My mentees



My mentee and I when I was in Year 1 and in Queenstown Primary School for mentoring sessions. I have not seen him since my last session there so it is pretty long. Can I say he was as lazy as me? =x I could see that he did not want to do his work. When I said stop, I could see that he was quite relived. But, he was really a good boy because he had never requested to stop doing work. Unfortunately, I have forgotten his name. I remember that I bought a file and a mechanical pencil for him last year for Children's Day. From his facial expression, I guess he appreciated them except for the pencil. I realised that it was not suitable for boys but the important thing is my sincerity. =)




This is my mentee for year 2 in Zhang De Primary School. Luckily, I caught her last week or else I would not know what to give her for Children's day. She is very talkative, active and less attentive compared to my first one. She could talk for every minute. I had a very hard time to persuade her to do her work, stop walking and talking and copying answer from others. Nevertheless, she is a good girl too. She could see that I am worried for her. So, she asked why am I so worried. I replied saying I am worried because I am your mentor so I would want her to do well. She will be taking her PSLE next week. Today might be the last day which I would get to see her and might be my last permanent one as it could be almost impossible to attend mentoring in Year 3. I printed out this and wrote something behind it. I could see that she was quite happy.

Anyway, I know I mentioned that I wanted to quit mentoring. But, after much consideration, I decided not to because I doubt that I have much spare time to attend which is quite irresponsible if I do.

The Bondmaid by Catherine Lim

The setting of this story is in the early 1950s of Singapore. Poor families sold their children into rich families to work as bondmaids. This is a story of House of Wu – one of the rich families. They had 100 bondmaids in their house and treated them fairly well. I would say the ending of the story was a tragedy – but I did not feel sad but only felt sorry for the main leads.

Another focus of this story is about a little girl, Han. I totally pitied her. Her dad made her mum pregnant every year and did not give enough money to them. As a result of this, they did not have enough to eat. She and six other siblings had to squeeze on a bed. Sometimes, I could even fall off from my bed while sleeping so I think sleeping with six others is much worse. At the age of five, she was sold to the house of Wu.

7 Deadly Sins


If you have not heard of 7 deadly sins or have no ideas what they are, take this quiz from here.

Greed:	Low
Gluttony:	Medium
Wrath:	Low
Sloth:	High
Envy:	Very Low
Lust:	Very Low
Pride:	Medium

Actually, I went to search for some difficult words on the online dictionary - please do not laugh or tease at me because my english has been very weak and I am trying my best to improve.


Sloth - habitual disinclination to exertion; indolence; laziness

This is something which I agree. I am not as hardworking as what many think. I can be so lazy to the extent that I am too lazy to step out of the house, to think or to study.

Gluttony - excessive eating and drinking.

wrath - strong, stern, or fierce anger; deeply resentful indignation; ire.

Lei Sim will agree on this because she often says I am very fierce. Whatever! =p

True Believer by Nicholas Sparks

It is another book by him again. I was so lucky to find one which I have not read yet.

The main lead was a science journalist. One day, he received a letter from someone of another town. For the nature of his job, he was required to do some research so he went over to investigate the real cause behind the ghostly apparitions that appear in the town cemetery. At the town, he met a girl whom he later fell in love with. What most difficult is to choose whether to return to the life he knew or give up what he had and came over to live with her.

So, which do you think he has done? Read it and you will know.

A special day, a celebration


When I walked into the library, the receptionist gently told me that the library is not opened yet. But, I replied him quite rudely. I said “err..I..work here”. I guess it will make him more embarrassed. I know I sounded so bad.

When I saw Lei Sim, I was so glad that she treated me like what she normally did so I could converse with her normally.

It is not that we have quarreled or what but rather it is her birthday and I have not wished her as I wanted to give her a surprise later. I was so scared that she might hint me anything about it. So, I volunteered to scan books – this is something which no one in our group would want to do but She and I are normally the ones who do it – so that I did not have to sit beside her – yes, a way to avoid her at all cause.

I told my colleagues (they are people whom we always go for lunch with) about my plans on the first week of our work – yes, it took me some time – a month before exam till that week to come out with something special for her – she must feel honoured because I do not misuse my brain cells for I am always too lazy to think

After scanning all the books, I went back to my seat. I kept peeping at her at the corner of my right eye for I was so scared that she might cry or what. Sitting beside her, I could feel that she was upset about something which seriously made me more nervous and scared. It caused me to peep at her even more often – excuse me, I am a normal girl, yes, it is that ‘normal’. So, I went over to my colleagues and told them my fears. I told them that no matter what, they must not wish her. About 1 hour to our lunch break, she asked me “was xxx message the last reply?” When she asked that, I was looking at her and after two seconds, I realised the situation and continued my work and with my rather cold reply ‘ah huh’. Deep inside me, I was like thinking “oh my god.” After awhile, I went over to my colleagues again and voiced out my fears. Luckily, at that time, it was very near to our lunch break.

