Putting a Price on Education

My prevailing optimism seems to be nose-diving these past few days. After giving out my 2nd exam, and my first subjective one to the One students, I've been going through academic hell and back with the results. Appaling is to put it nicely. If I had it my way, only 10% of the students will pass. What with the incredibly poor command of English (that has already been dumbed down), zero commitment, intense cheating, and probably downright stupidity, I have no idea how any of the students made it to final year. Now, most people would say, 'but they're designers, they don't need to know business management'. That's probably like saying designers are stupid ignorant folk who's only fascination is with colours and font-type.

I am beyond disgust at the way these colleges are bringing up their students. Taking money from the students and deluding them into skill-based superiority. The students have no vested interest to be better, their only concern is to pass (and being ONE, draw quick sketches). They are happy regurgitating old ideas and don't see any need to question, test, or challenge anything. If this applies to all other colleges in Malaysia, we might as well rename the Ministry of Education to the Ministry of Population Cloning for Mental Degradation and Subjugative Control. GAH! You know, lecturers should NOT HAVE TO DUMB DOWN TO THE STUPIDITY LEVEL OF THE STUDENTS but students should strive to meet the pre-set bar! I am so incredibly pissed not because of the sheer pointlessness of giving them marks but the affect it has on the overall growth of society and country.

Needless to say, I can't fail them all. College admin has already told me to pace down to the students. I've already revised the syllabus twice. At its current level, a Form 5 student can take it and do well (probably better). Education is a misnomer. These students are not learning, heck, they're not even memorising. I actually don't know why they are there in the first place. Probably needed a justification to hang out at Sunway all the time.

Now, that's let out. I'm never accepting a lecturing position at the One again, though I doubt they'll want me after I land my wrath on the students tomorrow. There are a lot of things I can tolerate, like inefficient admin, greed, corruption even... but messing about with education is jeopardising our future. Can you imagine our kids (if) being under leaders like these? ARGH!!!

Goodbye my dear bunny...

On this day and hour, my dear bunny, Wallaby Wallace the Fourth has passed on leaving behind his brother, King Wombat. Wallaby had to be sadly put to sleep due to the worsening of his illness. Sob sob... he is sorely missed and dearly loved and hope he can now hop free and happily in the lush green fields of rabbit heaven. God bless...

2 Weeks to April

March seems to be the most interesting month of all this year. In this month, I've started a new job, signed a tenancy agreement for a house, planned and came up with CreativeKids and committed to the business model, met a new friend and we're now good buddies and it's only middle of the month still. Wonder what April will bring but life at least seems exciting now :) Can't imagine that just 3 months ago I was in a dead-end job, complaining and griping, and living a routine dull life. Change is exciting, not to mention highly addictive. It's like once you start something different, you just keep wanting more. :)

Can't wait for this weekend. Been awhile since I've had the opportunity to go home. Work and all. Will be good to spend a weekend in Melaka and catch up.

Oh Friday, Oh Friday, where forth did you go?
For though now you are here,
You were not days ago...
Come save us from Monday, malicious and sly,
Stay with us through tomorrows,
Never do say goodbye...

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Two whole weeks have gone in new work place :) Time sure did whizzed by. Been having a pretty good time so far, probably due to me still not having a full work load. Slowly starting to realise what I got myself into. Managing the Multimedia major means being proficient in software such as Flash! Gawd... back to the computer then...

One interesting thing about this place is that it is very chinesed. And me speaking zero dialects and a handful of Mandarin words makes me stick out like a sore thumb. Haven't been called a banana for ages. Ah well... got to start learning Mandarin I guess. Maybe I'll take a class at the CreativeKids@Studio in USJ. Muahahahahaha!

Happy Friday everyone :) Enjoy the weekend!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AH MENG!!!

First up, happy returns for the day Meng :) Someone turns 24 today! (Applause) No cracks needed about the age (since we're all of the same age anyways). Sorry for forgetting though, hope you can forgive me! (Bila makan?).

