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AotearoaMaori   AotearoaMaori Enigma's TIGblog
Enigma's profile

He's out of our lives...

WELL what I day, I guess I'm still in shock. This morning Michael Jackson died. In the background, as I write this blog, I have his song She's Out of My Life playing. It was such a shock when my boss burst into the room breaking the news. I had heard on the radio earlier that he had been rushed to hospital, but it didn't sink in, I didn't think it was serious. He's the King of Pop man. But it's real. He's gone. The King of Pop is dead.

Although I'm a bit young to have been around at the beginnings of his career in Jackson 5 and Off The Wall, I still kinda grew up with his music being played. My Mum was a big fan of his and Michael Jackson was always playing on the records/tapes and later CDs at home. It was also my Mum's birthday today, but I guess this kinda put a dampener on that for her.
Michael was legend man! His songs were transgenerational and Michael may not have got to live forever like he wanted, but his songs will definately live for forever for him, as his legacy. Especially the early songs from back singing with his brothers and the MoTown days, to Off the Wall and of course Thriller.


I'm going to end this post with a couple of vids of two of my favourite songs of his... Smooth Criminal and Black and White




My heart goes out to his 3 kids Prince, Paris and Blanket and to the rest of his family. Love you Michael always and forever xxx May you rest in peace. Peace be upon your family in this tragic time for all your fans and friends but especially for the Jackson family.

June 26, 2009 | 6:06 AM Comments  0 comments

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AotearoaMaori   AotearoaMaori Enigma's TIGblog
Enigma's profile

Getting back on the wagon

OK in the few months since I moved to the city I seem to have slipped into old habits. I haven't had time yet to establish a new garden to grown my on veges and I have been living on junk food lately - I guess that's what happens when u move from a small town and your new place is just down the road from maccas. I have also lapsed out of my vegetarian status and have been eatting alot of chicken lately. I feel terrible about it but I can't help it!

Anyway, the first trimester of uni is almost over (last exam this Saturday) and I should actually be studying right now but what the hell! The reason I'm resuming writing to this blog is I am really thinking how I need to get back on the treehugger bandwagon. So I'm thinking I need a new challenge to help re-motivate me. After all, the climate change problem isn't going to go away on its own now is it. Every individual action counts. Which leads me to Greenpeace's latest campaign Sign On. With ambassadors such as Lucy Lawless and Keisha Castle-Hughes, Greenpeace is attempting to recruit as many people as possible to convince PM John Key to sign on to a 40 percent emission reduction target by 2020 in Copenhagen. Have u signed on yet? The world needs us because there is NO PLANET B.

Check out the vid below:



Okay, now back to my new challenge. As you know if you've been reading my blog since the beginning, I started manaakipapatuanuku with the six-month buy nothing challenge which had mixed results - although shortterm.

Now I'm going to look to another global pollution problem - PLASTIC. The problem with plastic is that it doesn't biodegrade, it photodegrades. Meaning it breaks up in light into smaller and smaller pieces which are dangerous to sea and bird life as these micro pieces of plastic are mistaken for food. There's also the chemical/toxic make up of plastic - it's basically oil and as we all know oil is a finite resource and peak oil is another constant threat. So to do my bit I'm going to attempt to cut plastic out of by life for good. To go on a plastic-free diet so to speak. I will be following in the footsteps of other plastic-free bloggers such as Fake Plastic Fish and Life Less Plastic and trawling through their blog-chives for inspiration and tips.

It's not going to be easy with temptation everywhere in this plastic world. But alas, just like the oil age, I think the plastic-age is coming to an end. But unfortunately existing plastic is going to be overstaying in our environment for millions of years yet.

So here's to:
- saying no to new plastic (I will retain existing plastic and buy post-consumer recycled plastic items)
- finding alternatives to plastic
- pushing for a plastic recycling plant in NZ (all our plastic we put in the recycling at present is being shipped to China. We should be cleaning up our own mess not shoving it onto someone else to take care of).

Here's to a new start and a life without plastic! XD

June 16, 2009 | 12:06 PM Comments  0 comments

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suzievesper   suzievesper Suzie Vesper's TIGblog
Suzie Vesper's profile

Free flash educational games

The second blog post in the series of ideas from clusters is half written but it is taking a back seat while I just share a few fun and educational games I’ve been playing.

