Lost Generation?

Really nice Nike commercials!

I like the new Nike commercial, currently playing on cable.. my favourite sporting stars like Kobe Bryant and Maria Sharapova adds much glamour to this advert and it makes me feel so motivated to want to exercise, because i could do with a few pounds off. Wobbly body fats and double chins is certainly not the way to go.

Now, i only need a partner.. and good exercise shoes

Oh.. the second video is Nike’s take on the West Side version of “I feel pretty” starring Maria Sharapova, one of the youngest Grand Slam winners and is ranked 6th on the women’s tennis circuit, and she’s really pretty too.. too bad, i couldn’t catch her when she was in town last year.

An overdue lunch review

It was on one of those sticky hot Mondays, where the sun was bursting with warm goodness.

Luckily this particular Monday fell- on the eve of New Year’s day, where on the stroke of 2pm (for those of us working!)- everyone was allowed to come out and play.

So while deciding what to do for the remaining day before the countdown to year 2008, our rumbling tummies appropriately lead us to decide quickly that we have to eat!

So we discussed, debated over the merits of certain eating places,  and decide geographically whether it was feasible for us to go there.

This time around,  a long bus ride on 26 brought us to Kembangan, most of the shophouses were closed for the day, and there were practically a handful of people on the streets, everyone was perhaps seeking comfort and much needed reprieve from the scorching rays in the comfortable confines of their homes but as our hunger mounted, we foolishly soldiered on to this eating place.

Upon reaching the restaurant and hurriedly entering its air-conditioned area, we plonk ourselves happily  on the wooden seats and ordered quite a number of dishes for 2 overly ambitious eaters.

This is what we ordered:

1. Chilli crabs ( i hope the’re really spicy!)

2. Home- made signature drink: Ice- lemon tea (Divine!)

3. Stir-fry chapchai with beef strips

4. 2 plates of hot steaming rice

5. Scintillating lunch conversation with cheerful lively partner ( this i didn’t get because my partner was hungry and didn’t want to talk ) hahah..

 

 

OUR VERDICT: 4/5 stars (hee..)

The chilli crabs were a tad dissapointing, but don’t get me wrong, its really nice but because we favoured a more spicy taste to it and it turned out to be a mixture of sweet and sour kind of taste, however the servings of crabs they give are huge, and the chill crab broth-like-soup was thick and yummy,  they added quite a number of eggs to it i think, that’s why it looked quite pekat . The chilli crabs definitely lacked the “pedas” factor and in my opinion, think that the black pepper crabs will be a better choice for next time.

The rest, the stir fry vegetables tasted nice, with all the ingredients and flavours locked in nicely and oohh.. if you want to try their signature drink, don’t just say ice lemon tea.. or else they will give u an ice canned ice lemon tea.. ask for their homemade ice lemon tea and one tip, the sugar water resides at the base of the glass, give it a good swirl of the straw and push the lemon slice into the ice cubes, i guarantee you will be asking for a 2nd glass soon enough Overall, it was a good dining experience and it did not cost us a bomb, it was reasonably priced, the crabs came up to be about $25 dollars? which i think is a steal if you compare it to the terrible price of crabs over at newton, the other time we ate at newton, the price of crabs came up to $70..can you believe it! no? neither can i…

so if you’re thinking of coming to this eating establishment, its much more worth it to come in a big group, remember to book for reservations if you want to eat at their place especially during the weekends.

Large Malay families come to eat here and if u fancy a *reunion * of sorts- i mean.. i’ve bumped into aunties, uncles, old acquaintances that come from  Pasir Ris, Woodlands, Sengkang and all other parts of Singapore which I see only once a year (time Hari raya la..hahah) while eating at this place.

So boys and girls, if you want to bring your girlfriends/boyfriends out on a date, do be careful, you might never know  which member of your extended family might be lurking at the restaurant and inappropriately descend on you and your date … like how gaggle of  giggling makciks do! hahaha.. KIDDING!

And please do take note, there are 2 chai chee restaurants at Kembangan, both restaurants also have a white canopy tent over their premises,  the other chai chee restaurant is owned by a Chinese guy and has no affiliation to Chai Chee (Ooh La La!)

This chai chee (ooh la la!) restaurant has waiters who are all Malays, wears checkered red shirts and long deep maroon aprons, so look out for them. it is brightly lit and is always..almost packed to the brim especially on weekends which is a clear indication that you are at the right place and if you need to pray, there’s always Masjid Kassim down the street

Chai Chee Seafood (Ooh La La!)

