Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
Post 145 Down the memory lane
There was a big celebration in Britain for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in June 2012 and many people would surely have seen it on the TV news. This event brought me down the memory lane to one day in June 1952 when I was a primary one pupil in a small town. I remember my class receiving a paper bag containing a green apple, a meat bun, some sweets and a ‘gold’ coin of Queen Elizabeth from our class teacher.
There were no lessons on that day because it was a day of celebration. Later I was told by someone that it was the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth of England. It sounded very foreign to me indeed: where was England and what was the meaning of Coronation? I only knew of David, an English boy, who played with Fatimah, Ah Chong and Samy, in my Standard One Chinese language textbook. It seems to me sixty years have just gone by in a twinkling of an eye.
The British’s colonisation of Malaya had left behind a strong administrative system and an English education system. The older generation of Malaysians who are English educated would also have felt a special attachment to this Jubilee.
A memory in life is remembered for its special moment. -- Quote by Ho Nee Yong
5 June 2012
(No posting on Tuesday 29 May 2012 -on leave)
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Corfu
Post 144 The Euro Crisis
When I was a school boy, I thought of European countries as very rich. Tourists from these already developed nations were greatly welcome to the then Malaya. The western countries were rich because of the exploitation of natural resources from the host countries they colonised. Nevertheless they also left behind good administration and education systems when the colonised nations became independent. After that there was no more free supply of natural resources which have to be bought through international trades.
The Euro crisis in Greece is affecting its neighbours like Spain and Italy, with Germany trying to save the Euro. In the long term, the whole financial world will also be affected. This crisis invariably brought back my memory of Corfu. It is a very green Greek island in the Ionian Sea. During my Mediterranean cruise of 8D7N in 2006, I was on a one-day tour of Corfu during a stop-over. Corfu is definitely not a boring place to be on. The mild Mediterranean climate, excellent beaches and historical sites and architectures impressed an Asian tourist like me very much. I remember walking past a Square where the Greeks were leisurely having their afternoon tea.
The tour guide leading our group told us that by joining the European Union, food had become more expensive than the days of the drachma, the currency used in Greece before it was last replaced by the Euro in 2001. I wonder how the Greeks, who were enjoying their tea on that afternoon, are doing now. I really wish them well.
Panic is the word when our money keeps shrinking. – Quote by Ho Nee Yong
22 May 2012
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Learn when to say 'No'
Post 143 Saying ‘No’ can be difficult.
In the 1990s, I attended a one-week motivational course which cost RM4, 800. I found it very useful because there was a lecture on learning to say ‘No’. ‘No’ can be a very difficult word to utter. Many people find it hard to turn down requests from others. In the end they end up shouldering other people’s problems. In fact when we know that we really are not able to help, we should say so politely.
It is a joy and virtue to be able to help others. We should not be too egoistic as to refuse to give help to others at all. We do ask our friends for help once in a while. What is important is that we say ‘No’ with sincerity without offending others. By learning to say ‘No’ at the right time and occasion, we may find ourselves less pressurized.
As a matter of courtesy, we should also learn not to burden others by asking them to bend rules to suit us. However for requests which are difficult to fulfill, we can explain to them gently why help cannot be extended to them. It is better to say ‘No’ first rather than holding on to problems which we cannot solve. Otherwise the nightmare will come when they start to call and ask for the progress of their requests.
The word ‘No’ is short but one may take a long time to learn to say it. – Quote by Ho Nee Yong
15 May 2012
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Retirement
Post 142 A new dimension in life.
I have retired for 10 years. Before my retirement I was controlled by time: woke up early to beat the traffic jam and be on time for work, kept to work schedules, rushed for meetings, and hurried for appointments. Everything was done under the control of time. Very often I could feel my blood pressures rising and temper flaring due to frustration for being late.
For me, and I believe for many retirees, there is a new dimension in life on retirement. I do not really need to look at the clock or my watch often as I did when I was working. I am no more in control by time and I do what I want to at my own leisure. It is good to feel that I am in control of my life and am no more dictated by official routine works.
There was an article which caught my attention when the writer wrote that he knew of two professors at the same university who became reclusive on retirement. He had difficulty tracing their whereabouts. When the writer finally came face to face with one of them in a park, he was only given a ‘Hi’ greeting by his long lost friend who then walked away quickly. I too have a friend who has chosen to lead a life of voluntary seclusion from friends and social activities on retirement. He has chosen to keep away from his old friends and be an island. That is his new dimension in life. There are people who may not subscribe to the reclusive lifestyle of these retirees, but their choice ought to be respected. It will be unbearable when others should tell us how to spend our remaining years.
