HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRADDY!!!!!! =)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRAD!!! =)

An intercultural conflict

This intercultural conflict happened when I was pretty young during a holiday at Mexico with my parents. It was supposed to be a 2 week holiday for my whole family to de-stress, especially for me as I had just finished my ‘A’ level examinations. However, it became a fiasco when cultural differences caused my mother much unhappiness.

Salma, my mother’s Mexican friend, invited all her friends, including my family, to her house for her 40th birthday dinner. Mexicans love such gatherings a lot! My parents were in awe with the sumptuous Mexican dinner which Salma had specially prepared for us. There were Mexican cheese pizza, Mexican soup, home-made Mexican bread and many more. We were indulging ourselves with the food happily and were very thankful for Salma’s hospitality.

After eating our fill, my mother told my father and me to leave the table out of courtesy as there seemed to be many people standing around and waiting for seats to have their dinner. Surprisingly, when we stood up, the Mexicans sitting at the table stared at us as if we had offended them. Salma’s husband, Bruno, then shouted across the table, “It’s so rude of you to leave the table just like that! Don’t you all have manners?” My parents were utterly shocked! My mother, not being able to tolerate such rudeness, shouted and argued back as well. But Bruno continued to be unreasonable and my mother became very frustrated. She stomped out of the dining hall.

Salma, who was in the kitchen earlier, learned about the situation and so, she tried to pacify both Bruno and my mother. She then explained to my family that in some Asian countries like Singapore, it is well mannered to leave right after dinner so as not to hog the seats. The ones who do not leave may indicate that they have not eaten enough. However, in the Mexican culture, this is rude as it indicates that the guests only want to eat but do not enjoy the company of the hosts. My mother eventually understood and apologized to both Salma and Bruno. Bruno also understood and accepted my mother's apology.

Personally, I feel that this incident is probably an unfortunate misunderstanding of different countries' cultures. In addition, both my mother and Bruno had also displayed very low EQ skills when they argued with each other in front of other guests. They did not self regulate their emotions well. It was a conflict which could be well prevented if Bruno had spoken to my mother privately about his feelings and had allowed her to explain herself. Nevertheless, this incident has reminded me that “when (we’re) in Rome, do as the Romans do”. Every country has its own set of cultures and beliefs. It will be most ideal if everyone learns to understand and give in to one another's cultures!

On a side note, fortunately for my case, the friendship between my mother and Salma was not ruined due to this misunderstanding of cultures.

Personal statement! (editted!)

My team with our medals and plaque

On that faithful day, 27th July 2007, I stand alone on lane 27, panicking and shivering. I do not know what to expect and how to focus my mind on what is to be done. It is funny that even though I have trained four times a week for three months to prepare for this red-letter day, I still get butterflies in my stomach. It is probably because it is my first time taking part in the National ‘A’ Division inter-school Air Pistol Competition. I am one of the three girls representing Anglo Chinese Junior College (ACJC) and I am determined in helping the school clinch the competition title. My contribution is extremely crucial as one person can either make or break the team’s score.

Thankfully, with the help of my coach, I have learnt the art of positive self-motivation. I talk to myself incessantly to calm myself down and to focus on every single shot made as though each is a fresh shot during the competition. It is mentally tormenting as I have to repeatedly keep myself composed and focused for the entire two-hour competition. However, I am determined not to let my team and coach down and I must bring glory to ACJC, just like what other sports teams have done. I close my eyes and focus on my body movements. Staying focused helps me simulate the body movements that allow me to hit the bull’s eye as I have done during my previous trainings. In the end, my efforts bear fruits when my team emerges as overall champion and I am individually ranked fourth among all the shooting participants. Subsequently, I am invited to join the Singapore National Youth team too.

I am a person who shows great determination and focus on whatever tasks given to me. This strength of mine will definitely see me through challenges in my career. As a teacher, I will not let my students down as we are a team focusing on pursuing continual learning together. I am also determined in helping them to achieve their best results to the best of my capability.

(Acknowledgement given to Ivan, my blog buddy, for editing my post to make it better! =))

Application letter for teaching (Reference of format from ''Science of Effective communicative in workplace'')

Title of Position: Ministry of Education School Teacher

Requirements: (http://www.moe.edu.sg/careers/teach/)

Passionate

Know how to engage students in their learning

Good role model

Prepare students for the challenges of life

Lively and engaging

Nurture the spirit of innovation and passion for learning in our young

Groom students into all-rounded individuals

Block 209

Jurong East Street 21

#07-339

Singapore 600209

3 September 2009

Ms. Phua Puay Li

Deputy director of Human Resource Development

Ministry of Education, Singapore

1 North Buona Vista Drive

Singapore 138675

Dear Ms. Phua,

Re: Application for a teaching post

I am writing in response to a teaching advertisement on the Ministry of Education website. I am very interested to be a teacher as I believe that I am an asset to the education industry in Singapore. I am in the final year of my university education and I will graduate in May 2011 with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) with a specialisation in Biomedical Science at the National University of Singapore (NUS).

I have worked as a relief teacher during my holidays for seven months to enrich my teaching experience. It has helped me learn how to manage a class on my own as I was the acting form teacher of a primary six class. My teacher mentor had also taught me innovative teaching methods such as creating my own science flash cards. I had tried using these methods in class in order to better engage the students in their learning and to keep lessons lively.

The advertisement asks for a passionate teacher and I believe I am one. I have been giving tuition to primary school and secondary school students for four years. As a tuition teacher, I am dedicated to teaching my students to the best of my ability throughout their entire academic year. My efforts bore fruits when one of my students topped his PSLE cohort last year.

The advertisement also asks for a teacher, who can groom our young into all-round individuals. I believe that I am able to achieve this as I am an enthusiastic individual. Despite my heavy workload in NUS, I am active in many co-curricular activities. In my first year, I served as the Freshmen Orientation Projects Assistant Chairperson in the science faculty by organizing Freshmen Orientation projects for the incoming freshmen. I have also enthusiastically lived in King Edward VII Hall for 3 years, where I served as the Open House Director and represented my hall actively in sports such as basketball and netball. All these experiences enable me to grow as an all rounded person. Hence by being a good role model, I aim to inspire our young to possess this same active spirit and to be all-round individuals in their schools.

From the enclosed resume, I have worked as a team leader, as well as a team player, before and I hope that this shows that I can relate to people and will fit well in the education industry. All in all, I hope that my resume has shown that I am a highly self motivated person and I have strong determination in achieving any tasks given to me.

Please grant me an opportunity to have an interview with you at any time in order to discuss further with you how I can be of service as a teacher. I can be reached at the phone number and email address indicated in the resume, which is enclosed for your kind perusal.

Thank you very much for your time. I look forward to receiving your favourable reply.

Yours sincerely,

Lah Bifen Sarah

Enclosure: Resume