359 Changi Road, Singapore  419821

For Resevations, please call 68412002 (Operating hours are from 11.30am-11.30pm)

Enjoy ur visit.. who knows..we might bump into you there..soon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

secret to happiness

A certain merchant sent his son to the wisest of all men to learn the Secret of Happiness. The youth walked during forty days by a desert until he arrived to a beautiful castle, at the top of a mountain. There lived the wise one he was looking for.

However, instead of finding a holy man, our hero entered into a large room and he saw an immense activity; merchants entered and left, people conversing at the corners, a small orchestra playing soft melodies and a table full with the most delicious dishes of that region of the world.

The sage conversed with everybody, and the youth had to wait two hours to be attended. The sage listened attentively to the motive of his visit, but said that at that moment he did not have time to explain the Secret of Happiness. He suggested him to take a walk through the palace and to return two hours later.

“But I want to ask you a favor,” added the sage giving him a little spoon of tea in which he poured two drops of oil. “While walking, carry this little spoon with the oil and take care that the oils does not get spilled.”

The young man started to climb and descend the stairs of the palace maintaining always his eyes fixed on the spoon. After the two hours had passed, he returned to the presence of the sage.

“How are you? ” asked the sage. “Did you see the Persian tapestry in my dining room? Did you see the garden that the Master of Gardeners took ten years to create? Did you notice the beautiful parchments of my library?”

The youth embarrassed, confessed that he had not seen anything. His only worry had been not to spill the drops of oil the sage had entrusted him.

“So then go back and know the marvels of my world,” the Sage said. “You cannot trust a man without knowing his house.”

Already more relaxed, the youth took again the spoon and went back to stroll through the palace, this time looking with attention to all the works of art adorning the ceiling and the walls.

He saw the gardens, the mountains surrounding them, the delicacy of the flowers, the care with which every work of art was placed on its place. After returning to the presence of the Sage, he recounted in detail all he had seen.

“But where are the two drops of oils I entrusted you?” asked the Sage. The young one looked at the spoon and noticed he had spilled them.

“So this is the only advise I can give you.” said the Wisest of all the Wise One. “The Secret of Happiness is in looking to all the marvels of the world, but without ever forgetting the two drops of oils in the spoon.”

“The Secret of Happiness is in knowing to enjoy the greatest pleasures of life without forgetting the little things we have in our reach“…

(:

Minutes of Meeting

Hi Guys,

We’re breaking convention here by posting the minutes of our meetings online. It can be found on the ‘For Tutors‘ tab on the navigation header. Please do comment if I have left anything important out or if there is anything else that you want to add.

UP. come- ing Events!

M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2008: Filem-Filem-Filem by Ming Wong
From: Wednesday, January 16, 2008 To: Sunday, January 27, 2008
Inspired by the days of pioneering film exhibition in Malaya in the 1930s and 1940s, exhibition features a monologue by a Chinese film entrepreneur who goes into the rubber plantations in Malaya to show films to the Chinese and Malay families. Fictional and archival photographs of the rubber plantations and early film screenings and film posters by the artist will also be showcased. The Arts House, 10.00-22.00, Free.

M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2008: Frozen in Time – by Nathalie Daoust (Canada) 
On: Wednesday, January 23, 2008
A series of medium format photographic prints which investigate the role of photography as a documentary and art form. With talk by Natalie Daoust on 16 Jan, F202 LaSalle Campus, 19.30. Esplanade Tunnel, Free. 

Source: http://singapore.angloinfo.com

A simple note

” The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life not life to years. We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We’ve done larger things, but not better things.

We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn’t cost a cent.

Remember, to say, “I love you” to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctor worry about them. That is why you pay him/her.

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. ” An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” And the devil’s name is Alzheimer’s.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is God & ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it’s family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don’t take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

George Carlin

The best places to eat on a Saturday

 

Credits: picture by Albino Rhino, taken from site Allrecipes.com

What can bring more joy than chomping down on your favourite food? tasting that much awaited morsel of food that you have waited with bated fervour for many days now. You can’t help but squeal in barely contained glee when that coveted dish is placed infront of you. If you do that then we are alike! There are many things I enjoy doing on my free days, catching up with old friends and bunking in to catch some of that elusive sleep, but there is a particular activity which I deeply relish and that is sniffing out good places to eat, and although this has become a slightly more expensive hobby in recent times, I feel a deluded sense of accomplishment when I find a place that neither my friends have ventured upon haha..