Work for me has been good so far. Finally got my desk settled and my computer moved from the central workstations to my desk. Yay... surfing in private! Woohoo... weird thing tho is that my PC has no CD-ROM drive. Ah well... LAUNCH @ Yahoo! it is then.

Gonna be moving out soon so gonna be real occupied. All of you guys on the Groups thingy, well, let's get it rolling! Don't want to bring out the whip just yet.

So once again, best birthday regards to meng meng :) Have a good Thursday everyone!

Cheerful Dan logging out.

Blardy Frigid on a Hot Saturday Afternoon

I have finally 'personalised' my computer and suddenly feel at home again. Getting a new computer is like a new house I think. You take some time to take stock, evaluate the potential, and then get right on making it look and feel like your previous home. Comfort is such a driving human ambition!

Anyways, I am at work this blistery cold Saturday... with the air conditioning at full blast and me tucked in my sweater. College has an open day event today so all staff out at full force. This is officially the end of my first week at work and things have been interesting. Here are some notable insights.

~ Big company environment: We all get a monthly ration of one ream of A4 paper, two rolls of toilet paper, and enough Milo, Nescafe, and Coffeemate for each day.

~ Working hours: I have a punchcard. It feels weird but at least I don't have to justify to anyone when I leave. Hoorah!

~ Working Saturdays: Only twice a month and occasionally for fairs and etc. Have to work next Sunday but there's immediate leave compensation and etc. And no one complains. Unlike previous company where everyone does. It's amazing what an understanding boss and good office morale can do. Everyone here is very cheerful :)

~ Having more colleagues than you can remember: It feels weird coming to work and seeing more than 3 familiar cars and 6 familiar faces.

So far, things have been interesting. No complaints and I have a feeling I will be pretty contented here for a while :) Largely also due to the fact that I can walk to work. I just cannot stress enough how liberating it is to be free from bad traffic snarls! WOOHOO!!!

2004: Change is in the Air

Seems I'm not contented with just a new job. Am also moving out from Saw's place. Thankful to Saw for putting me up the past year or so but it's time to move on :) Most of you who have gotten the (da da da dam) SMS'es (except Saw who had the verbal version) would know what's up with the move. In a nutshell, basically going to rent a house, and convert the halls into learning studios to give tuition and a host of after school activities such as arts and crafts. Quite a bit of the gang have shown interest but if anyone can commit at least an hour a week, have something to teach, and can do so in a fun way, buzz me :) If you don't know how to reach me then maybe I don't know you enough! Hehehe... or in other words, this is a friends thingy... so not looking at strangers joining. After all, I am living there.

Anyways, moving out in April to USJ 2. Which also means I can WALK to work from then on. Woohoo... such a bliss to move from 6am bleary morning drives to 8.30am walks to work. Sigh... bliss...

New job has been good so far though I really have done nothing these past 2 days. Not much work for me yet and being a semester break, office has been real quiet. Not to say I'm complaining but I hope when I get evaluated they remember that my slacking is not by intention. Hehe... only other drawback though is that this place seems to be a very Chinese environment. Not being able to speak any makes me stand out a fair bit. Hope to gradually blend in though. Fingers crossed.

Anyways, for the SMS'ed, don't forget our first meeting on the 13th. Check out the Yahoo Groups for details alrighty :)

....................................................

Announcement:

LIGHTOLOGY

Presented by The Japan Foundation, Kuala Lumpur & Toki Doki-Jido. "What's Lightology?" The theme is about 'light' and it shows the conflict between human's despair and hope. The premiere was in Tokyo, 2002. Many people appreciated it as a true contemporary art piece with the organic linkage of music, dance, audiovisuals and words. For premiere, we created various scenes together with many volunteer performers. The word "Lightology" was originally named by the director Naoyuki Asahina, with the meaning of "to think about light (=hope)."

Date: 20 - 21 March: 3.00pm 20 March: 8.30pm
Price: RM 35 (Adults) & RM 15 (JFKL members, students)

Hi again one and all... after a month long hiatus off work and a good 3 weeks from the blog, it's somewhat good to be back (and working). :) Office setup is till ongoing so until I get my own machine, this blog will be short and sweet. (just like the 10 min drive to work).