Life takes on a new dimension at sun set. – Quote by Ho Nee Yong
8 May 2012
(No post on 1 May 2012- Labour Day)
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Moral values
Post 141 Always be a good person
I have been asked to give my opinion for what it is worth on moral values by a group of college students. They raised this question because the supposedly sinful acts of Criminal Breach of Trust (CBT) in society have now become a norm among the so-called high society.
All societies, oriental and Western alike, attach much importance to both cultural and moral values. People in general have long been influenced by religions to manifest how pious and God fearing they are. They try their best to be morally upright to shine forth light to the world. However there is now a tendency for people who are guilty of corruption, be it financial or moral, to defend their actions without any sign of remorse and compunction. Their focus in life is no more on righteous actions and on human morality.
There is a Chinese proverb which says that a single slip may cause lasting sorrow; the mistake committed due to fleshly desires becomes the regret of a lifetime. When a person is richer in ill-gotten wealth, he is poorer in integrity.
Your moral values are what you are. – Quote by Ho Nee Yong
24 April 2012
I have been asked to give my opinion for what it is worth on moral values by a group of college students. They raised this question because the supposedly sinful acts of Criminal Breach of Trust (CBT) in society have now become a norm among the so-called high society.
All societies, oriental and Western alike, attach much importance to both cultural and moral values. People in general have long been influenced by religions to manifest how pious and God fearing they are. They try their best to be morally upright to shine forth light to the world. However there is now a tendency for people who are guilty of corruption, be it financial or moral, to defend their actions without any sign of remorse and compunction. Their focus in life is no more on righteous actions and on human morality.
There is a Chinese proverb which says that a single slip may cause lasting sorrow; the mistake committed due to fleshly desires becomes the regret of a lifetime. When a person is richer in ill-gotten wealth, he is poorer in integrity.
Your moral values are what you are. – Quote by Ho Nee Yong
24 April 2012
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Old habits die hard
Post 140 Existing habits are hard to change
After my retirement I have more free time to go to my club for a swim. It is at the changing room that the English proverb of ‘Old habits die hard’ always comes to my mind. The habits of a few adults are so shockingly annoying that it is hard to believe until you witness them yourself. They will just leave the dressing room with their slippers and towels strewn around thereby causing inconveniences for other users. It is obvious that they have not been properly nurtured to be tidy and considerate. The prestige that goes with the club membership has not added to them the more refined art of behaving in public. As one cannot teach old dog new tricks, the bad habits may most likely be tagging along with them wherever they go.
A person’s manners reflect the background of his family. As bad habits are contagious, children learn them with ease but will find it difficult to get rid of them. Hence good parenting begets children with good character. This explains why in ancient China parents had to find out in great details the family background of a prospective daughter-in-law. They had to make sure that she was from a family of good character. The honour of a family must be preserved as far as possible.
Good habits must be nurtured early before less desirable ones overtake them.-Quote by Ho Nee Yong
17 April 2012
After my retirement I have more free time to go to my club for a swim. It is at the changing room that the English proverb of ‘Old habits die hard’ always comes to my mind. The habits of a few adults are so shockingly annoying that it is hard to believe until you witness them yourself. They will just leave the dressing room with their slippers and towels strewn around thereby causing inconveniences for other users. It is obvious that they have not been properly nurtured to be tidy and considerate. The prestige that goes with the club membership has not added to them the more refined art of behaving in public. As one cannot teach old dog new tricks, the bad habits may most likely be tagging along with them wherever they go.
A person’s manners reflect the background of his family. As bad habits are contagious, children learn them with ease but will find it difficult to get rid of them. Hence good parenting begets children with good character. This explains why in ancient China parents had to find out in great details the family background of a prospective daughter-in-law. They had to make sure that she was from a family of good character. The honour of a family must be preserved as far as possible.
Good habits must be nurtured early before less desirable ones overtake them.-Quote by Ho Nee Yong
17 April 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
"What day is today?"
Post 139 Language learning
When I was in the Chinese primary school in a small town in the 1950s, the first thing my Year 3 English teacher would do when he entered the class was to ritually ask us: “What day is today?” The class would then respond by saying “Today is Monday” or “Today is Friday.” To us his name was “What day is today?”
The environment for learning English in my hometown at that time was at best, very unsatisfactory. It is a totally different scenario now. The state-of-the-art digital technology has made language learning joyful for children through DVDs and other Audio-visual aids inventions. As a learner and speaker of the English language, I wish to convey my thoughts of the importance of English in Malaysia.