For starters, at the beginning of this year, my uncle brought us out for dinner. We drove from grey Toa Payoh to the likes and bustle of Simpang Bedok. At the farthest end of Simpang Bedok lies a restaurant called Sedap Corner, it had just opened then, and saw very few patrons on its premises. However the ambience and decor of the place was quite something- it generated a surburbia-zen like charm with its dimmed lights and concrete waterfall that were strategically placed outside the restaurant, and although it was easy to fall in love with the place, we were not easily swayed. As true connoiseur(s) of food tasters, we wondered if the food would live up to the ambience as they would like us to believe. The restaurant offers a pretty diverse menu- from Thai cuisine to Western delights and traverse a traditional menu of nasi belacan kampung and its compatriots.

For tastebuds that are game enough to try anything new, the Vietnamese Pho-Bo offers an electic taste, it is an acquired taste. Translucent rice noodles with beef balls mixed with a soup mixture, hints of coriander and fresh cilantro, the presentation of the meals is an art in itself, the Viet Pho-bo is placed on a wooden lacquered tray ,the noodles are placed in a huge bowl, they do serve large servings with a plate of fresh herbs on the side and a slice of lemon to adorn the plate as well. It also comes with a 3 compartmentalized dish, which consists 3 different paste that is to be dipped in to the Viet Pho-Bo soup. Pretty cool eh? But before any of you scurry to try this dish out, let me caution you-it is an acquired taste, if you are the type who thinks that i-like-my-noodles-fried- then stick to it. I can unabashedly admit, I’m p.r.e.t.t.y. adventurous with my food, but it took me some time to adjust to the taste of the Viet Pho,  2/3 of the way through the dish I felt like giving up (which rarely happens hahah..) this could be due to the large serving and the tangible taste of spicy notes of ginger and herbs on my tastebuds. Trust me the dish is not for the faint-hearted!

But there are favourites that you can enjoy, mee goreng mamak is an instant hit with the family. They added a new twist to an old classic, the serving were pretty generous, and the restaurant did not skimp on their ingredients, there were slices of squid, slivers of chicken, topped off with several flat shrimp wanton at the top.

The trip to Sedap Corner is not without its glamour quotient, if you enjoy watching Chef Bob Skuter strutting his stuff on the goggle-box, you can catch him in person (he’s not that hard to miss) as part of the 3 head chefs there. If you plan to head down to the restaurant, do head down in the late afternoon because you won’t have to wait for a seat, unlike its nights, where many expatriates and large families come to eat.

The prices are suitably priced for a set course, it is reasonably priced at $11-$15 dollars each and did i mention that its service is wonderful too? Kak Ju is one of the servers there and she prides herself informing customers of the daily specials with such candour and wit.

 so if you are tired of eating at the run-of the- mill- kedai kopi, head down to:

Sedap Corner Restaurant (Singapore)
282 Bedok Road,
Singapore 469438 
Tel: +65 6445 9987 (its at Simpang Bedok, its situated at the farthest end of road beside the Simpang Bedok Post office)

P/S: This eating establishment is run by Malays, isn’t it heartening to know so do your part and help spread the word , I am sure they could do with the additional business

A ride in the parks

Have you ever wondered where else can you go on this ubiquitous -ly small island? Are you tired of pounding your feet on the same old gravel pavement each time you go out? Fret not, there is a healthier solution and it comes with minimal cost. The newly launched 42-km long Eastern Costal Park Connector Network links up popular beach parks of East Coast, Changi Beach, Pasir Ris and other parks in the eastern part of Singapore, such as Bedok Reservoir Park and Bedok Town Park.

The Park Connector Network or (PCN) is an island-wide network of linear open spaces that link up major parks, nature sites and housing estates in Singapore.  Built on drainage reserves, foreshore and road reserves, the PCN, lined with lush greenery and shielded from the hustle and bustle of traffic noise and exhaust fumes, provides additional recreational areas for activities like jogging, cycling and in-line skating.  At the same time, they link up residential and urban areas, offering shady and convenient shortcut routes to bus stops, MRT stations and markets.  When completed, the entire network across the whole island will make it convenient to travel from park to park.

And for those who would want to spend a day in the parks doing a spot of work, you’d be surprised at how “advanced” our parks are. Several of these green havens have FREE Wi-fi access, so you can surf the net while enjoying the cool breeze opposite Kallang Waterfront. So what are you waiting for? Grab some bikes, and bring your loved ones along for a ride.

