Macquarie University Special Education Centre (MUSEC), the centre for research and teaching in special education, enjoys a national and international reputation for the quality of its research, its excellence in postgraduate teaching and its contribution to program development in the area of Special Education.
The staff of MUSEC include special educators, psychologists, teachers, therapists and researchers, backed by technical and administrative support staff. Centre staff are involved in a variety of research projects, both on and off campus, focusing on the learning and behaviour difficulties of young children and school students with special needs and disabilities. Complementary program development ensures that research findings are translated into practical applications for implementation by teachers working with children with special needs in both regular and special schools.
MUSEC currently offers four postgraduate certificates in Special Education, a Postgraduate Diploma and a Master of Special Education by coursework study, in addition to higher research degrees at masters and doctoral level.
This year, the MUSEC Symposium, Applying the Response to Intervention Model with Low-Progress Readers (The work of the MultiLit Research Unit at MUSEC) will be held on November 5, 2011 (Saturday) from 9:30am to 12:00pm.
There is no charge to attend the MUSEC Symposium.
The program for the symposium is as follows:
9:30am - Kevin Wheldall: Introduction: What is Response to Intervention? (10 mins)
Professor Kevin Wheldall has been Professor of Education at MUSEC since 1990 and is the Director of the MULTILIT Research Unit. Kevin has been elected a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia, the International Academy for Research in Learning Disabilities, the British Psychological Society and the College of Preceptors. He has received the Mona Tobias award of Learning Difficulties Australia and has been inducted into the Macquarie Innovators Hall of Fame. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2011 for “service to education as an academic and researcher, particularly in the areas of learning and behavioural difficulties, and through the design and implementation of innovative literacy programs”.
9:40am - Meree Reynolds, Kevin Wheldall and Alison Madelaine: Establishing provisional benchmarks for identifying young low-progress readers in Years 1 and 2. (25 mins)
After many years as a teacher, consultant and administrator in education, Meree completed her PhD at Macquarie University on Effective Literacy Intervention for Young Struggling Readers, seeking evidence about cost effective ways to get all students off to a good start in reading. Aspects of her research included investigating the effectiveness of MINILIT and establishing benchmarks of progress for students in years one and two in NSW schools. Meree also has a MA in Special Education and a BA, majoring in education and history, both from Macquarie University. She also has a Teachers Certificate from Wagga Wagga Teachers' College.
Dr. Alison Madelaine is a Lecturer at Macquarie University Special Education Centre and teaches postgraduate units in Effective Literacy Instruction and Special Education Research Methods. She completed her doctorate on "Curriculum-based measurement of reading and teacher judgment of reading performance". Her current academic interests include reading instruction, reading fluency, book levelling and curriculum-based measurement of reading and writing. Alison has also had classroom experience teaching disadvantaged students with learning disabilities in South Carolina, USA.
10:05am - Alison Madelaine, Kevin Wheldall and Meree Reynolds: The role of curriculum-based measurement of reading within the Response to Intervention model. (25 mins)
10:30am - Morning tea
10:50am - Jennifer Buckingham, Kevin Wheldall and Robyn Beaman: Randomised controlled trials of Tier 2 small group reading interventions for young and older low-progress readers. (25 mins)
Jennifer Buckingham is currently undertaking doctoral research on literacy and social disadvantage. She is trialing the new small group MINILIT and MULTILIT programs with socially disadvantaged low progress readers in the primary school setting. For the last decade, Jennifer has been working as a policy researcher at the Centre for Independent Studies specialising in school education, and also spent a year as the schools editor at The Australian newspaper.
Dr. Robyn Beaman-Wheldall is a Research Fellow at MUSEC and is also Deputy Director of the MULTILIT Research Unit. Robyn has been extensively involved in the development of MULTILIT since its inception in 1995. A current focus of Robyn's research work is improving the educational outcomes of Indigenous students. Her other research interests include positive classroom behaviour management and effective literacy interventions for low-progress readers.
11:15am - Robyn Beaman, Kevin Wheldall, Alison Madelaine, Saskia Kohnen, Meree Reynolds and Sarah McMurtry: Meeting the needs of Aboriginal low-progress readers in remote communities. (25 mins)
11:40am - Q & A
Registration is essential. Please e-mail Natalie Watson by October 31, 2011 (Monday). Her e-mail is natalie.watson@mq.edu.au
Friday, October 14, 2011
Thursday, October 06, 2011
AMSA Welcome Afternoon Tea
Recently, AMSA held an afternoon tea to welcome new members. It was a chance for us on the committee to meet both old and new members in person, touch base and to make new connections. We also took the opportunity to introduce ourselves to everyone, and also to welcome our new webmaster on board.
The grey weather failed to dampen the liveliness of the event, which we held at the Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts (SMSA). Judging from the constant chattering, with little groups discussing their own topics of interests spread across the function rooms, the event served its socialising purpose.
And the food - fried noodles were plentiful and who could resist the home-made bright red angku kuih, as well as the red and pink kuih lapis?
Our lovely Singaporean members Christine and her husband who came all the way from the Central Coast could not agree more that the kuih were finger licking good!
The afternoon tea would not have had such tempting food without the help of members, Rose and Jennifer who volunteered their time and energy. A very big thank you to them.
There were also 'story-telling' sessions, where Elvan (our president), Evelyn (our vice president), James (the other vice president) and Tony (long-time member) shared their experiences of living in Australia, the country they have called home for some time.
Elvan shared his experience of living with a Christian Lebanese family and how living with students was a terrible idea.
Evelyn recalled how she learnt to use a lawnmower and to care for her children without a domestic helper.
James advised us uni students to challenge with knowledge, to believe in our own abilities.
Tony made us laugh with how he was a lecturer with a difference.
A special guest of mine did a little promotional talk for his upcoming big event, as well. Yes, Logann, the big guy behind the upcoming Malaysia Festival spent a few minutes marketing his event.
I would also like to thank the newly elected Executive Committee of the Malaysian Students' Association (MSA) from Macquarie University. Choong Hern (the president), Siew Lee (the vice president) and Vijey (the secretary), thank you for coming all the way! Hopefully, we will manage to establish a partnership of some sort to have MSA involved in AMSA events, or vice versa,in future.
I made a new friend, Li Ping, whom I have already invited over for dinner with Xin Wen and added to our support network.
Now, who would like to put their name down for the next AMSA event, Pamper Day? It will be at SMSA again on Saturday, October 29, 2011 from 2:15pm to 5:00pm. As the name of the event suggests, it will be a day of pampering the self, with facial and make-up demonstrations for the ladies, and for the men, Swedish and chi trigger point massage.