English played a vital role in nation-building. Malaysia is what it is today because of our forefathers' ability to use English to negotiate independence from the British, communicate with the international community, acquire knowledge and ideas to move ahead of other neighbouring countries, and attract foreign investments and tourists. However it is a pity that the same cannot be said of the present generation and students as the majority are struggling with English, both spoken and written. They simply lack the competence, confidence, fluency and skills in English. How are they going to lead, run and manage the affairs of the country in the globalised world? English is not to be deliberately denied and ignored. The sooner we know and acknowledge this fact, the better it is for us.
To be monolingual is like a one-eye Jack whose vision is narrow and limited.-Quote by Ho Nee Yong
10 April 2012
When I was in the Chinese primary school in a small town in the 1950s, the first thing my Year 3 English teacher would do when he entered the class was to ritually ask us: “What day is today?” The class would then respond by saying “Today is Monday” or “Today is Friday.” To us his name was “What day is today?”
The environment for learning English in my hometown at that time was at best, very unsatisfactory. It is a totally different scenario now. The state-of-the-art digital technology has made language learning joyful for children through DVDs and other Audio-visual aids inventions. As a learner and speaker of the English language, I wish to convey my thoughts of the importance of English in Malaysia.
English played a vital role in nation-building. Malaysia is what it is today because of our forefathers' ability to use English to negotiate independence from the British, communicate with the international community, acquire knowledge and ideas to move ahead of other neighbouring countries, and attract foreign investments and tourists. However it is a pity that the same cannot be said of the present generation and students as the majority are struggling with English, both spoken and written. They simply lack the competence, confidence, fluency and skills in English. How are they going to lead, run and manage the affairs of the country in the globalised world? English is not to be deliberately denied and ignored. The sooner we know and acknowledge this fact, the better it is for us.
To be monolingual is like a one-eye Jack whose vision is narrow and limited.-Quote by Ho Nee Yong
10 April 2012
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Inflation
Post 138 Costs of living
When I was in the primary school Year one in the 1950s, I could buy a bowl of noodle at the school canteen for 5 cents. When I was in Year 4 it went up to 10 cents as compared to 20 cents a bowl sold in the market. A loaf of Cold Storage bread cost 24 cents. I remember queuing up for one hour at the only cinema in town to buy a 3rd Class ticket for Cheap Matinee shows on Sundays at 20 cents. The normal tickets were sold at 40 cents each. A single storey link house in town in the 1960s could be bought at RM10, 000. My late father bought his brand new Morris Minor for RM4, 000 in the 1950s. The cost of living has gone up tremendously since then. In terms of purchasing power, one practically cannot buy anything for 5 cents now.
The rise in the cost of living means less consumer goods and services can be had with the same amount of money. Therefore if the salary or earning of a person remains the same, he becomes poorer. To him inflation has set in. However in countries with good governance and leaders of integrity, the people will not feel the pressure of high cost of living because the increase in their earnings is more than the increase in inflation rate. In fact with more money in hand, they are able to travel round the world and spend freely.
Inflation is when your children’s starting pay is near your maximum on retirement. –Quote from Ho Nee Yong
3 April 2012
When I was in the primary school Year one in the 1950s, I could buy a bowl of noodle at the school canteen for 5 cents. When I was in Year 4 it went up to 10 cents as compared to 20 cents a bowl sold in the market. A loaf of Cold Storage bread cost 24 cents. I remember queuing up for one hour at the only cinema in town to buy a 3rd Class ticket for Cheap Matinee shows on Sundays at 20 cents. The normal tickets were sold at 40 cents each. A single storey link house in town in the 1960s could be bought at RM10, 000. My late father bought his brand new Morris Minor for RM4, 000 in the 1950s. The cost of living has gone up tremendously since then. In terms of purchasing power, one practically cannot buy anything for 5 cents now.
The rise in the cost of living means less consumer goods and services can be had with the same amount of money. Therefore if the salary or earning of a person remains the same, he becomes poorer. To him inflation has set in. However in countries with good governance and leaders of integrity, the people will not feel the pressure of high cost of living because the increase in their earnings is more than the increase in inflation rate. In fact with more money in hand, they are able to travel round the world and spend freely.