Free Wi-Fi in Parks Visitors can now enjoy free wireless broadband access under the Wireless@SG programme at these parks and gardens in Singapore:

Singapore Botanic Gardens
Woodlands Town Garden Park
Ang Mo Kio Town Garden East Park
Toa Payoh Town Park
Pasir Ris Park
West Coast Park
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve
Woodlands Town Garden Park
Woodlands Town Garden Park
Woodlands Town Garden Park

 The Whampoa Park Connector

The 7 km Kallang Park Connector stretches all the way from Bishan Park towards Braddell Road, down to Potong Pasir, Serangoon Road, Bendemeer Road and Kallang Bahru, before ending at Kallang Riverside Park at Geylang Road.Spanning 2 km along the drainage reserve of Sungei Whampoa, the Whampoa Park Connector links Toa Payoh Town Garden to Serangoon Road. Nearby residents use this beautiful green corridor as a convenient short cut to the Toa Payoh MRT station and town centre.

The Kallang Park Connector

The 7 km Kallang Park Connector stretches all the way from Bishan Park towards Braddell Road, down to Potong Pasir, Serangoon Road, Bendemeer Road and Kallang Bahru, before ending at Kallang Riverside Park at Geylang Road.Spanning 2 km along the drainage reserve of Sungei Whampoa, the Whampoa Park Connector links Toa Payoh Town Garden to Serangoon Road. Nearby residents use this beautiful green corridor as a convenient short cut to the Toa Payoh MRT station and town centre.

Credits: All text and information above was taken from the National Parks Board, Singapore website. You can find a list of other park connectors across the island on the site at www.nparks.gov.sg

motivational quote

If you think you are beaten you are; If you think you dare not, you don’t; If you want to win but think you can’t; It’s almost a cinch you won’t.If you think you’ll lose you’re lost; For out of the world we find Success begins with a fellow’s will; It’s all in a state of mind.

Life’s battles don’t always go To the stronger and faster man, But sooner or later the man who wins Is the man who thinks he can.

Author Unknown

Movie Screening at Singapore Polytechnic

Just a heads up for a school event organised by one of our volunteers, Farhana.

Hello there!
For all film lovers out there!
Time to watch something different!!!
Singapore Polytechnic and Asian Film Archive are collaborating for the first time ever
to bring you an Indonesia film screening by Miles Production this coming October.
This collaborations aims to promote and bring you guys closer to our regional talented filmmakers!

FOR MORE INFO OR PURCHASING THE TICKETS,
U CAN MAIL ME BACK! OR SMS ME AT
9*****0.

REGARDS,
FARHANA

happy fasting!

i found this information quite interesting… and hey i think it makes fasting even more worthwhile.

Fasting provides a period of concentrated physiological rest during which time the body can devote its self-healing mechanisms to repairing and strengthening damaged organs. The process of fasting also allows the body to cleanse cells of accumulated toxins and waste products

A fast that is appropriate for your situation will allow for you to experience some or all of the following:

* More energy

* Healthier skin

* Healthier teeth and gums

* Better quality sleep

* A decrease in anxiety and tension

* Dramatic reduction or complete elimination of aches and pains in muscles and joints

* Decrease or elimination of headaches

* Stabilization of blood pressure

* Stronger and more efficient digestion

* Stabilization of bowel movements

* Loss of excess weight

* Elimination of stored toxins

It is also important to understand that the most important part of a fast is how a person lives after the fast. Fasting can provide a clean and revitalized foundation upon which you can build and maintain a strong and well-conditioned body by consistently making healthy food and lifestyle choices.

Our Pelita student composition of the month (July)

It was a bright and sunny day. I went out to play soccer. My friends and I contemplated if we should play at the street soccer court or at the field. We played at the nearest streetsoccer court. After a tired day, we went to a restaurant which is nearby the court

While we were enjoying the food, some journalists and cameramen from channel Y came to a table and asked some questions. When we looked back, we were surprised to see two celebrities eating behind us all along. The reporters rushed to the celebrities by asking a lot of questions. The poor celebrities could only answer some of them.

The noise level at the restaurant was so great that we needed to be close to each other to listen to what our friends were saying. There was a huge crowd behind the journalists, reporters and cameramen. The flashing of the cameras irritated us and we stopped eating , washed our hands and headed towards the huge crowd. We asked the people to make way but they would not listen so we decided to squeeze our way out but the people kept pushing us in.

We finally went out of the crowd with disappointment and anger. The crowd made us so angry that we felt like thrashing them up at the restaurant, but we concealed our anger and it soon subsided. We hope that one day the celebrities will come back to the restaurant and we will have a nice time talking to them without the people from the press.