Why not come to relax and make some new friends while you are at it?
The grey weather failed to dampen the liveliness of the event, which we held at the Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts (SMSA). Judging from the constant chattering, with little groups discussing their own topics of interests spread across the function rooms, the event served its socialising purpose.
And the food - fried noodles were plentiful and who could resist the home-made bright red angku kuih, as well as the red and pink kuih lapis?
Our lovely Singaporean members Christine and her husband who came all the way from the Central Coast could not agree more that the kuih were finger licking good!
The afternoon tea would not have had such tempting food without the help of members, Rose and Jennifer who volunteered their time and energy. A very big thank you to them.
There were also 'story-telling' sessions, where Elvan (our president), Evelyn (our vice president), James (the other vice president) and Tony (long-time member) shared their experiences of living in Australia, the country they have called home for some time.
Elvan shared his experience of living with a Christian Lebanese family and how living with students was a terrible idea.
Evelyn recalled how she learnt to use a lawnmower and to care for her children without a domestic helper.
James advised us uni students to challenge with knowledge, to believe in our own abilities.
Tony made us laugh with how he was a lecturer with a difference.
A special guest of mine did a little promotional talk for his upcoming big event, as well. Yes, Logann, the big guy behind the upcoming Malaysia Festival spent a few minutes marketing his event.
I would also like to thank the newly elected Executive Committee of the Malaysian Students' Association (MSA) from Macquarie University. Choong Hern (the president), Siew Lee (the vice president) and Vijey (the secretary), thank you for coming all the way! Hopefully, we will manage to establish a partnership of some sort to have MSA involved in AMSA events, or vice versa,in future.
I made a new friend, Li Ping, whom I have already invited over for dinner with Xin Wen and added to our support network.
Now, who would like to put their name down for the next AMSA event, Pamper Day? It will be at SMSA again on Saturday, October 29, 2011 from 2:15pm to 5:00pm. As the name of the event suggests, it will be a day of pampering the self, with facial and make-up demonstrations for the ladies, and for the men, Swedish and chi trigger point massage.
Why not come to relax and make some new friends while you are at it?
Sunday, October 02, 2011
Malaysia Festival 2011
Malaysia Festival two-thousand-eleven, a taste of cultural heaven.
Enlivened by the colours of the Malaysian flag, this year's logo symbolises Malaysia’s favourite drink – the Teh Tarik! The flow of the tea takes the form of iconic landmarks across Sydney and Malaysia, expressing the idea of pouring and sharing the vibrant Malaysian culture with the Australian community.
This would be my eighth M-Fest and my good friend, Logann (the Chief Executive Producer of the event), promises it to be the best. Well, judging from this year's website, it certainly does look like it will be the best!
Organised by the Malaysian student community in Sydney, it will be held at Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour, like it has for the past years. This year marks the 21st year of M-Fest and I am looking forward to the cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs Alvin Quah and Billy Law of MasterChef fame.
The event will see 15 of Sydney’s best Malaysian restaurants, including Kopitiam, Mamak, Café Kasturi, Jimmy’s Recipe, Aseana Food Village, Chinta Ria, PappaRoti, Jackie M and Abang Sam, serving traditional Malaysian favourites like the roti, nasi lemak and laksa.
Performances at the event range from traditional Malay, Chinese and Indian dances to today’s celebrated music. This year’s line-up features Malaysian artistes by invitation. Perhaps the most exciting bit about M-Fest is the raffle prize draw with many attractive prizes to be won. And of course, it includes the much wanted return MAS ticket to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Other prizes include food vouchers from M-Fest sponsor restaurants and food hampers.
Hopefully, I would be able to meet some old friends there, as well, as I have managed to in the past.
Only one week to go, people! Sunday, October 9, 2011 will be the day! Come along to this FREE event!
Enlivened by the colours of the Malaysian flag, this year's logo symbolises Malaysia’s favourite drink – the Teh Tarik! The flow of the tea takes the form of iconic landmarks across Sydney and Malaysia, expressing the idea of pouring and sharing the vibrant Malaysian culture with the Australian community.
This would be my eighth M-Fest and my good friend, Logann (the Chief Executive Producer of the event), promises it to be the best. Well, judging from this year's website, it certainly does look like it will be the best!
Organised by the Malaysian student community in Sydney, it will be held at Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour, like it has for the past years. This year marks the 21st year of M-Fest and I am looking forward to the cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs Alvin Quah and Billy Law of MasterChef fame.
The event will see 15 of Sydney’s best Malaysian restaurants, including Kopitiam, Mamak, Café Kasturi, Jimmy’s Recipe, Aseana Food Village, Chinta Ria, PappaRoti, Jackie M and Abang Sam, serving traditional Malaysian favourites like the roti, nasi lemak and laksa.
Performances at the event range from traditional Malay, Chinese and Indian dances to today’s celebrated music. This year’s line-up features Malaysian artistes by invitation. Perhaps the most exciting bit about M-Fest is the raffle prize draw with many attractive prizes to be won. And of course, it includes the much wanted return MAS ticket to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Other prizes include food vouchers from M-Fest sponsor restaurants and food hampers.
Hopefully, I would be able to meet some old friends there, as well, as I have managed to in the past.
Only one week to go, people! Sunday, October 9, 2011 will be the day! Come along to this FREE event!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Creating New Frontiers in Leadership 2011
Children's Services Central is sponsoring an early childhood leadership conference and one of my lovely lecturers, Associate Professor Manjula Waniganayake is working with Anthony Semann from Semann & Slattery to organise this. Last year, the first of these conferences was held and it was a huge success (based on participants' feedback).
This year is particularly exciting because Jillian Rodd, the pioneer Australian leadership researcher has agreed to be a keynote. Some issues that will be addressed include:
• gender and leadership
• deconstructing leadership
• Indigenous leadership
• power and leadership
• leadership history
• culture and leadership
Held on November 22, 2011 from 9:00am to 5:00pm at the SMC Conference and Function Centre (66 Goulburn Street, Sydney, NSW 2000), registration starts at 8:15am and costs $170 per person.
Places are limited so early registration is recommended. Bookings are now open at http://www.cscentral.org.au/
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Slipping through our fingers...
Dad sent me a photo of the extended family at Nilai Memorial Park this morning. They were there for a special ceremony for Grandma.
Everyone looked cheery in the photo. Yet, the longer I looked at it, the more I could not help feel sadness seeping through.
It reminded me of all the other goodbyes that I have bade in my life. The first was back in 2003, one week before Valentine's Day. Just three hours before Dad relayed the news of great-grandma's demise, Josh broke up with me. My swollen eyes did not raise any curiosity with family members at the wake. The first goodbye I have ever had.