Inflation is when your children’s starting pay is near your maximum on retirement. –Quote from Ho Nee Yong
3 April 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Time- keeping
Post 137 The big drum at the police station
I grew up in Kulim, a small town in the northern state of Kedah. In the 1950s I used to hear the beating sounds from a big drum at night. The sounds came from the police station five shop lots away from our family shop house. I later found out that the sounds were meant to be heard by policemen who were on night duty patrolling the town. When it was 1.00am, there would be one bang on the drum; two bangs would mean 2.00am and three would mean 3.00am. The beating of the drum would stop at 6.00am. To light sleepers staying nearby the police station, it must have been disturbing for them to hear the sound of drum every hour. However whenever I go back to visit my hometown, I would pass by the police station to see if the big drum was still hanging there.
The ancient timing system was based on the law of nature: early to bed and early to rise. In ancient China there was a common career called ‘Dageng’ (打更), with people going round striking at their gongs to inform villagers at regular intervals what time it was at night. There was a lack of accurate time keeping means at that time. More people were engaged to ‘Dageng’ in rural areas where there was no cultural and recreational life at night. However with the popularity of watches and 24-hour TV programmes easily available, time keeping through the beating of gongs and drums has now become legendary.
Clock watchers, who do time-keeping all the time in office, are doing no job. – quote by Ho Nee Yong
27 March 2012
I grew up in Kulim, a small town in the northern state of Kedah. In the 1950s I used to hear the beating sounds from a big drum at night. The sounds came from the police station five shop lots away from our family shop house. I later found out that the sounds were meant to be heard by policemen who were on night duty patrolling the town. When it was 1.00am, there would be one bang on the drum; two bangs would mean 2.00am and three would mean 3.00am. The beating of the drum would stop at 6.00am. To light sleepers staying nearby the police station, it must have been disturbing for them to hear the sound of drum every hour. However whenever I go back to visit my hometown, I would pass by the police station to see if the big drum was still hanging there.
The ancient timing system was based on the law of nature: early to bed and early to rise. In ancient China there was a common career called ‘Dageng’ (打更), with people going round striking at their gongs to inform villagers at regular intervals what time it was at night. There was a lack of accurate time keeping means at that time. More people were engaged to ‘Dageng’ in rural areas where there was no cultural and recreational life at night. However with the popularity of watches and 24-hour TV programmes easily available, time keeping through the beating of gongs and drums has now become legendary.
Clock watchers, who do time-keeping all the time in office, are doing no job. – quote by Ho Nee Yong
27 March 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
History repeats itself
Post 136 The love of money is the root of all evils
A friend of mine migrated to a foreign land with his family a few years ago. We met when he came back for a short trip. It was a gathering of old friends. We exchanged notes and updated one another with our latest developments. We talked on every topic with politics being the core subject. We came to the same conclusion as our high school Chinese literature teacher had told us 50 years ago: If the leaders of a nation are corrupt and without integrity, that nation must fall sooner or later. Otherwise history is wrong.
Our teacher told us that in the 5,000 years of history in China, kingdoms fell due to poor governance and incompetence of officials. Our much respected teacher warned us that under no circumstances should we bring shame to ourselves and to our family members. We also concluded at our meeting place at Kopitiam (meaning coffee café in Hokkien dialect) that our teacher was prophetic. History repeats itself. We see greedy leaders falling into their own traps and bringing shame to themselves. Our friend who is now a foreigner in his former home country added that not many people will learn from history, especially when one is blinded by greed.
Indeed in a multitude of crooked deeds, self-respect and a sense of shame are grossly lacking. To make our society devoid of malpractices, family education is of vital importance. Parents who fail to nurture their children to be people of character are doing injustice to the society they live in.
White-collar thieves and robbers are the manifestations of a failed family education.- Quote by Ho Nee Yong
20 March 2011
A friend of mine migrated to a foreign land with his family a few years ago. We met when he came back for a short trip. It was a gathering of old friends. We exchanged notes and updated one another with our latest developments. We talked on every topic with politics being the core subject. We came to the same conclusion as our high school Chinese literature teacher had told us 50 years ago: If the leaders of a nation are corrupt and without integrity, that nation must fall sooner or later. Otherwise history is wrong.
Our teacher told us that in the 5,000 years of history in China, kingdoms fell due to poor governance and incompetence of officials. Our much respected teacher warned us that under no circumstances should we bring shame to ourselves and to our family members. We also concluded at our meeting place at Kopitiam (meaning coffee café in Hokkien dialect) that our teacher was prophetic. History repeats itself. We see greedy leaders falling into their own traps and bringing shame to themselves. Our friend who is now a foreigner in his former home country added that not many people will learn from history, especially when one is blinded by greed.