Written by: Muhammad Khan

Age: 12 years old

School: Balestier Hill Primary School

Hobbies: Soccer, fishing, playing computer games

“Singapore is the most forward thinking nation”

Or so according to Harvard Business Review (courtesy of the PSD and MR blog), Malaysia comes a close 4th..

It will be interesting if we could find out how they defined “forward thinking” though…anyways I thought it’ll make for an interesting resource kinda post

Children of the slums of North Jakarta

I found this on youtube while browsing through the internet. Goes to show how sheltered we are from the woes of underdevelopment. In fact there are many other areas in South East Asia that suffer from the same plight.

It will be tempting to probe the video beyond face value and asks ourselves: what are the root causes of poverty, are there any viable solutions to such problems, would these kids be better off if public housing was made available, if total redevelopment is out of the question what would you recommend to make their lives marginally better? . Food for thought perhaps…

Watch this space for-

Assalamualaikum wr. wb.

I am sure many of you out there are wondering, what exactly will the pelita blog contain. Thus far it seems to be a mixture of serious and light hearted stuff. Well it is exactly the combination of the two that we are trying to achieve.

A weblog which is informative but yet interesting enough so that everyone and anyone can participate and contribute in. And of course the pelita blog will act as a media piece for pelita detailing our progress, events, milestones et cetera.

Here’s a run down of the various categories and its constituents

Announcements
-This is self-explanatory right. Announcements, what is there not to understand

Community
-It is in this section that we post events held by other organisations be it by mendaki, muis or even school events. It is here also that issues pertaining to our community at large are discussed

Events
-Another self-explanatory category. Events organised by Pelita

Resources for parents
-Amongst the objectives of Pelita is the empowerment of the parent with skills and resources to effectively bring up their child. Most of our Pelita homes are without a computer, but that is something we’re working on however this section would also serve the general public and the general population of parents. Occasionally guest writers will be invited to write a piece or two in their respective fields of expertise

Resources for students
-This section will cater to the needs of students from primary school to tertiary level. A wide range of materials from social studies/GP reading materials to primary level maths will be posted.

Random Ramblings
-We realise that if posts on this blog are designed in the manner stated above, it’ll get pretty boring fast. Hence random ramblings as its name suggests is the ‘fun’ side of the blog (in fact we would like to think that every aspect of our blog is fun) where anything and everything is discussed. (subject of course to editing)

Working paper/Research notes
-As boring and wiry as its name sounds. This section is for *ahem* serious discussion on any areas pertaining to the resarch on the soceity, community, et cetera. Be it economic, political or sociological in nature.

Of course these are the few initial categories, do expect these to change along the way and new ones added as we go along. With that said and done, do have fun browsing through and participating in our weblog

Pls pls pls leave your feedback about this post or the general assessment/recommendations of this blog via the comment box below. Many thanks.

Wassalam

Education Seminar for Parents

Mendaki dan Moe akan menganjurkan satu siri seminar khas untuk para ibu bapa pelajar. Butir-butir seminar tersebut boleh didapati di bawah.

————————————————————————————————————————–

Inginkan maklumat terkini mengenai perubahan-perubahan dalam Sistem Pendidikan untuk para pelajar kita? Sertailah Siri Seminar Pendidikan anjuran Yayasan MENDAKI. Seminar ini akan dapat membantu anda memahami laluan-laluan pendidikan yang ada dan kesannya terhadap proses pembelajaran para pelajar. Di samping itu, anda juga dapat memperolehi pengalaman pembelajaran anak-anak di dalam bilik darjah menerusi bengkel-bengkel serentak

Topik: Banding mengikut Subjek

Tarikh: 28th July/Maktab rendah Pioneer (TeckWhye)
Tarikh/Tempat: 4th Ogos/Maktab rendah Tampines

-Yayasan Mendaki

Sila, download form ini untuk keterangan lanjut.
parents-seminar_2007_flyer.doc

Mentor’s gathering @ arab street

Assalamualaikum wr. wb.

On the 8th of July, eleven of our mentors managed to excuse themselves from their busy schedule to gather at Amirah’s cafe for our customary union day. For the uninitiated, being the labour-movement loving people that we are, union day is just another elaborate term for a day where all the pelita mentors meet and have dinner together . Well here’s a short run-through of what happened on the 8th.