My second goodbye was to Grandpa, who suffered a stroke for ten years.
It was 5:30am. The phone rang. I was wondering if I should get up to answer. It rang thrice. My mum answered the call. Or was it dad? Not sure. Mum opened my door and stormed in, saying, 'Your gong gong passed away'. I literally jumped out of bed. I asked, 'Are we going back now?' I came out of my room to see dad still standing at the phone. 'Sigh, he's such a naughty man, isn't he?' I smiled.
It will be the first day of the new lunar year on Sunday and he couldn't make it. Oh, how true the old Chinese saying is - they will not make it to see the next celebration.
I will be going back with dad (if he wants me to, that is). Bro is still sleeping, oblivious to what has happened. Mum is rushing to pick Jeffrey and Angel.
Hence, there will not be updates until I return from Temerloh. Until then, take care and Happy Chinese New Year.
Unlike my younger cousins, my brother and I had the privilege of spending holidays with Grandpa when he was still fit, healthy and strong. He took us to Singapore, Penang and Langkawi. I used to watch him as he watered his prized orchids and crafted his bougainvillea plants. He used to explain what he was doing while he carved the ornaments that went onto the cages for his singing birds. I looked forward to his warm smiles and big hugs. I especially miss how he would carry me very often throughout the day because I was his first grandchild. I still have the gold anklet he gave me as a toddler, which I now wear as a bracelet.
Within the year, another teary parting.
Grandma was admitted into hospital at 1:30am. I was suspecting something as dad's mobile rang a few times throughout the night, which is unusual. He was speaking very softly and did not want me to know what was happening.
The doctors would not operate and told us to let her go. All the 5 siblings (my dad, uncle and 3 aunts) all also agreed to let her go. She is 72 and who's to say she did not lead a good life? Well, it depends on what good actually means to you guys.
Grandma is expected to leave today. She was given 24 hours. She's still sleeping peacefully and according to Dad, she's breathing smoothly and has a steady heartbeat.
Why must I have my IELTS speaking test today?!?! I'll be heading over to the hospital as soon as I finish and I honestly hope I will make it to say my goodbyes.Grandma left to join Grandpa and Great-grandma for an early Christmas this morning at 3:10am. All her 5 children were at her bedside, along with Mum, Bro and myself. I am glad that I managed to make it to see her breathe her last breath. It was a peaceful passing. Thank you for all your well wishes and concern.
I will be back in KL late Sunday night. See you guys then.
I remember how I was unable to control my crying as I walked out of church into Dad's arms. In my head, I was thinking, "Oh no, very soon I will be like my other friends with all grandparents gone."
I was also trying to imagine what Dad was feeling. Both parents gone within the year. He took it extremely well. Made me tell myself that I should have the same attitude when the time comes.
Similar to 2006, Mum bade goodbye to both her parents this year.
I was shopping in IKEA when my mobile phone vibrated in the right pocket of my black Giordano hoodie. It was an SMS from Dad:Yesterday, mum went to... On the way, she dropped in two see Grandparents. Both alert, she said. I'm in Tawau today. She just called to say that Grandpa has passed away.I went blank for a bit and because I was in IKEA, I tried to contain myself. I did well until Mum returned my call and said this at the end of the conversation:No need to fly back, okay? Gong-gong can't see or hear you anymore. When you come home next time, we will bring you to pay your respects to him, okay?I replied with a mono-syllabled nod. I had to turn away to wipe the tears that were bulging at the edge of my eyelids.
Grandpa,
I will always remember the added festive atmosphere of Chinese New Year that you never fail to create by coming home for reunion dinner half drunk from drinking beer at your mahjong sessions down at the kopitiam singing at the top of your endearing tenor voice.
I will always remember my first and only ride on your pink Mini Bus (yes, those that used to conquer the roads before RapidKL and Metrobus).
I will always remember the combination pork porridge you packed from that porridge stall at the Pasar Besar Serdang to let me have as comfort food when I had fever.
I will always remember your jovial character and how you laid on the cool tiled floors with one leg crossed on the other while reading the papers.
I will always remember how you would jump up and ask, "Have you eaten? Want something to eat?" every time I come to visit you and called out, "Gong-gong!"
I am proud to have had the chance to be your granddaughter. May I have this honour again next life, please?Love you, Grandpa.
Unfortunately, I was not there for Grandpa's because his leave was sudden. And just as I was gaining momentum in studies, another bit the dust.
Exactly ten weeks ago, while I was shopping in IKEA for things to move into where I am living at now, I received a call from home telling me about the passing of Grandpa. Ten weeks later now, I am back home.I have been home for ten days. The last ten days of her life.***In the afternoon on the day after the evening I arrived, I drove Mum and 小阿姨 to University Malaya Specialist Centre (UMSC). The hospital was crisp clean and adequately decorated. I prepared myself as best as possible with Mum prepping me,"Tell you first ar, 婆婆 looks very different to the last time you saw her."Gulp.***I turned the knob to push the door open."婆婆!""Oi..."She did not realise that it was me. I called out again."婆婆...""唉, 你回来了？"A big smile flashed across her face. Her tired eyes sparkled in the light.It was heart-breaking to see how much effort it took her to breathe. And when she coughed, it felt like every ounce of energy left in her would be drained away.A young doctor, Dr. Tan, came in to talk to everyone for a good half hour. Nice chap from Penang, he made sure she received everything she requested. He managed to get her approval to have her stay until the latest Friday, so that he could ascertain the morphine dosage that was required.She laughed at jokes. She ate the slices of watermelon she asked for. She tried to sleep.On the way home, 小阿姨 noted that it has been some time since anyone saw her in such a happy mood."她看到竫竫很开心."Who would not be happy to see someone they have not seen in a long time?***The next day, she suddenly requested to return home. No, demanded. And that was just 15 minutes after she told Dr. Tan that she would continue her stay at UMSC. We all knew, her time is near.I rushed over with Dad as soon as I locked up the centre. The ambulance was still there. Two of my aunts were red in the face from their crying. 小阿姨 told me to say some nice things to her, to let her know what a wonderful person she has been."婆婆很好的。婆婆从小看着我大的。我很喜欢婆婆煮的汤。。。"My voice quivered. Tears welled up in my eyes. I had to quickly exit the room before my tears rolled down my cheeks.***Thursday and Friday were days that passed by slowly for us. She drifted in and out of consciousness and her breathing was heavier than before. It was obvious that it was getting harder and harder for her to breathe.She was in her best condition that weekend. With Cousin Meng Cheng bringing her baby Kevin to visit his great-grandmother, as well as Cousin Pei Qi with her baby Yang Yang, the atmosphere lightened up significantly. She finally got to see the fourth generation of her family. I remember telling Mum on the way back to the centre to be prepared even more.***Mum rang to ask where I was. I told her that I was working at home and asked if she needed me to be at the centre. She said that I should stay home to get some work done and would ring me only if she would not be able to make it back to the centre in time to lock up.6:25pm. I felt something amiss. Mum has not rang me. Why did she not require my help? I rang her and heard her all groggy from the powerful effect of the medication she consumed."Stay there. I am coming down right now. 10 minutes."I have never seen Mum in such state. She did not even have strength to walk and talk properly. I felt absolutely helpless.***Bro came home to tell Dad that he just visited and things do not seem very good over that side.***"I think we had better dapau some food to bring to your Mum first then only deposit the money.""Okay.""Wah, so many cars today? Everyone must be here tonight!""Hm, something's not right."***"Mummy didn't call you?""No..."I rushed into the room. I quickly kneeled down and joined in the chanting."南无啊弥陀佛... 南无啊弥陀佛... 南无啊弥陀佛... "45 minutes later, there was no movement.***10:00pm, August 3, 2011, Grandma ended her painful battle with lung cancer with many us in the room with her.