I followed a link on Twitter which took me to a directory of free flash games and there was an educational category. I had a go at playing quite a few of them and here are some of my favourites. Clicking on the link will take you to the site to play the game.

Numeracy

Tower blaster - probably my favourite game I played. Very strategic - have to get the blocks in correct order before computer team.

Tower blaster game

Click here to play this game

Maths Power - have to choose numbers to make given answers. I’m not very good at this one! Can’t scan the numbers fast enough and get panicky with the countdown. I’m not going to share my score :-)

Maths Power game

Click here to play this game

Literacy

Could see the kids loving this one but I am hopeless at games involving mixed up letters. Still others will do better than me I expect.

Spiderman 2 - Web of Words

Spiderman word game

Click here to play this game

A very simple game to teach young children to match uppercase and lower case letters with Pooh Bear.

Pooh’s Match ‘n’ Munch

Match upper and lower case game

Click here to play this game

Other subjects

This one looks to have been designed for med students and involves cutting open a knee for surgery but I could see older kids being fasinated as they learn how to perform the knee surgery. High level comprehension exercise with a real life context.

Virtual Knee Surgery


Click here to play this game

Brain Safari - a variety of problem solving games

Brain Safari

Click here to play this game

Music game - learn the notes and their position on the keyboard.

Music Match

Click here to play this game

Typing game - type the words on the sharks before they reach you.

Treasure Dive

Click here to play this game

There are more on the site and I didn’t play them all so you could go and try some more out.

http://www.y8.com/tags/Educational/1


Authored by suzievesper. Hosted by Edublogs.

June 13, 2009 | 6:06 AM Comments  0 comments

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Melania   Melania Melania Luka Lui's TIGblog
Melania Luka Lui's profile

Samoan Catholic Chaplaincy
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

The Samoan Chaplaincy Youth is the largest Youth group within the Wellington Archdiocese and has been going for over 30 years. Lead by Samoan Chaplains Rev Fr Maleko Api-Tufuga and Sr Pesio Iosefo smsm. The Chaplaincy Youth Organising Committee consists: Catechesis Vaueli Tolova’a FKS and his wife Mrs Veronika Tolovaa; President - Mr Ova Moananu; Vice President - Aukusitino Smith; and office. They are working together organising and planning programmes in instilling and nurturing our Catholic faith and Samoan Culture amongst the youth. The Samoan Chaplaincy Youth Ministry is made up of 12 various youth groups from as far East as Strathmore to as far North as Levin with a minimum of around 40 members per group.

A group of at least 100 Samoan youths, Catechesis and parents, came together under the leadership of Pilgrim & Group leaders – Rev Fr Maleko Api-Tufuga; Sr Pesio Iosefo smsm; Vaueli Tolova’a FKS; Melania Lui; Tava’e Mika, Maryanne Trisha Tusa, Julia Nonumalo Clausen; Ursula Muavae; Pauline Tuia; Sapatu Sola, and choreographer Myikal Asovale. Here, the Youth representatives of WSCY for WYD 08 were formed. These leaders organised and affiliated fundraising events, fellowship nights, practices and programmes for their pilgrims. For the next year and half, these leaders worked hard for their youths to attend World Youth Day 2008.

One of the questions from the preparations of WYD08 was “What will we get out of WYD?” – Our question and vision was “What can we, the Samoan Catholic Youth of Wellington, GIVE to the Youth of the World at WYD 08?” This was to be our mission – to be Christ’s Witnesses and to give.

With an abundance of talent and skill within the Youth, we applied to animate Catechesis, perform for Youth Festival and enthrone the Bible at the Final Mass – we got two out three – Animation and Youth Fest! YEAH! The Fijians beat us to the enthronement (ha). All pilgrims participated in the preparation of the programmes, sewing, teaching songs and dances, prayer and leadership fellowship.


HOME AWAY FROM HOME - SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK!

This was to be home for the next week – and we were truly blessed! Easy access to public transport, a complex filled with recreation for our pleasure and a great pancake and ice cream stand for midnight indulgences. We got to cheer “All Blacks!” at an Australian League game at the ANZ Stadium. Our accommodation was different from all the groups from NZ, instead of being billeted to families, or going to a school hall or staying in a hostel, we were accommodated with the World in one massive complex!