On the way out, it was followed like what I had planned. First, I lied openly that I wanted to see a lecturer and ask him about something and said they wanted to go FC3 so I would go there – when I was the one who planned to go there. So, I quickly pressed the button of the lift. Before the door closed, she volunteered to accompany me – people who understand me would know how scared I was – so I quickly said “no, it is alright”. Deep inside me, I was saying “oh my god.” Looking at the door and prayed that the door could close as fast as possible. I went to a table at level 2 and waited till 13.05. I tried my best to walk as slow as possible – people who know me would know that my normal walking pace can be much faster than a normal person – but, no doubt that I am a normal person.

I went to FC5 to get a slice of a cake and a candle – I was supposed to get a free candle few months ago but… - I tried to think that it was worth it so I bought it from that aunty.

Again, I willed myself to walk as slow as possible. Finally, I reached FC3 and took out my lighter and lit the candle so that I could take a picture of it. When I got a missed call as a signal that they were ready, I took my lighter out again. This time round, with my shivering hands and lit it – I am still wondering why I shivered.

With that, I walked up to her – like as planned, she could not see where I was coming from – and called her and we sang a birthday song to her.

Everything was according to my plan - a pleasant surprise for her. =D


Sorry, this is what I could afford. Nevertheless, I hope that it did not taste very bad. =)



the box and the cover lid with my tiny-winny handwriting


You may think that her present is not sincere since it is just box with many strips of paper, 2 keychains and some stars. But, it is not like what it is like. I went to three places to get the box (has to be folded into the shape of a box but my sis's curiousity took over and she did it instead of me), the 18 stars which indicate her age, were all folded by me and 2 keys - yes, no kidding, three different places which needed some traveling distances to get. If you realise, there are many strips of papers - yes, they were all cut by myself. I believe this is my definition of sincerity.



blowing the cake


This is not all. About two hours after our break, a colleague saw her present so he asked “today is your birthday?” I just wanted to answer for her but in the end he thought it was me. When I turned around, he had already showed his hand, ready to shake mine to wish me. So, I said it should be her. He was so embarrassed about it but we could not help, but laugh at it – yes, it was so bad of us. Irene (I think she said that too) and I said it was not sincere and should sing a birthday song to her and he did! Lei Sim blushed but he did not stop. It was so courageous of him because he sang it alone. =)


The rest of the working time was enjoyable with Irene, Shi Fan, Lei Sim and me. We were the noisiest group today. We kept giggling and talking like no one’s business – so fun! =D


Anyway, later, I watched the drama “Falling In Love” in the evening, I think there was a part which is very touching. Herman from that show said if one thousand roses show his sincerity so does his three roses. If the person does not appreciate it, even if he gives one thousand, it is of no use. It is so touching and sweet. Oh my God! I love this show so much! I am a fan of romance drama – must be of a certain standard, movie and novels!

I know this entry is so long but it has been such a long time since I last wrote something right from my heart, not that personal though. =)

Stay Alive, My Son by Pin Yathay


This is another tragedy story of a Cambodian who went through the war in 1975.

He was 31 that year who had three sons and a wife. On that day itself, he went to meet with other family members – 30 members altogether. Halfway through the distance, they were separated. His group became as small as eighteen members including him. Anyway, in the end, he was the only survivors among them – so sad right?

He made two escape attempts. He failed his first one. For the second attempt, he and his wife made a difficult decision of whether to give up on his only surviving but sick child. If they brought him along, he would be too weak to walk long distances and therefore would suffer. In the end, they decided to bring him to the hospital so that at least there were people to look after him – yes, his neighboring bed was a very nice lady who lost her husband and her three sons. Before he left, he made him remember his and his wife names and gave him his wedding ring.

There were twelve people in total who made the escape. In the middle of the journey, they were separated by an unpredictable situation and so were being separated. He was then with his wife and her friend.

However, they were being separated again when the fire started burning part of the grass at night. Later, he could not find both of them.

He took slightly more three weeks to complete the journey to Thailand.

I really take my hat off him.