As I receive more and more invitations to marriage registration ceremonies, weddings and wedding dinners, it hit me even harder that regardless of how prepared we are for anything, everyone and everything has to move on. Like it or not, there is no way to stop time.
Slowly but surely, there will be more goodbyes to loved ones.
As I look again at the photo that Dad sent, there is no denying that time is slipping through our fingers. My time with Mum and Dad is slipping through...
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Just surreal
It is not everyday that you meet a person that makes you feel even tinier than how small you already feel. Have you met such a person? If you have, how often and in what ways do they make you feel so? What changes did you notice in yourself (if there was any) in their presence?
I spent the last 29 hours with such a person.
I probably have met many such persons in my soon-to-be 28 years of life on Earth but none with his character. Okay, and (cough) charisma.
It took some getting used to – to the way he talks, the mixed English slangs in his tone, his solid gaze and the portrayed certainty in his thoughts. Oh, and his wicked sarcasm.
Incredibly humbling would be how I would describe my initial feelings when I met him for the first time after exchanging e-mails for six months. That is in addition to how surreal the whole episode was. Is.
This had me wondering about why I felt small in his presence. He is like you and I, a normal human being with flesh and bone, with feelings and hormones. He has his flaws, too, so was it his confidence? Was it because he is a ‘somebody’? I am not quite sure.
I find that I err in the presence of such persons. And I think for silly reasons. Why would I, or should I feel pressured, especially in his presence? After all, we do not know each other (e-mail conversations do not count as getting to know a person, especially when they were initiated to arrange logistics) and there are no expectations in our behaviour patterns. But I suppose, it happens constantly, and even more so when we psych ourselves into believing that this one person is better than who we are.
And I did. I did believe that he is better. Well, he certainly has a more fertile streak of creativity than I do to step out of the box. He has a stronger sense of determination and courage to have made the decision to do what he is doing now. He has more life experience to ‘just take the risk’. Or at least, these were the qualities that I managed to observe in the short time I spent with him.
However, also within this time span, snippets of him made me think that maybe he is not better, just different but in an extremely interesting manner. I may have confused the two. Is a person who dares to step out of the box, to not conform, a ‘better’ person just because we do not dare to do the same? He would argue with me on this but no, I do not think that the former is better than the latter, just different.
There is a myriad of uncountable differences between each individual that comes into our lives. I choose to learn from my observations (however much I get to do) of each of them – to try to incorporate the positives while not emulating the negatives. I feel that these observations also make me more sensitive of my own shortcomings and make me strive even harder to improve.
Regardless of how he made me feel, the past 29 (now 30) hours have been surreal. It was not exactly dreamlike but erm, well, hard to describe in words. I suppose, put simply, it was just unusual to finally see a person for real after so long. Everything has been pretty surreal.
To meet him in person.
To see his Styrofoam cups.
To have him draw in my room.
To have him render me totally speechless by telling me that I made him feel like a hooker because I would pay for his bus fare.
And also by telling me that I enjoy stating the obvious.
To be able to visualise him in my mind when I read his blog posts.
I would like to thank him for have given me the opportunity to share a day of my life with him. It is a scary thing to decide to live with a houseful of people whom you do not know so yea, thank you.
I really do hope that he enjoyed his short stay with us because I surely did. My housemate did. My ex-housemates did. It was just surreal.
I spent the last 29 hours with such a person.
I probably have met many such persons in my soon-to-be 28 years of life on Earth but none with his character. Okay, and (cough) charisma.
It took some getting used to – to the way he talks, the mixed English slangs in his tone, his solid gaze and the portrayed certainty in his thoughts. Oh, and his wicked sarcasm.
Incredibly humbling would be how I would describe my initial feelings when I met him for the first time after exchanging e-mails for six months. That is in addition to how surreal the whole episode was. Is.
This had me wondering about why I felt small in his presence. He is like you and I, a normal human being with flesh and bone, with feelings and hormones. He has his flaws, too, so was it his confidence? Was it because he is a ‘somebody’? I am not quite sure.
I find that I err in the presence of such persons. And I think for silly reasons. Why would I, or should I feel pressured, especially in his presence? After all, we do not know each other (e-mail conversations do not count as getting to know a person, especially when they were initiated to arrange logistics) and there are no expectations in our behaviour patterns. But I suppose, it happens constantly, and even more so when we psych ourselves into believing that this one person is better than who we are.
And I did. I did believe that he is better. Well, he certainly has a more fertile streak of creativity than I do to step out of the box. He has a stronger sense of determination and courage to have made the decision to do what he is doing now. He has more life experience to ‘just take the risk’. Or at least, these were the qualities that I managed to observe in the short time I spent with him.
However, also within this time span, snippets of him made me think that maybe he is not better, just different but in an extremely interesting manner. I may have confused the two. Is a person who dares to step out of the box, to not conform, a ‘better’ person just because we do not dare to do the same? He would argue with me on this but no, I do not think that the former is better than the latter, just different.
There is a myriad of uncountable differences between each individual that comes into our lives. I choose to learn from my observations (however much I get to do) of each of them – to try to incorporate the positives while not emulating the negatives. I feel that these observations also make me more sensitive of my own shortcomings and make me strive even harder to improve.