We celebrated mass with 800 Samoans, conversed about Lord of the Rings with the Americans for blue rosaries, shared our 200 piece KFC with the Chileans, joked with the Canadians, swapped lava lavas and shirts with the Koreans and Italians, danced and circled with the Argentineans and Brazilians and taught a group game “Pukana” to the Australians. We met so many pilgrims from many countries and were able to share our culture and faith with the World.


OCEANIA & YOUTH FESTIVAL

Our first performance was an invitation from the Oceania Committee – a festival of celebrating Pacifica at WYD08. Held at Tulloong Park at Darling Harbour we started off the morning by first waking up Sydney CBD with our drums and chants as we made our way to Darling Harbour, we arrived three hours early so we decided to teach the crowd the game “Pukana’ and “Le Manu’. This drew in more pilgrims and we performed to a crowd that filled the park on a stage of plastic crates. Our Second performance was to open the Youth Festival at Hyde Park, in front of St Mary’s Cathedral in the City. To our surprise we came to a stage of sand, it was of aboriginal significance and was privileged to have had the opportunity to perform the Haka on it. Hyde Park was packed; crowds sprawled onto the footpath and walkways wanting to see our performance. The last and final performance was beyond our expectation – Southern Precinct at Randwick Racecourse where the Pope celebrated mass. We were lead by our Pilgrim leaders, Fr Mareko and Sr Pesio, on top of the Red stage performing to thousands and thousands of pilgrims sharing with them our culture. Performing our Samoan traditional dances, the Haka and ending with the taualuga danced by our three Taupous, Katrina Letiu, Theresa Tolova’a and Salainaola Lisa-Maree Wilson representing the three regions of the Chaplaincy Youth, dancing with such grace and singing with pride. Thank you to all the groups that stayed behind that day just to cheer and support us. After each performance we were met with a frenzy of pilgrims with cameras and TV news crews from ABC, International and NZ news. A cultural performance and experience that will always be treasured for years to come.


ANIMATING CATECHESIS – OUR LADY OF MT CARMEL, WATERLOO

A beautiful church on top of a hill was to be our base for animating catechesis. We were joined by one of the youths from the Dunedin diocese, Wainuiomata St Patrick’s’ Samoan youth, the American Samoan Archdiocese and parishioners of the parish. We had Bishop John Dew to open our Catechesis, followed by Bishop Adrian Doyle of Hobart on Thursday and concluding with Bishop Malcolm McMahon of Nottingham, UK – Spirit filled presentations. Testimonies of living faith shared by Ake Laumemea, Maryann Leota and Ressa Lealofi, accompanied with spiritual dance compositions from the our whole youth with soloist performances from Lional Taito, Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Meli and Michael Faamau. It was three days of reviving our spirituality, to understand more about our faith and encouragement to embrace our Lords Words and Works and take that step forward as Witnesses of Christ. On the last day of animation, as we were waiting for the bus, a stranger walked past, returned and asked for us to pray for her – she looked worn out and heavy burdened – the whole group came in, circled around and laid our hands in prayer over her – the miracle, was she trusted in God through Us to pray for her.

World Youth Day for the Wellington Samoan Chaplaincy Youth was a Spiritual revival, an enhancement of our faith as Witnesses of Christ. We had a “pilgrimage of a lifetime’. We are unified as a group for Christ. We were able to attend with a difference, by participating in animation and performance, we shared our culture and faith with the World, we represented not only Wellington Archdiocese but NZ and Samoa.

On behalf of our Samoan Chaplains, Rev Fr Mareko Api Tufuga and Sr Pesio Iosef smsm and the pilgrims of the Wellington Samoan Chaplaincy Youth – Faafetai, faafetai, faafetai lava.

