Classes have ended?!?!?!

Time flies and it is the final week of the teaching semester before exams loom around the corner!

As I reflect on what made me choose “ES2007S: Professional Communication” in the first place, it makes me laugh because the reason is pretty lame. 4 Science Club seniors recommend me to take this module in my first year at NUS because it is FUN, ‘TEXTBOOK-less’, and VERY USEFUL! (Brad, do you remember Jane Chan, Moses Khoo and WeeSiong? They were in your class last year =P) My seniors also said “You must choose the class with Brad Blackstone as the tutor ok? He’s the most engaging one!” I heeded their advice and THANK GOD I took this module! :D

Yes, I was mentally prepared that the workload was going to be heavy, just as what my seniors had described to me! But I must admit, this is one of the best modules to take in NUS, besides Malay language. :D (Serious! No Boot-licking) I absolutely LOVE the way we interact in class. Classes are never boring! I always look forward to lessons despite my hectic 8-hour break-less classes on Tuesday and Friday. Even though work is never-ending (and I really mean NEVER-ENDING), I declare that I learn the most out of all module in NUS. (Just like what I mentioned in my first post that I hope to reap more than what I sow.)

Which module in NUS will teach life-long skills such as writing application letter, resume, proposals, oral presentation skills, job interviews and qualities like having high EQ? So tell me, what more can I complain about? The work load is simply worth my pain. (Oh wait... the work load is even further cut down, as compared to previous semesters!)

There are just so many good things that I love about ES2007S, which I probably will not blabber here again as my classmates would have mentioned quite a lot on their blogs. Nevertheless, I have only 2 suggestions. Firstly, for the formation of teams to work on proposals, it will be good if having a team leader in each group is not compulsory! I think that this results in a lot of dependence on the team leaders. Perhaps what a team needs is a team FACILITATOR, whose job is only to arrange meeting times and place. Other than that, all of the team members are made equally responsible in ensuring the smooth progress of their group work. In this way, team members will not have the tendency to wait for the team leader’s cue most of the time. Secondly, I think the number of websites in the skill builders could be shortened to about 3 key websites? :D The number of websites to view per week is quite a lot and for most of the time, I cannot quite remember what I have read before my next class!

Other than that, I have no other complaints!

Since this is my last post for this module, I would like to express my gratitude to ALL of my group 9 classmates (I think we rock the class!) and Brad, for being the best ‘ang-moh’ tutor I’ve seen in NUS (HAHA!) and for being a superb facilitator for my endless learning of communication skills! I am feeling pretty sad now as honestly, I will miss this class a lot! I think I have all bonded very well with everyone in this class, especially with a couple of girls, in a short span of 13 weeks. =) I wish you guys all the best in your future endeavours and Brad, may you have many income bonuses every year! :P

GAMBATTE!

Oral presentation done! WOOHOO!

I must admit that in today’s oral presentation (OP), I was extremely nervous! There were butterflies in my stomach while my team members were presenting! I really did not want to screw up in today’s presentation as I did not want to affect my team’s scores and of course, this OP contributes to 20% of my final grade. >.<

I rehearsed a number of times before today’s OP and I must admit that I was very worried as my portion required me to cover quite a heavy content and I took about 8 minutes during my rehearsals. I was worried that I might show bad time management today. Luckily, I managed to finish my speech in about 7 minutes today!

I think some of the good points in my presentation today are that I had good voice projection and my tone was not monotonous as I took the effort to emphasize certain key points in my presentation by slowing down and speaking even louder in certain sentences! I hope that the audience felt the same way too! Also, I thought that I tried my best to speak confidently and passionately about my content while maintaining eye contact with the audience and trying not to look at the screen. (I guess it was useful for me to read garrreynold's delivery tips the day before OP) But I do admit that I was very afraid of looking at a person into his/her eyes though and so, I tend to glance at each group and Brad. Nevertheless, I really tried to hide my nervousness and appear relaxed and natural as much as possible. Also, I was more conscious about my non verbal body movements today. (I tend to move a lot when I’m nervous) I am also very glad that my team showed good time management as we managed to stick to presenting within 20 minutes. Also, all of us tried to stand nearer to the class so that we can be seen more clearly.

However, I felt that I sort of failed to invoke a sense of humour in the audience when I mentioned that networking is a good way to meet one’s potential spouse. HAHA! Oh well, I still continued on as usual. Also, one major part that I can improve on is to do away without my help notes in my hands! I understand that one has to internalize (not memorize) the content of one’s presentation but I was EXTREMELY afraid that I would forget the key messages which I wanted to convey to my audience. Hence I still chose to have the paper in my hands while presenting for emergency purpose. :D Nevertheless, I tried my best to internalize my content before the presentation and NOT to refer to the cards in my hands as much as possible today! I love Ivan and XiangMin for being able to speak without reference to any notes. (I need more practice in this part!)

Also, I was quite taken aback by the questions asked by my fellow classmates. I tried to answer the questions to the best of my ability but I do admit that I depend on Ivan quite a bit to help me with some of the difficult questions raised. Nevertheless, I hoped that I still appeared to be confident during the QnA session though. (XiangMin, I am very sorry that you did not have a chance to answer the questions as most questions targeted the recommendation portion which Ivan and I were more familiar with) I understand that the audience may have doubts in our recommendation as I mentioned the recommendation portion rather briefly due to the lack of time. But I hope that Brad and my classmates are interested in our team’s proposal though! :P (I have a question: Did I move my hands a lot while speaking? I think I did but I am not very sure about it)

To my team: THANK YOU for all your hard work! (Xiang Min for coming out with the powerpoint template and Ivan for inserting the pictures and finding the video) I thought that Team S.I.X did better than I expected! :D (At least the video injected some smiles in the audience!)