Regardless of how he made me feel, the past 29 (now 30) hours have been surreal. It was not exactly dreamlike but erm, well, hard to describe in words. I suppose, put simply, it was just unusual to finally see a person for real after so long. Everything has been pretty surreal.
To meet him in person.
To see his Styrofoam cups.
To have him draw in my room.
To have him render me totally speechless by telling me that I made him feel like a hooker because I would pay for his bus fare.
And also by telling me that I enjoy stating the obvious.
To be able to visualise him in my mind when I read his blog posts.
I would like to thank him for have given me the opportunity to share a day of my life with him. It is a scary thing to decide to live with a houseful of people whom you do not know so yea, thank you.
I really do hope that he enjoyed his short stay with us because I surely did. My housemate did. My ex-housemates did. It was just surreal.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!
A new year, in a new environment with new faces. Good old Miss Moon still shone brightly from above. This year, a simple cheese-baked black pepper beef rice dinner was prepared by yours truly and was enjoyed with housie Jie, PR May Hsien, TR Rachie, newly appointed MSA Social Aaron and his extremely sociable and has-been-to every-event-there-is sidekick, Jeremy.
Dinner was fun mainly due to how the three young ones filled the house with laughter and plenty of lameness.
It was pure entertainment to watch them squabble over everything. Literally.
Oh, and also that little episode where there was a 'How To Use A Lighter 101' tutorial.
Big thank you to Jeremy for getting the Kee Wah Deluxe Mini Mooncakes Gift Box!
Dinner was fun mainly due to how the three young ones filled the house with laughter and plenty of lameness.
It was pure entertainment to watch them squabble over everything. Literally.
Oh, and also that little episode where there was a 'How To Use A Lighter 101' tutorial.
Big thank you to Jeremy for getting the Kee Wah Deluxe Mini Mooncakes Gift Box!
Here is to wishing everybody
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!
中秋节快乐！
Friday, September 09, 2011
International Forum for Child Welfare 2011
The International Forum for Child Welfare (IFCW), along with OzChild Children Australia Inc., Anglicare Victoria, The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare Inc. and ForChildren (Australia) Inc. are delighted to bring you the 2011 International Forum for Child Welfare.
The WorldForum will be held from October 18 to 21 at the World renowned Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and provides a wonderful opportunity to come together with other leaders, practitioners and managers from around the World to share information and focus on common issues. The theme for the 2011 WorldForum is ‘Education and Children's Wellbeing - Philosophy, Policy and Practice’. This theme will explore the needs of children and examine the importance of education in enabling and equipping children from around the world to reach their potential.
The WorldForum program is going to be captivating with international keynote speaker Baroness Susan Greenfield from the United Kingdom presenting on the topic of ‘Education and Children’s Wellbeing’. Baroness Greenfield is a Professor of Pharmacology at Oxford and Director of the Institute for the Future of the Mind at the James Martin 21st Century School.
The Deputy Representative for Representative for Children and Youth, Mr Jeremy Berland is another presenter at this year’s WorldForum. Mr Berland has significant experience in the field of child welfare and is committed to improving the lives of children and youth.
Professor Alan Hayes is the Director of the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) and has conducted research in the area of children and families. His work focuses on disadvantage and he has a particular interest in prevention and early intervention. Professor Hayes will bring a wealth of knowledge to his presentation at the WorldForum.
Australian Lillian Holt who was the first Aboriginal Executive Officer to the National Aboriginal Education Committee, Edel Silan from Save the Children, Fabia Shah from AusAID and Ethiopian Abeiy Alemneh Gebre who attended the 2010 WorldForum will also be presenting at the WorldForum.
With the high calibre of presenters, enthralling themes to be discussed and entertaining social events, the WorldForum is sure to be a memorable event. The Organising Committee look forward to welcoming you to the WorldForum in October, 2011.
Registration is now open for the WorldForum and delegates can register using the online registration form located on the WorldForum website www.worldforum2011.org. Website registration is strongly encouraged. For those without access to the internet, please complete the registration from which can be downloaded from the WorldForum website and return to WorldForum Managers.
Standard Registration is priced at $600.00 while Student and Day Registrations are at $350.00.
The Welcome Reception will be held on Tuesday, the 18th of October, 2011 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. This social event is included only in the full registration fee for delegates. Day registrants must purchase a ticket at $90.00 per person to attend.
For further details regarding the 2011 WorldForum, please visit the WorldForum website www.worldforum2011.org.
There will also be an Aussie Barbeque on Thursday, the 20th of October, 2011 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm at the MCG. This is an optional social event. Tickets can be purchased for $85.00 per person.
Saturday, September 03, 2011
10 signs your child cannot hear
From the latest issue of MQ Staff News was a small write-up dedicated to children with hearing difficulties.
Children acting out or displaying behaviours that seem defiant could actually be showing signs of a hearing problem. Audiologist Dr. Mridula Sharma has a list of ten signs that your child may be experiencing difficulty hearing:
Children acting out or displaying behaviours that seem defiant could actually be showing signs of a hearing problem. Audiologist Dr. Mridula Sharma has a list of ten signs that your child may be experiencing difficulty hearing:
- Turns up the volume of TV or radio to a disturbing level.
- A delayed reaction or no response when called.
- Suffers from frequent colds, fever or ear infections.
- Frequently pulling at or playing with their ear.
- Often overactive, uncooperative or cranky.
- Withdrawn when interacting with other children.
- Will only respond to direct questions when facing you.
- Has trouble paying attention and does not follow directions.
- Frequently asks for words or phrases to be repeated.
- Tends to speak loudly.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Happy 54th Merdeka Day!
One of my most well-loved students updated his status on Facebook with this statement:
Being a newly qualified pilot for a low-cost carrier in our neighbouring island country, he has always had a strong connection to home, further fuelled by his studies and training overseas. Now that he is officially allowed to fly his own planeful of passengers around the world, I am assuming that his urge to have roti canai and Milo ais at any time of the day will grow. Hm, or pan mee from that stall in front of the Sri Kembangan high school.
On a more personal note, I have not really been a big fan of Merdeka-related activities, other than the public holiday that it gave. If you consider watching the annual Merdeka parade on the black box in the living room one of them, then that would be the only thing I do in the Merdeka spirit.
I know I have mentioned this before elsewhere but I am going to say it again here. I think that absence really does make the heart grow fonder. Only after leaving the country have I found the Merdeka spirit growing inside of me. Being away from all the festivities in Malaysia has made me miss 'being Malaysian'.
We are no less Malaysian anywhere we go but we are most Malaysian when we are in Malaysia. We adapt to the context that we are in, redefining who we are from the way we present ourselves, the type of English that we use and the way we dress, to list a few.