Melania Lui
Samoan Chaplaincy WYD Co-ordinator

June 10, 2009 | 2:12 AM Comments  0 comments

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cherrie   cherrie Cherrie's TIGblog
Cherrie's profile

Bluepill Redpill

Hmm, so last Thurs MC kindly suggested that I should take a chill pill at least one day per week (DC reiterates this point, as does everyone who knows me, I'm sure). Well, I'm embarrassed that I still have to be told this sort of thing - I'm a grown woman!! IV thought this last phrase was hilarious... =(

Well, I don't want to be the stresser or the sad one, or generally show any weakness, because history has shown that our lab does not take 'weakness' lightly. No, in all fairness the lab is very supportive and understanding, but it's just scary to watch people drop out of a PhD or not get offered one. It's scary shit. I guess that in general, people prefer extroverted, witty, clever/skilled at many things, humble, easy-going, deep, involved, logical and compassionate types - just like von Neumann.

I know about von Neumann from Chapter 5 of "Who Got Einstein's Office?", which talks about people who have been through the Institute of Advanced Study in (not of) Princeton. I read that chapter last night. And Chapter 4 the night before, 3 the night before and 2 the night before that... Yes, you're quite right, I was offered this book at the meeting with MC. I can look at brief biographies of people like von Neumann in three main ways: (1) a goal I can never attain; (2) a goal; (3) a goal I used to achieve. Depends on the day, I guess.

Chapter 4 was about fractals (see also) and set theory. I am fascinated by fractals, simply because I don't really understand them and I cannot imagine these extra dimensions in my mind. In fact, I couldn't get to sleep because I was probably thinking about transcendental numbers and I couldn't stay asleep for very long so I could look them up online in the morning. I hate that. The subconscious OCD-ness, despite conscious self-discipline... most of the time.

Chapter 1 was boring - about the Institute's beginnings and Flexnor, the guy who visioned and ran it for a while. Chapter 2 was on Einstein I think and it was disappointingly scarce on detail. 3 was on Godel and I found it sad that he thought he had not given enough to the Institute, the world, nor God. The writer goes on tangents sometimes, it's a bit weird and ever so slightly annoying.

Well, since Chapter 4 (and installing bloody CS3, which took 5x more time than what I allocated) gave me only 3.5 hours of sleep on Sun night, I think all of the new information from various people in my life was teetering me like a Jenga tower and I got horrendously upset last night and in fact, this morning. Don't get me wrong, I feel privileged to be in the know, but I guess there are many things to think about now and my brain bled some tears. It's also why I'm not talking to people, because there's a traffic jam into the Broca's. Hm... I know I don't have any control over the family worries, but at least I can offer my ears and money. I guess.

Well, I made a worry pie. I won't make a happy pie, simply because too many things make me happy and I'm easily amused, anyway. It's sort of funny that IJ's worry is over whether or not he wants to stay in science, moreso than whether or not he has the ability to do well, whereas I am definitely the other way around.

12 months from now, 7 people in my life are expected to no longer be in "reachable" distance. Well, why not.


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June 9, 2009 | 5:06 AM Comments  0 comments

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cherrie   cherrie Cherrie's TIGblog
Cherrie's profile

Microsoft Regional Innovative Students' Forum 2009
Related to country: Malaysia

Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

It's over, it's over. :( Luckily, I still have my reflections before I pop this bubble and breathe reality's air again.

Disclaimer: ~ 5 hrs sleep for ~ 7 consecutive nights didn't lend to real-time blogging, as I intended. But you know I'm more of a retro-blogger... Anyway, you have been warned: (1) This is long; (2) I am crazy; (3) Pick and mix - the bits you skip won't cry - I promise; (4) the Boxes are tangents. Hell, I feel like a tangent at times. :P

BACKGROUND

This was the 5th Asia-Pacific Microsoft Regional Innovative Teachers’ Conference, with participants from New Zealand, Philippines, Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia, to name a few. It was sponsored by Microsoft Corporation, with support from the Ministry of Education Malaysia, UNESCO and TakingITGlobal.org (TIG), to bring together teachers from Asia-Pacific to showcase innovative approaches to teaching that involve technology. The teacher attendees were chosen within their own countries as the best (don't ask me about this process, I don't know) and presented posters throughout the short Teachers' Forum (2 days) to each other and to a panel of judges who graded using the following criteria: level of innovation, effect on student participation and involvement, extent of student autonomy, relevant use of technology, in the context of available resources (e.g. funds, equipment, skill and connectivity). One winner from each country will have the privilege of competing at the global Teachers’ Forum in Brazil in November.