I doubt I would have that much determination, strength and courage to do so. Imagine killing any animals – could be eating it raw when there was no fuel left, trying out any wild fruits or vegetables and sleep in the forests?

Anyway, this phrase “Stay Alive, My Son” was told by his father to him two days before his death.

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks


This is another nice book by him though not my favourite one. This is a story where two fated couples met again after fifteen years of separation. The man was called a poet by his lover or wife because he read poems to her and enjoyed doing so. He was very romantic. Through some of the letters which he wrote to her, it could be touching and romantic enough to bring you to tears.

His wife was found with the early stages of Alzheimer’s in the later stage of her life whereas he was contacted with cancer.

He never failed to be patient with her. He talked to her almost every day and sometimes, he could make her fall in love with him again. Despite her disease, she felt comfortable with him and wanted to know more about him.

In this story, you would be reminded that true love does exist.

Another books recommendation


I Believe You by Low Kay Hwa

Yes, I know I have made some comments on this book or rather story already. But, today I saw this book on one of the shelves of Queenstown library so I decided to borrow so as to finish up the last few chapters.

Seriously, this book is very touching and I realised the author is only four years older than I am.

I thought the boy in story would die but he did not. This is a really sweet story – a worth reading one.

I wonder do miracles exist.


A Brother’s Journey by Richard B. Pelzer

My sister is amazing because she found this book. This author is the real brother of Dave Pelzer – author of “A Child Called ‘It’”, “The Lost Child” and “A Man Called Dave”


He suffered the same fate as his brother. But, I think somehow, his mother still treated him better than his brother. For example, she did not ask him to re-consume the mess he just vomited out. However, he fainted and bled a number of times from his mother’s heartless beatings.


This is a quote from the book as to why this was written.

“…to increase our awareness, and to heighten the determination of all of us as parents, guardians, family and responsible adults to seek an understanding of just who we really are and to appreciate what we have as parents. Even the smallest of good and bad actions affects the smallest of us”


Seriously, I do not know whether was their mum at fault or not because she was mentally-ill. I believe that such people could not really take control of their actions perhaps except for normal-but-act-like-crazy people.

I believe there are still numerous cases of such happening. I wonder when it will stop, when people will step in to help the kids and why these innocent kids were born.

Sometimes, I really do not understand some things which are happening especially wars.

First They Killed Our Father by Loung Ung


The writer is the survivor of the war in Cambodia back in 1975 – at that time, Singapore was already progressing. She was from a middle-class family before the war. On the first few days of the war, it was terrible for every one of them. They had to walk for long distances under scorching sunlight. People who refused to obey and leave would be killed on the spot. Slowly, the supply of their food got lower and lower.

In order for his second brother to stay alive, her parents and a neighbour decided to get their daughter to marry his son. As his oldest brother was 18 at that time, so he was too old to stay with the family. Together, he, his second brother and sister-in-law were sent to a camp - to work.

Since they received very little food and got to work for 12-14 hours per day so many were starved to death. Due to the lack of food, some resorted to stealing food. They could either be killed or forced to work on landmines field – they did not draw out any map on this so your next step could cause you to lose your legs, arms or life if being caught or reported by anyone.

Her oldest sister was being sent away to a camp to work.

Some time after that, a girl went to their hut to tell them that her oldest sister wanted to see them at the hospital. She was dying as she had food poisoning. Later, her parents went to see her but realised she had already passed away and could not find body.

Few months after that, her father was brought away. The soldiers came and told them that they needed him to work on something and would be back on the next day. They all knew it was a lie.

The rest of the family stayed together. Sometimes, in an overnight time, the entire family of their neighbour could disappear. Then, her mother decided to send her, her older sister and brother away so that not all would die together when one was being caught.

More than one year later, her mother and youngest sister were being taken away – of course being killed.


They used weapons such as hammers, riffles to kill the victims. Among all, I think using hammers is the cruelest method. They would use it to knock against the skull of the victims.

Read the rest of the story yourself if you are interested.


We are seriously lucky to be able to live in such peaceful country without any wars or riots. With this, we lead our life normally. We should not take things for granted.

I think this is a really nice book. I was really shocked at how a war is like though I studied history in lower secondary – I hardly paid attention in class so I know almost nothing anyway. My heart goes to them when knowing that they worked for long hours and received little food and the way how they were being tortured. The writer and her family were actually a happy family but were being forced to be split out as a result of the war. Needless to say, it must be a terrible feeling and there was not a day to smile from their heart. They could not trust anyone other than their own family. Of course, some people committed suicide.