The recent Bersih 2.0 rally that took place around the world a few months ago has helped in building this 'extra strong' feeling of love for the country. The power of the Internet - remember the powerful message that was sent out by the photo of Aunty Bersih, Aunty Annie Ooi? For the want of a better government for the love for the country.
Also, thank goodness for the Internet, I get to watch all those tear-jerking, tug-at-the-heartstrings TV adverts on YouTube. Like these ones by Astro, Primeworks Studios and Petronas:
Haha, I would not be surprised if my colleagues, lecturers and students who walk past my office while I watch these would wonder why I smile to myself while staring into my flatscreen. I must look rather silly!
home is & will always be where the heart is, HAPPY 54TH BIRTHDAY MALAYSIA!!! ♥ - Chee Kin
Being a newly qualified pilot for a low-cost carrier in our neighbouring island country, he has always had a strong connection to home, further fuelled by his studies and training overseas. Now that he is officially allowed to fly his own planeful of passengers around the world, I am assuming that his urge to have roti canai and Milo ais at any time of the day will grow. Hm, or pan mee from that stall in front of the Sri Kembangan high school.
On a more personal note, I have not really been a big fan of Merdeka-related activities, other than the public holiday that it gave. If you consider watching the annual Merdeka parade on the black box in the living room one of them, then that would be the only thing I do in the Merdeka spirit.
I know I have mentioned this before elsewhere but I am going to say it again here. I think that absence really does make the heart grow fonder. Only after leaving the country have I found the Merdeka spirit growing inside of me. Being away from all the festivities in Malaysia has made me miss 'being Malaysian'.
We are no less Malaysian anywhere we go but we are most Malaysian when we are in Malaysia. We adapt to the context that we are in, redefining who we are from the way we present ourselves, the type of English that we use and the way we dress, to list a few.
The recent Bersih 2.0 rally that took place around the world a few months ago has helped in building this 'extra strong' feeling of love for the country. The power of the Internet - remember the powerful message that was sent out by the photo of Aunty Bersih, Aunty Annie Ooi? For the want of a better government for the love for the country.
Also, thank goodness for the Internet, I get to watch all those tear-jerking, tug-at-the-heartstrings TV adverts on YouTube. Like these ones by Astro, Primeworks Studios and Petronas:
Haha, I would not be surprised if my colleagues, lecturers and students who walk past my office while I watch these would wonder why I smile to myself while staring into my flatscreen. I must look rather silly!
In full Malaysian pride, I wish my dearest tanahair a very
Happy 54th Merdeka Day!
Happy 54th Merdeka Day!
Monday, August 29, 2011
Selamat Hari Raya!
I may not be Malay nor Muslim but I am Malaysian. We celebrate everything, do we not?
Another Raya away from home.
I suppose this is the feeling that builds up the the balik kampung excitement for many. After a long period of time away from family and kin and the month-long puasa, nothing beats the anticipation of familiar faces, sounds and smell.
Another year without ketupat, rendang, lemang, kuih raya and duit raya.
Okay, okay, I know the duit raya is mainly for kids but hey, if I am still given some, I will not reject! And ahem, yes, I know I love my food. But how can you resist ketupat?
And rendang?
And lemang?
And kuih raya?
Another year of getting the Raya feel over YouTube and Facebook.
Doing this nevers fails to make me all emotional and homesick. I still do it regardless. This year, I particular like the Dear Malaysians campaign by DiGi, in reminding us all to ask for forgiveness for the wrongdoings that we have committed. By the end of the song, "For Forgiveness", sang by young talented Malaysian Min'Z, I had tears welling up in my eyes.
Another Raya away from home.
I suppose this is the feeling that builds up the the balik kampung excitement for many. After a long period of time away from family and kin and the month-long puasa, nothing beats the anticipation of familiar faces, sounds and smell.
Another year without ketupat, rendang, lemang, kuih raya and duit raya.
Okay, okay, I know the duit raya is mainly for kids but hey, if I am still given some, I will not reject! And ahem, yes, I know I love my food. But how can you resist ketupat?
 |
| Source: http://asmaliana.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/ketupat.jpg |
And rendang?
 |
| Source: http://www.eglobaltravelmedia.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Rendang_crt_indonesiatogodotcom.jpg |
And lemang?
 |
| Source: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lliol09w2Gc/UDSD82X46nI/AAAAAAAAAh4/pXuaNICFUv4/s1600/lemang.jpg |
And kuih raya?
Doing this nevers fails to make me all emotional and homesick. I still do it regardless. This year, I particular like the Dear Malaysians campaign by DiGi, in reminding us all to ask for forgiveness for the wrongdoings that we have committed. By the end of the song, "For Forgiveness", sang by young talented Malaysian Min'Z, I had tears welling up in my eyes.
Here is to wishing all my Muslimin and Musliman friends:
Selamat Hari Raya,
maaf zahir batin!
Selamat Hari Raya,
maaf zahir batin!
Friday, August 26, 2011
Malacca Straits on Broadway
The Strait of Malacca was a prominent passageway for spice traders from the Middle East and South Asia in their economy-generating travels to South-East Asia and East Asia. This stretch of water between the Malay Peninsular and the Indonesian island of Sumatra was globally known, especially during the glory days of the Malacca Sultanate, after which it is named.
As Malaysians, how would a restaurant named after such prominence (especially after we have all the Malacca-related stuff drilled into our heads during our high school days of History) not catch our attention? However, I would have to admit that the restaurant is rather hidden. But since it is located within The Quadrant which partly houses UTS students and partly office quarters, I suppose the problem of crowd flow is not big.
Cosy in ambience, patrons to the restaurant are welcomed by an "Alamak!" sign on the wall. 'Alamak' is the Malaysian equivalent of 'Oh no', 'Oh gosh', 'Darn' or 'Bugger'. I wonder why they have it there, though.
We giggled ourselves silly upon hearing the broken Manglish sprinkled with Hokkien words coming from the kitchen. Ah, Malaysian feel from the lingo, check! After browsing through their purple and green menu, we decided on having pulut panggang ($10.50) for starters. Wrapped in fragrant banana leaf and grilled, a roll of spiced glutinous rice with dried shrimp awaited.
Okay, I admit this is a poor photo of the inside. It so does not reflect the fragrance and spiciness of the dried shrimp and the 'just right' texture of the glutinous rice hot off the grill.
The Hainanese chicken rice ($9.50), on the other hand, was less impressive. The steamed chicken was far from the succulent, the rice too dry and not sufficiently fragrant. Their home-made chilli sauce made up for it, though.