This year is the first time that Student Voices have been present at this region’s forum. Though it may seem like an obvious idea, its acceptance requires a leap from many educators, particularly in areas where education is still highly disciplinary and learning is assumed with teaching. TIG played a key role in finding and engaging students who would best represent the student body of the Asia-Pacific region. Students were invited to participate in online discussions over a period of ~ 3 weeks to discuss the state of education in their countries, as well as ideas about what the ideal or the future of education may look like (cf. Student Voices 20051). 15 students were chosen to attend a ‘Student Forum’ (ISF09) that occurred alongside and at the same venue (Le Meridien) as the Teachers' Forum, immersing the students in ~ 4 days of intense development and voice.

THE ISF09 PROGRAMME included:

  • discussion with local students about education: 57 students from a local KL school (who had to write an exam immediately following the meeting!) met with the student delegates and answered questions about education in groups for about 2 hours - I thought this was a good idea, at least to get more students thinking about their education and for them to know that this sort of work goes on "behind the scenes"
  • brainstorming workshop by Bernise Ang and Shaun Koh of Syinc.org: a session to help the students think more deeply about issues surrounding education and what they can do to help inspire change - I thought this was timely, especially since all of the student delegates had already talked a lot about their ideas online and it was a great time to explore them a bit more deeply and to think about their ideas in more realistic terms
  • presentation by Joel Neoh on entrepreneurship: he shares his experiences and thoughts after winning Malaysia's version of The Apprentice, 'The Firm', modelling and co-founding YouthSays.com, Malaysia's largest for-profit network of youth opinion - sort of like what 18tracker was, bu obviously better model since they have a larger contact base and also hold real events to retain and attract new members) - I think his "for-profit" model turned a lot of the students off, but nevertheless I thought it was very clever of him to harness the power of a contact list - he is obviously a very resourceful person and pragmatic about what he wants.
  • presentation and personal help by Brian Lariche on project management: Brian shares his experiences as a teacher/tutor, working with NGOs and life in general! He generously gave up his time to come back and give priceless one-on-one advice and support to the students' projects - Brian is a very interesting person, who is generous with his time and opinions - I would have liked to battle some of the topics that were raisedt if I had not felt that I might have overshadowed the students' opportunity.
  • student projects: students were given time and mentorship to brainstorm and present their ideas for improving an aspect of education through use of technology. The aim was to submit these projects for a chance to receive funding from a pool of USD5000, provided by Microsoft. These 'Micro-Grants' are intended to give the students a taste of what it takes to develop, plan and execute projects on a small scale and more importantly, provides an opportunity for their models to be tested before application for further funding and expansion. On top of this prize pool, there was also the opportunity to win free enrolment into TIG's e-course 'Sprout' for youth professional development - I think these projects were the most enjoyable part of the forum for the students - they felt like they were contributing something. However, with perspective, these will just be small stepping stones and I hope the students will remember lessons from side-conversations in years to come, as I will, no doubt.
  • student-teacher interaction: a formal session for students to address teachers was provided, as well as informal gatherings during poster presentations and breaks - to be frank, I don't think there was enough opportunity for the students and teachers to talk. Even at the Gala Dinner, I felt that the student presence was being side-lined. However, I realise that this is the first time students has been at this forum and I think it was a good first effort. Hopefully, it will continue to grow in creative ways in the future.
  • mentors and TIG staff: to help enable Student Voices on the ground, Michael Furdyk (co-founder and Director of Technology of TIG), Kat Walraven (Education Program Manager, TIG), along with 3 mentors, Bernise Ang, Shaun Koh and I basically tailed the students at every waking hour. :P Although the 3 mentors were initially designated 3 groups of students, I found that we all got along so well, it was basically one big happy group - I very much enjoyed observing and learning from this interesting group of people, with amazing skills and ideas. I only wish that I had more time with each of them to talk about our thoughts and experiences!!! I think at this age, it is difficult to find people who you connect with because everyone is moving in their own directions so rapidly. I thought we all got along extremely well.

PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS

Projects and Hope

In my opinion, the one theme that resonates with all of the student project ideas is equality. The students wanted others to receive the same opportunities they had/have, regardless of their socio-economic status, locality, teacher/school system or temporal-residency. I made this last term up to describe some students’ focus on sustainable development and ecological preservation, which in essence ensures that future generations have the same opportunities as we do.

Observing young people of diverse background/opportunity share a unified desire for equality makes me think about all of the families, teachers and communities that are successfully teaching (instructing and demonstrating) compassion. I think that the ability to place ourselves in others' shoes is a fundamental ingredient in achieving sustainability. However, teaching compassion is not easy, particularly when basic selfishness is confused with greed, and when young people are difficult to reach. I imagine thin golden threads wavering from a small child’s inner eye, attracted to and caught by larger threads that are coloured and tarnished from experience. Each cable can spark a connection that transfers love, understanding and knowledge. Together, all of the cables caress and shape this child's potential. However, the ability to spark is contextual and each community needs to establish and understand its own values and find its own way in engaging its youth and citizens. Without this, no community or society has a positive future (Box 1).


Box 1:

Building Communities

Of course, not only are cultural behaviours important, societies must also reconsider its behaviours that are biologically suicidal. For example, if we continue to pummel through our limited resources, then we are essentially killing our chances of survival. I don't really want to go into all of the arguments about 'climate change', but I think the basic idea of sustainable development makes sense. See, perhaps, Jared Diamond's Collapse: How Societies Choose To Fail Or Succeed. I have yet to read this, but have heard Diamond talk about it when he visited the University of Auckland a few years ago.

Society is More than The Sum of the Individuals

I was staring at the night-scape of Kuala Lumpur, marvelling at the lights when I suddenly saw that we can solve everything by understanding each other, so that we are able to unite our individual efforts. The problem is engagement and one can only spark passion in others by first understanding the way they view the world. For example, it would be ideal to reduce the number of city lights turned on at night to reduce power consumption. However, lighting is considered important for safety (though the validity of this is disputed in some places), so basically, we need to reduce crime. To stop raising criminals, we need equal distribution of resources and responsible communities that work to raise children together. We need more holistic/inclusive thinking/planning, for example, using ramps instead of short escalators, adjustable thermostats, smarter water cycling. The narrow thinking evident in various facets of society may be a result of an education system where the world is arbitrarily segregated and consumed in a well-pre-processed manner. Where are our integrators? Where are our high NA lenses with large fields of view?


Youth

I have learned a lot from each individual of our 20-strong crew. Every person was interesting, with their own talents, idiosyncracies, ways of thinking, stories and passions. I think one characteristic that defines youthfulness is agility. They are open-minded and open-hearted. They are eager to learn and unafraid to be optimistic.

I enjoyed observing: their faces light up at the chance to talk about their passions, at the making of new friends, at the seeding and germination of new ideas; their features break into smiles and laughter at wit, irony and fun; their eyebrows furrow at difficult concepts, tight deadlines and lack of sleep. I watched the TIG team work: listening to the students and offering insightful/motivating suggestions and stories when necessary, while I tried to do the same. I was inspired by everyone’s dedication and rapid connection with each other - TIG continues to catalyse precipitation of like-minded youths. =P

My favourite moments were the one-on-one conversations. I hope I imparted some useful "wisdom", but at the same time clear that I am learning, too - I don't claim to know everything, if anything! If only I had more time to get to know everyone and learn about their stories and ideas, not just about education.

"Night, Field of stars above us. You pick one, we frame it with our fingers intertwined. Seeds, of every generation, between our hands and I promise to teach you the little I have learned, So far..." Seeds, Brooke Fraser

I am so excited about what these young people may experience. Many of them are moving through school and entering college and indeed, the world, with a lot of hope. They will face challenges and disappointments and I would like to be a source of support and friendship, if they will let me. But already, I feel that this experience has been a privilege, for I am young, too. I am excited about my future, too.