P.S I bothered to dress up today for the first time in ES class HAHA!

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

Nice guys exist so that women can be bitches! (A side post)

Note: If you want to comment on "Interpersonal conflict", please scroll down!

Hello once again! I can't help but share with all of you about something very interesting about Singapore women! (Men can read this as well for general understanding =P) This was written by someone on STOMP.


Over the weekend, I conducted a long-distance straw poll among five of my best male buddies who wouldn't be too taken aback at my weird, slightly belligerent question:
"Tell me what's so great about yourself."

So it turns out that most Singaporean men (if my bunch of buddies are any indication), have a pretty great impression of themselves (I'm inclined to agree with these guys, if only to not find myself suddenly bereft of male friends after this blog goes up).

"Well, I think the best thing about me, is that I'm super reliable. You know, I turn up when I say I will, I don't blow people off and I'm trustworthy. I'd never cheat on a girl." says A, whose words were more or less echoed by the rest in some form or other.

"The best thing about me, is that I'm financially secure," says B. "I don't gamble, I make calculated investments, I have a good steady job, a good income, and I save."
C pulls out the filial card: "I'm a family guy. I'm respectful to my parents, I look after my two younger sisters (he worked to pay for their education in Australia too) and I'm always around for my family."

D is good looking, fit, and one of the most athletic people I know: "I think the best thing about me, is my lifestyle. I'm healthy, I work out almost every day. I'm in shape and I like being active."

"Heck, I'm not too sure what's super special about me", but I'm just a really nice guy you know." E has so many positive traits, he can't single one out. "I'm an all-round friendly guy, most people think I'm reliable and honest and I'm responsible you know. That's why I'm good with people and I'm good at my job..."

If my buddies are any indication at all, it seems that Singaporean men, in general, are reliable, financially secure, value relationships and are all-around nice guys.

So why is it that all five of my buddies are either chronically single or divorced? They're all educated up to at least a first degree, hold good jobs, they're fit and healthy with no disfiguring illnesses, two of them are just plain rich and one looks like he could model underwear for a living.
By all means, each of them should be considered a "good catch", yet they spend Valentine's Day either alone, or trying to cajole someone out. After one too many "Lonely Hearts" sessions with these guys as their reluctant "fill in" date, I've formed the hypothesis that (some) Singaporean men are so good at their "good" traits, that there's ironically nothing exciting about them anymore. Everyone likes a reliable, trustworthy guy, but too much of that, and this fellow becomes staid, boring and predictable; the family guy who puts his family obligations first becomes a "mummy's boy"; and the financially dependable one ends up being an undesirable miserly figure who wouldn't spend on frivolities.

On the flipside, I have countless female acquaintances and friends of friends who aren't exactly the type that the average mother would be enamoured with. Simply put, they exhibit some of the worst traits of a female that I could imagine.

First of all, there's the group of chronic cheaters. It seems that one of the most deplorable traits about Singaporean women, is that when it comes to men and who they want to be with, they either can't make up their minds, or they want everyone out there. The chronic cheaters are girls who already have steady boyfriends (of years), but yet have a whole string of flings, one after another, to satisfy some apparent lack that their regular guy can't fulfil. And the amazing thing is that breaking up with their regular guy is out of the question, simply because he's such a reliable, family man (Note: Hear that, reliable, family men?) that he'd be a great investment for the future when marriage is eventually on the cards. One of these poor sods found out one day that his girl wasn't exactly true to him, but being so "nice", allowed her to have her fun if that would make her happy.Closely related to "wanting it all" when it comes to men, the other cringe-worthy trait of some Singaporean women is their unashamed materialism. They want expensive, shiny things too. A pal of mine has a friend who insisted that her boyfriend work another job so he could upgrade his car to a fancier model because his current second-hand clunker wasn't swanky enough to be valet-parked outside Zouk or something. And then there's the one who got all miserable and upset because her birthday was ruined when her boyfriend bought her a silver necklace (even if it did come with an engraved pendant), because it came from Perlini's and not Tiffany's. Both girls eventually got what they wanted though, from what I hear. So somewhere out there is a poor guy who works two jobs to pay off the loan on a swanky coupe and another's got a huge bill from Tiffany's for a necklace that although made of the same material, cost ten times more.

And then, there's the insanely jealous control freak. These are the girls with deep-rooted anxieties that make the green-eyed monster a permanent fixture. I've personally lost at least two guy friends who have disappeared down the "girlfriend abyss", simply because "my girlfriend doesn't like me hanging out with other girls..." And the crowning irony? There are Singaporean men out there who are more than willing to put up with these crazy cheating, materialistic and controlling traits, because all these girls I know, have (at least) one devoted partner.

Thinking about this blog topic that started out being more biased towards the men, I'm wondering who has the last laugh here.

The worst thing about Singaporean men, is that they're susceptible to be blinded by the flattery of a pretty girl paying them some short-term attention. And the best thing about Singaporean women, is that they're shrewd enough to suss out which guy will give them exactly what they want


(WoW! After reading this, my heart really goes out to her! She spoke my heart out even though I'm probably one of those guilty ones. It's rare that a singaporean woman criticises singaporean women! With so many realistic flaws of women which many do not realise, do you think Singaporean women are such a good catch after all?)