No complains on the wat tan hor ($11.00), though! The generous serving of wok-seared flat rice noodles immersed in a creamish egg sauce with chicken and mixed (real) seafood deserved two thumbs up. Of course, best eaten with them pickled green chilli!
The meal was capped off with a bowl of ais kacang ($5.00), which they called air batu campur instead.
Hm, I still prefer those they make up at Sambal. However, not too bad a job by Chef Tan, the person behind this set up. The ex-chef of two other famous Malaysian restaurants in Sydney - The Malaya and Neptune Palace, he is also formerly the Executive Chef of Malaysia Airlines (MAS), the national carrier of Malaysia.
If you are breaking fast during this soon-to-end Ramadhan, pay Chef Tan a visit at this halal joint of his.
Malacca Straits on Broadway
66 Mountain Street, Broadway, NSW 2007
Tel: +61 2 8021 7069
E-mail: malaccastraitsbroadway@yahoo.com
Monday to Saturday: 11:00am to 10:00pm
Cards welcome but with a minimum spend of $15
As Malaysians, how would a restaurant named after such prominence (especially after we have all the Malacca-related stuff drilled into our heads during our high school days of History) not catch our attention? However, I would have to admit that the restaurant is rather hidden. But since it is located within The Quadrant which partly houses UTS students and partly office quarters, I suppose the problem of crowd flow is not big.
Cosy in ambience, patrons to the restaurant are welcomed by an "Alamak!" sign on the wall. 'Alamak' is the Malaysian equivalent of 'Oh no', 'Oh gosh', 'Darn' or 'Bugger'. I wonder why they have it there, though.
We giggled ourselves silly upon hearing the broken Manglish sprinkled with Hokkien words coming from the kitchen. Ah, Malaysian feel from the lingo, check! After browsing through their purple and green menu, we decided on having pulut panggang ($10.50) for starters. Wrapped in fragrant banana leaf and grilled, a roll of spiced glutinous rice with dried shrimp awaited.
Okay, I admit this is a poor photo of the inside. It so does not reflect the fragrance and spiciness of the dried shrimp and the 'just right' texture of the glutinous rice hot off the grill.
The Hainanese chicken rice ($9.50), on the other hand, was less impressive. The steamed chicken was far from the succulent, the rice too dry and not sufficiently fragrant. Their home-made chilli sauce made up for it, though.
No complains on the wat tan hor ($11.00), though! The generous serving of wok-seared flat rice noodles immersed in a creamish egg sauce with chicken and mixed (real) seafood deserved two thumbs up. Of course, best eaten with them pickled green chilli!
The meal was capped off with a bowl of ais kacang ($5.00), which they called air batu campur instead.
Hm, I still prefer those they make up at Sambal. However, not too bad a job by Chef Tan, the person behind this set up. The ex-chef of two other famous Malaysian restaurants in Sydney - The Malaya and Neptune Palace, he is also formerly the Executive Chef of Malaysia Airlines (MAS), the national carrier of Malaysia.
If you are breaking fast during this soon-to-end Ramadhan, pay Chef Tan a visit at this halal joint of his.
Malacca Straits on Broadway
66 Mountain Street, Broadway, NSW 2007
Tel: +61 2 8021 7069
E-mail: malaccastraitsbroadway@yahoo.com
Monday to Saturday: 11:00am to 10:00pm
Cards welcome but with a minimum spend of $15
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Bagan
Bagan is the name of an ancient city in the Mandalay Division of Burma. The ruins of Bagan cover an area of 16 square miles and the majority of its buildings were built in the 11th to 13th century, during the time Bagan was the capital of the First Burmese Empire. As such, the restaurant had decor that attempted to reflect the rich history of its country (with a heavy Buddhist influence).
On their appetizer list included the following two dishes:
Green mango seasoning ($5.50), a great way to intrigue the taste buds! If you enjoy sour tastes, this is definitely your dish! And then the mains arrived, starting with their famous pork curry with green mango pickle ($8.50).
Okay, down the fat lane for sure now. Imagine rendang (okay, weird to have pork rendang) with a tinge of sweet and sour because of the mango. And spicy because of the curry. Yes, symphony of tastes - thumbs up, especially with the pork so tender!
The Bagan chicken ($12) was a little like honey chicken just done lots better. We even kept half to bring home.
I did not take down the name of this dish and the price of it but if my memory serves me correctly, it was salt and pepper bean curd and we totally loved it!
For the bean curd crazy like me, the fried bean curd with special chilli sauce ($10) is a must have. I remember one of us ordering another serve to takeaway for lunch the next day. I am salivating now thinking of the spicy sauce that layers the crunchy piping hot bean curd.
As we hardly buy fish to cook at home, we ordered one.
This steamed barramundi with lemon (market price), which was served on a stainless steel plate with a candle holder (what is the proper name for it, help?!) underneath brought back memories of us having dinner out at a 'dai chow' (大炒） Chinese restaurant. The sourness from the lemon in the sauce went really well with the spiciness of the chilli. We cleaned the entire plate.
Now, we cannot try new cuisine without having their dessert, can we?
We tried the Burmese version of sago pudding but with taro pieces in it. It was too sweet for my liking and had too much coconut milk but hey, if you like the combination of the two, it is not too bad.
Be sure to ring them up to reserve a table for yourself and friends, especially if you plan to eat there on a weekend.
Bagan Burmese Restaurant
Shop 4, 41, The Boulevarde, Strathfield, NSW 2135
Tel: +61 2 8746 0666
Tuesday to Sunday 12pm-10pm
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
We teach who we are
I am glad I dragged myself out of bed early this morning to attend the lecture at 8:00am. Since I told Clare that I would be there, I told myself not to create excuses. And so there I was at the lecture theatre with the other tutors and some fifty-odd students.
This morning, the lecture was presented by a guest lecturer, Dr. William De Jean. And it was one heck of a lecture! If every lecture was as interactive and hyped up as his was, I would attend every single one of them!
The lecture reminded me of some of the lectures that were conducted last year for the same unit. The first questions he asked us to answer were why we were going into teaching and our intentions for doing so. My reply was a slightly selfish one. I am going into teaching (I am teaching) because these is a special feeling of achievement and pride when someone I have taught comes back to say ‘thank you’. I find that such appreciation actually motivates me to be better. So, indirectly, teaching helps me better myself because like what Dr. De Jean kept emphasising throughout his lecture, we teach who we are.