Box 2:

West Vs. East

There may be an interesting and not necessarily sharp contrast between students schooled in Eastern and Western countries. Of course, this is not surprising if you listen to stereotypes, but it should surprising if you consider that most, if not all, of the education systems and curricula in South-East Asia are based on Western (e.g. Cambridge) systems. This leads me to yet another rant about community values (Box 1), where the culture of school and wider communities (including upbringing), more than the school system itself, shapes a child's attitudes towards formal education. No doubt, the lack of formal credit towards non-academic endeavours will also play a role in student motivation, but this are also reflect community values. I am always ranting about values, simply because I don't think many people know what their own are and why.

As a group, I was impressed with their diligence, aptitude and dedication in listening and completing tasks to a high standard. But they also giggled and whispered during boring presentations and you knew when they lost respect for someone. I would really like to dispel the myth that all Asian students possess an academic advantage. In all of the students that perform well, I think the common theme is that education is held in high esteem. They have been taught that only a sound education will allow them to get ahead, get out of poverty, realise their dreams, in life. Not just a pass or a piece of paper, but a good education. It is not just the family unit either, it is the entire nation - yes, I am actually saying that NZ does not value intellect as a nation. It doesn't. It seems like even intellectual people put themselves down or try to prove themselves by excelling in a lot of other areas. Do the same pressures fall on sports people? I think the tell-tale sign is to ask children what they think are cool or worthwhile - they are the values of that society, hmm?

Honesty

Most of the teachers and students at these conferences have English as their second language. Though it is a barrier for participation, I think it enables honesty. I guess it is a balance between being able to express yourself and being able to spin your expression. I am profoundly attracted to honesty.


Teachers and Students Students wanted their teachers to listen to them and respect their questions and suggestions. Students wanted mentors, not instructors - guided autonomy? Students liked teachers who are able to admit their mistakes/weakneses and try to improve them. Most students already have information at their fingertips - they need help digesting it. Students have lots of ideas - they need help formulating it against existing knowledge and presenting it in a logical manner.

OTHER 'FIRSTS' AND NOTES

La Malaysians and Singaporeans end their sentences with 'la', a lot. It is interesting as a rapport-creating rhetorical device, blah blah blah - but you know what is MORE interesting about it? It is the perfect platform to launch into song, e.g. "Don't worry, la... la la la la la la....l-l-l-l-la x 2.... LA..LA..LA...heee taught me hooooow toooo waaash...." (Oh Happy Day, Sister Act) Icecream Teppanyaki Icecream + toppings + chopping = good, nutritious meal. Video here (2x speed). Fish on Feet

Dr. Fish were in the house (Central Markets) and for NZD2.5, they entertained me for 10 mins. I think they enjoyed it, too (see image - that is one content fish). YouTube video (warning: squealing).

Serama - Smallest Chickens in the World

A tiny chicken, it's true! OK, at first I was sad (because they had strange posture and vocals, see video), but they are a naturally-occurring species, which means they are less likely to have problems associated with breeding (e.g. pure-bred dogs).

Batik Painting

(1) Pencil; (2) wax; (3) water-colour; (4) remove wax. Stoked I got to try it. Trying is always a win. Movies On Planes

  • Last Chance Harvey: bad script + good actors = still bad movie.
  • The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: interesting idea - creativity = moving Brad Pitt gallery = still boring.
  • I Am Sam: interesting story + great acting (except Michelle Pfeiffer's dramatic scene) = balling eyes out on the plane = good. Being moved is always a win.

Flying Saw another plane flying by while in our Boeing... first time EVER!!! Wow, it was so fast - I knew but never grasped visually how fast it was until now. And for the first time, I noticed our plane's shadow and enjoyed watching us meeting it on the ground and seeing how fast our land speed was (ignoring the movement of the sun and our approach to the ground, etc.). Image shows tail of the other plane (bright streak) - I was too slow to capture the plane itself - and video shows the shadow. Things in a Box/Game of Things

Great game that we played after a night at the pool. Great introduction by Kat! Will remember for the future. Also thought of a PostSecret game we could have played. Oh well, next time.

The Circle So at the beginning of this trip, I was pondering about the self. I think Brian Lariche sums it up very well:
If you will think about what you ought to do for other people, your character will take care of itself. Character is a by-product, and any man who devotes himself to its cultivation in his own case will become a selfish person.
I suppose things like this are supposed to be transient. The precipitate is created and then shaken into solution again to maximise the surface area for reaction.