Short story is, moi am back! And with some of you receiving my sms'es, there's a lot of stuff I have planned for year 2004! :)

WOOHOO!

Woke up this morning, tuned in to Mix.FM, heard the horrendous traffic report, then snuggled back to sleep while laughing ever so contentedly. I am so relishing my month off work.

Got back from Cambodia last Friday. It was a great trip. Needless to say that the temples are breathtaking. Having two pretty good guides helped. Very fascinating and eye-opening, though having everything in US dollars make for a somewhat pricey event. Have photos with me so do drop by and visit moi to view them. (let's not consider putting them online considering i'm now using a dreadful dialup).

Have found a job and will be starting in March. Did some test drives and it takes me 5 minutes to get to work now :) Distance from home of 3km. WOOHOO! Dan will no longer be complaining of traffic. Hooray!

My desk is 80% cleared of my personal belongings.

My computer has been wiped clean of any traces of personal usage and work folders streamlined.

I should be getting my final paycheque today and will be surrendering my pc to replacement staff for file familiarisation.

Woohoo! Second last day of work and I'm already doing the dance of joy. :)

AND I'm going on a trip next week :) Heading for a short 3 day tour to Cambodia. Woohoo!

Back to work on an inauspicious Monday (according to Feng Shui). I'm bored and tired after a week long celebration with family and friends. Coming back to work after a long holiday is really such a bummer. Especially when there's only one other person in the office and everyone else is still away. Oh well...

WOOHOO!!! FRIDAY!!!

Last day of the work week and the 6th to last day of work in my current company. Bliss...

Going to be heading home to Melaka tomorrow for a week's vacation so to everyone, Happy Chinese New Year!

Oh... The Joys of Commuting to Work.

During the school holidays:

Time of departure: 7.00am
Time of arrival: 7.30am

Last week (the first week of school):

Time of departure: 6.50am
Time of arrival: 7.45 - 8.00am

This Monday:

Time of departure: 6.50am
Time of arrival: Freaking 8.35am

Yesterday:

Time of departure: 6.50am
Time of arrival: 8.00am

Today:
Time of departure: 6.30am
Time of arrival: 6.45am


*bangs head on wall*

Also, this has to be the funniest stuff ever on the web! HILARIOUS!!! Check it out >>>

If I could, I scream profanities right about now. 90 minutes of travelling for a distance of 15 km. That's an average of 10 kmp/h. I could have walked to work and be earlier. Grrrr.... Traffic is just ludicrous... don't see how much earlier I can leave than my current 650am... Cool cool cool...

On other things, my tutorship application met with no immediate success. Something about lack of funds or mismatch of needs. I think it has more to do with my company doing business with the university, so potential conflicts of interest maybe. Whatever it is, somewhat disappointing considering I had my heart set on working in education. Ah well...

First class at The One went very well. This must be the first time people clap after class, even AFTER I gave assignments! Hahaha... very rewarding... not to bask, but I like to think I did alright. But darnit, those kids should really learn to dress. Had this bunch of girls in super short pants sitting right in front. Wonder if that's on purpose? Hmm...

Also, my new year poem (few blogs down) won me a CD from Mix.FM. If I ever did win the GSC stuff (no news yet from them), this will be my second contest win for the new year, and it's only January. Cool...

Anyways, gonna be flooding the job market with my CV's. Wish me luck! Can't wait for Chinese New Year as well! :)

ps: If you see a rampaging Satria on the roads tomorrow morning, you'll know who it is. Muahahaha!

Yohoho... was on sick leave yesterday. Don't worry, wasn't too sick (uh hum). Needed a day off and had no more leave, so well, there's that. Irony is, I am a little under the weather TODAY. Can't quite take sick leave now since I conned one yesterday. Sigh... I hope no one uses the toilet much today. Never eat stale salads (especially when the dressing is dubious).