Arrival of guests of honour, Ahmad and Zahid who finally found a parking space after years of searching

A group photo, Ahmad showing us the consequences of steroid consumption while Zahid holds an imaginary mug

The girls taking this make believe paparazzi thing abit too seriously

Our latest (and most senior) addition to the pelita family, Mr Uncle-Waiter-Sir. We took a long time to decide on our order (which didn’t make sense if you looked at the order at the end of the day, 50% ordered chicken chop, the other 50% fish and chips…) hence the best way to pacify the agitated kind sir was by ensuring him that he will be immortalised in pixelated form. He told us after that if we switched the light on we would get a brighter picture. We didn’t take a second shot.

Arrival of Taufiq, posing in a candid but classic 1960s kinda way

Dinner’s over and here’s a group pic at the front of the restaurant, Zahid again hides behind Helmy and Sandra. Sulaiha looks on as Filza fidgets with her shoe. Filza has a shoe fetish.

What’s with sulaiha and the floor !? (Gentlemen L-R: Taufiq, Ahmad, Zahid, Helmy. Ladies L-R: Wanda, Azima, Filza, Haslina, Sulaiha, Sandra)

The ladies of Pelita after solat maghrib at Masjid Sultan and the final shot for the day. (L-R Filza, Sulaiha, Haslina, Azima, Sandra)

All in all, I’m sure all of us had fun. There are many pictures that have not been uploaded due to space constraints and non-humorous content. The absence of our other Pelita Mentors who weren’t able to attend was also sorely felt. Special mention goes out to Bro Helmy who was responsible for the painstaking task of calling and smsing everyone.

Well Insyallah may all of us meet again in future(and/or this coming sunday for tuition :0)

Wassalam

Malay income survey

The age old debate of structure vs individual behaviour is re-enacted once again . What really determines the success of malay youths.A good work ethic or a good cert?

While both these components are essential in scaling the heights of success, which carries a heavy weightage in the formative years of your carrer. And when we so often hear the old adage that malay workers need to adopt a more positive attitude towards work to be successful, is it all that true?

Results from the survey are collated and an econometric analysis will render a regression, where the level of income an individual is measured against variables such as education, experience and attitude .

Caveat: Survey results are inconclusive and are in no way related to Project Pelita. Only malay youths between the age of 21-35 and working full time are eligible for the survey. Results of the survey will be posted on a public internet domain and will be emailed to all participants and any interested parties.

Firdaus Salim

Click here to take the survey

Parenting tips – links, references, articles

This post is dedicated to bringing you a selection of parenting tips and other related materials that can be found on the internet.

And as always we are constantly on the lookout for such resources. If you of know of any and would like to include them in our list, do leave a comment after this post or drop us an email at project_pelita@yahoo.com.sg

Wassalam ,

Tags: Parents, schools, information, articles

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A collection of guide books detailing every aspect of a parents journey. Other family related materials can also be found here: http://fcd.ecitizen.gov.sg/PopularTopics/EducationalMaterials/

A direct link from moe’s website. A database which displays basic school information, school location and school achievements: http://app.sis.moe.gov.sg/schinfo/index.asp

Project Pelita in Berita Harian

Well many months have passed since then, but I guess a snapshot of the article and us being featured on a national paper might make for a good post.

MOE financial assistance scheme

Another form of financial help offered that often goes unnoticed. Here at Pelita, we are committed to disseminating such information not only to students and parents from our tuition scheme but also to the general public at large.

Forms are available at most community centers.

If you know of any other assistance schemes, do drop us a mail at project_pelita@yahoo.com.sg or leave a comment after this post. Thank you.

Wassalam

English Version
financial-assitance-moe.pdf

A day in the life of a news junkie

Well, being a junkie isn’t that bad afterall. As long as the only thing that gets you high is the surge of current affairs and well written commentaries that is.

From time to time, this post will be updated with links and/or reviews of any form of literature that would appease the GP loving person in you.

Tags: A level, O level, current affairs, general knowledge, news

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Project Syndicate
Each year, Project Syndicate delivers hundreds of commentaries by prominent figures to the world’s foremost newspapers.
Quite a substantial amount of commentaries from this website have appeared in the editorial section of Straits Times. Current affairs dissected and delivered in succulent bits by prominent thinkers around the globe.

VoxEU.org
A purely european version of project syndicate. Articles are largely economic in nature. Features top academics from the European region

Just some random pictures of our volunteers and students

Our students during their break time

Haslina and her primary 5 students

Zahid and his secondary students

(L-R) Azima, Haslina, unidentified man, Sulaiha, Ahmad hanging out after tuition

Filza and Azima working the camera