He asked us to read aloud the following questions, which he took out of The Courage to Teach: Exploring the Inner Landscape of a Teacher's Life by Parker J. Palmer, an author, educator, and activist who focuses on issues in education, community, leadership, spirituality and social change:
The question we most commonly as is the “what” question – what subjects shall we teach?When the conversation goes a bit deeper, we ask the “how” question – what methods and techniques are required to teach well?Occasionally, when it goes deeper still, we ask the “why” question – for what purpose and to what ends do we teach?But seldom, if ever, do we ask the “who” question – who is the self that teaches?
He related that back to how we are educated (as opposed to trained) as teachers. We almost always justify our teaching with what is in the best interest of the children. It always is for the children. We almost always not talk about ourselves. What about us? We teach who we are so how can we not place some amount of significance on ourselves?
I liked how he metaphorically referred to our teaching as roadmaps. We have all these directions to follow. We use compasses because we are going places we do not even know. How do we know where we are going with our teaching? Do we know what the creative superminds we are teaching today will create for tomorrow? I think we can only assume that we are laying a foundation for the younger generation. What kind of a foundation will depend on who we are.
Like it or not, our identity is made up not only of who we think we are but also who we think we are not. Dr. De Jean likened it to a beach ball that is being held forcefully underwater. Yes, the beach ball is our shadow and what we suppress will always surface when we are unable to take the pressure any longer. So, what do we truly believe about difference? Do we really treat everyone equally? Do we really know what it feels like to be wearing glasses or to walk with a plastered foot?
What do we truly believe about success? If people work hard, will they really succeed? Does that mean that people who do not succeed are people who are not trying?
What do we truly believe about intelligence? Who do we believe is “smart” and who do we think is not? Who do we believe seems “motivated and who is not? Who do we believe should and should not go to university?
What do we believe about language? What do we laugh at? Why do we say “Hey, guys” when half the crowd is made up of females?
What do we truly believe about gender? How do we believe boys should act? How do we believe girls should act? We get concerned when they do not act the way we think they should.
What do we truly believe or feel when we hear an accent? What are our emotional responses? How is it different if it is French, American, Aboriginal or Spanish? Why do we think that when someone speaks English in a French or Scottish accent sounds beautiful or sexy while a person who speaks English in an Asian accent needs to attend an English speaking course?
How often do we think about our race, gender, sexual orientation, “accent”, nationality, class and language?
How well do we know our selves? Our light, brilliance, gifts, talents, compassion, intuition and healthy boundaries. Our fears, shadows, judgements, hidden belief systems, agendas and grief.
What do we think? What do we feel? To me, I think that there are many challenges in being the teacher we think we can be and I feel that there is a heavy sense of responsibility that comes with it.
Quoting Margaret J. Wheatley (commonly known as Meg Wheatley), a writer and management consultant who studies organisational behaviour with approaches including systems thinking, theories of change, chaos theory, leadership and the learning organisation (particularly its capacity to self-organise),
“The leaders we need are already here.”
If they are already here, our jobs as teachers are to make sure that we make them absolutely fantabulous leaders. Get out our compasses (GPSes?)!
*Unless otherwise hyperlinked, much detail included here were from the lecture slides provided this morning.
Thursday, August 04, 2011
In 10 weeks, the last 10 days
Exactly ten weeks ago, while I was shopping in IKEA for things to move into where I am living at now, I received a call from home telling me about the passing of Grandpa. Ten weeks later now, I am back home.
I have been home for ten days. The last ten days of her life.
***
In the afternoon on the day after the evening I arrived, I drove Mum and 小阿姨 to University Malaya Specialist Centre (UMSC). The hospital was crisp clean and adequately decorated. I prepared myself as best as possible with Mum prepping me,
"Tell you first ar, 婆婆 looks very different to the last time you saw her."
Gulp.
***
I turned the knob to push the door open.
"婆婆!"
"Oi..."She did not realise that it was me. I called out again.
"婆婆...""唉, 你回来了？"
A big smile flashed across her face. Her tired eyes sparkled in the light.
It was heart-breaking to see how much effort it took her to breathe. And when she coughed, it felt like every ounce of energy left in her would be drained away.
A young doctor, Dr. Tan, came in to talk to everyone for a good half hour. Nice chap from Penang, he made sure she received everything she requested. He managed to get her approval to have her stay until the latest Friday, so that he could ascertain the morphine dosage that was required.
She laughed at jokes. She ate the slices of watermelon she asked for. She tried to sleep.
On the way home, 小阿姨 noted that it has been some time since anyone saw her in such a happy mood.
"她看到竫竫很开心."Who would not be happy to see someone they have not seen in a long time?
***
The next day, she suddenly requested to return home. No, demanded. And that was just 15 minutes after she told Dr. Tan that she would continue her stay at UMSC. We all knew, her time is near.
I rushed over with Dad as soon as I locked up the centre. The ambulance was still there. Two of my aunts were red in the face from their crying. 小阿姨 told me to say some nice things to her, to let her know what a wonderful person she has been.
"婆婆很好的。婆婆从小看着我大的。我很喜欢婆婆煮的汤。。。"My voice quivered. Tears welled up in my eyes. I had to quickly exit the room before my tears rolled down my cheeks.
***
Thursday and Friday were days that passed by slowly for us. She drifted in and out of consciousness and her breathing was heavier than before. It was obvious that it was getting harder and harder for her to breathe.
She was in her best condition that weekend. With Cousin Meng Cheng bringing her baby Kevin to visit his great-grandmother, as well as Cousin Pei Qi with her baby Yang Yang, the atmosphere lightened up significantly. She finally got to see the fourth generation of her family. I remember telling Mum on the way back to the centre to be prepared even more.
***
Mum rang to ask where I was. I told her that I was working at home and asked if she needed me to be at the centre. She said that I should stay home to get some work done and would ring me only if she would not be able to make it back to the centre in time to lock up.
6:25pm. I felt something amiss. Mum has not rang me. Why did she not require my help? I rang her and heard her all groggy from the powerful effect of the medication she consumed.
"Stay there. I am coming down right now. 10 minutes."
I have never seen Mum in such state. She did not even have strength to walk and talk properly. I felt absolutely helpless.
***
Bro came home to tell Dad that he just visited and things do not seem very good over that side.
***
"I think we had better dapau some food to bring to your Mum first then only deposit the money.""Okay.""Wah, so many cars today? Everyone must be here tonight!""Hm, something's not right."
***
"Mummy didn't call you?""No..."
I rushed into the room. I quickly kneeled down and joined in the chanting.
"南无啊弥陀佛... 南无啊弥陀佛... 南无啊弥陀佛... "
45 minutes later, there was no movement.
***
10:00pm, August 3, 2011, Grandma ended her painful battle with lung cancer with many us in the room with her.
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