From www.gsc.com.my:

WINNERS
20 x Special prize
Limited edition LOTR: ROTK T-shirt
4 GSC Complimentary passes

My name is on the Winners List!!! Woohoo... outside of the fact that it could be someone else with the same name, and that GSC has not called with how to collect the prizes, let me naively be thrilled for the moment :)

Anyways, a little over a week before Chinese New Year. Hoorah! Did some CNY shopping yesterday and ended up with a large piece of artwork at a really good price. It was a Horse oriented piece, mass produced type, that had weakened resale value considering it's the Year of the Monkey coming up (though gawd knows who wants to hang monkeys on their walls). Since my mom, dad, and bro are Horses and Dad just loves Chinese art pieces, thought it was a good buy. Shopping can be fun. :)

Enjoy the weekend everyone!

Yawns... back to work again after yet another blissfully long weekend. First day of school today as well and gawd, traffic was a killer. Sigh... hope things settle down after a few days.

Am excited with the prospect of the year. First up, by the end of this month, I'm leaving my current company! Woohoo... will be a big change seeing how the past 2 years of my life have been spent here. Also, this Friday will be my first real teaching class at The One Academy. Mighty nervous but thrilled. Gonna be an interesting year. :)

Made some resolutions as well, among them being more open with friends. Talked with some friends and in some ways it does help to limit interpersonal walls. Life is really too short to be too caught up with short sighted maladies.

Anyways, thanks for all the new year wishes and a great year to everyone! :) And to quote Batbabe, let's all wish for world peace!

An Ode to a Year's End
by Dan

I sit in quiet to think about,
This day one year ago,
To recollect the months gone by,
As the endless minutes flow,
I think about the joys and triumphs,
Of life's little precious gifts,
New babies, new mornings, new friends and old,
New dreams in mind they drift...
I cherish the moments of happiness,
And remember most peaceful times,
And bask in warmth of love and family,
And days of song and rhyme,
I treasure life and all its beauty,
Its colours bright and true,
Though bleak may be some days, some mornings,
The light will always burst through,
Amidst all this thanks, and gratitude,
I pause for a single breath,
To say a prayer and mark reflection,
For those that the year brought death,
It has been a time when wars were fought,
In the irony of global peace,
When tragedy and disasters struck,
And to many promised grief,
But through this all, the pain and loss,
The human spirit must prevail,
For life is ever eternal,
And goodwill we all must hail,
So as the year come to an end,
Let's bid a final adieu,
To the past distant but always remembered,
And welcome the coming new,
To one and all, to friend and foe,
I wish you happiness dear,
And the blessings of love and kindness,
A very happy new year.

I wonder why my alarm clock seem to ring ever so loud and ever so ominous on Monday mornings.

Oh what a blissful 4 day weekend. It was so much fun I've decided to take leave again this coming Friday. This will mean that I won't have very much leave days to spare for Chinese New Year but what the heck. I think anticipating and gearing for Chinese New Year is a heck more fun than the day itself. Granted I've had enough of paint and brooms but getting spruced up for the fesitivities and doing it as a family is very rewarding, aches and pains aside.

I think I'm a little pampered with 3 day work weeks. Gawd knows how I'll ever cope with normal work weeks come January 2004. And ack! School is reopening! With the NKVE out of whacks for another 7 months, it's going to be a grueling 3 weeks before I can kiss corporate life goodbye (at least for a while).

Job hunting is kinda stalling. Nothing really stands out and at this point, I'm just going to hinge my next working life episode on tutorship at my former university (whenever they reply). If that doesn't work out, I'm going to venture into something different. That's definitely decided. 20,000 + people died just overnight recently and that got me thinking that life is way too short to not take some chances.

On other news, boss is returning Wednesday and have sent in anticipation an email asking for reports. If he thinks the office is working on full steam when he's away, he is definitely intoxicated.

Looking forward to the new year! Woohoo! :)

Merry Christmas everyone!



May goodwill and peace prevail on earth.

(uh hum)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE SQUIDICIOUS, LANDLORDY, OWNER OF TOFFEE THE PUPPY, SAW!!!

(birthday song to follow)

(Saw to proceed to blow imaginary birthday cake)




:)