Indeed in a multitude of crooked deeds, self-respect and a sense of shame are grossly lacking. To make our society devoid of malpractices, family education is of vital importance. Parents who fail to nurture their children to be people of character are doing injustice to the society they live in.
White-collar thieves and robbers are the manifestations of a failed family education.- Quote by Ho Nee Yong
20 March 2011
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
75% : 25%
Post 135 The four pillars in education
I was in the process of writing a chapter on character building when I suddenly thought of an old friend who is very knowledgeable on this topic. We met at a Kopitiam (a restaurant serving local coffee and food) in town and talked on this topic for two hours while enjoying our meals.
My old friend said that it was a one-way traffic in the West where grown up children are not expected as a matter of fact to look after their aged parents. He lamented that this has become the way of life in increasing measure in the oriental society. The hope of having many children to safeguard the welfares of old parents is now an expectation best not to be desired. In a materialistic world men have become egoistic and less caring. Aging parents who are well taken care of by their children are really blessed.
My old friend then asked me whether I knew of the ‘75%: 25%’ rule in education. He said he came up with this ratio. I told him I did not but that I know of the Pareto principle’s 80–20 rule. It states that, for many events, about 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. He then told me that the UNESCO Task Force on Education for the Twenty-first Century recommended that education throughout life be based upon four pillars: learning to know, learning to do, learning to live together and learning to be.
He finds that out of the four pillars, only one pillar (25%), learning to know, refers to the acquisition of knowledge. The other three pillars (75%) are on character building. The recommendations by the Task Force therefore stress that character building supersedes the accumulation of knowledge.
I chose the 75% and paid the bill.
I was in the process of writing a chapter on character building when I suddenly thought of an old friend who is very knowledgeable on this topic. We met at a Kopitiam (a restaurant serving local coffee and food) in town and talked on this topic for two hours while enjoying our meals.
My old friend said that it was a one-way traffic in the West where grown up children are not expected as a matter of fact to look after their aged parents. He lamented that this has become the way of life in increasing measure in the oriental society. The hope of having many children to safeguard the welfares of old parents is now an expectation best not to be desired. In a materialistic world men have become egoistic and less caring. Aging parents who are well taken care of by their children are really blessed.
My old friend then asked me whether I knew of the ‘75%: 25%’ rule in education. He said he came up with this ratio. I told him I did not but that I know of the Pareto principle’s 80–20 rule. It states that, for many events, about 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. He then told me that the UNESCO Task Force on Education for the Twenty-first Century recommended that education throughout life be based upon four pillars: learning to know, learning to do, learning to live together and learning to be.
He finds that out of the four pillars, only one pillar (25%), learning to know, refers to the acquisition of knowledge. The other three pillars (75%) are on character building. The recommendations by the Task Force therefore stress that character building supersedes the accumulation of knowledge.
I chose the 75% and paid the bill.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
70-year-old equestrian’s Olympic ‘miracle’
Post 134 Character of the highest quality
When I was about to write my blog for today, the headline “70-year-old equestrian’s Olympic ‘miracle’” at Yahoo! Sports caught my eyes. Immediately I decided to make it the topic for my short write-up.
Japanese equestrian Hiroshi Hoketsu has just qualified for the 2012 Summer Olympics to eventually become the oldest competitor in London. The oldest Olympian in history was Oscar Swahn, who competed in the 1920 Antwerp Games at the age of 72. When sportsmen and athletes of age 70 + would normally have long retired from stiff competitions or even from life, Hoketsu has displayed himself as a person of sterling character. He said it was a miracle, but I say it is his lifelong dedication to a sport he loves. It is not a matter of winning but of participating.
Hoketsu serves as an icon of what the spirit of sportsmanship is! He enjoys his sport and is a good loser, for he has always been one of the last to be counted in Olympic competition results. Against the much younger competitors, Hoketsu has showcased to them the meaning of self-confidence and perseverance.
Character, not wealth or intellect, makes a person great. – quote by Ho Nee Yong
6 March 2012
When I was about to write my blog for today, the headline “70-year-old equestrian’s Olympic ‘miracle’” at Yahoo! Sports caught my eyes. Immediately I decided to make it the topic for my short write-up.
Japanese equestrian Hiroshi Hoketsu has just qualified for the 2012 Summer Olympics to eventually become the oldest competitor in London. The oldest Olympian in history was Oscar Swahn, who competed in the 1920 Antwerp Games at the age of 72. When sportsmen and athletes of age 70 + would normally have long retired from stiff competitions or even from life, Hoketsu has displayed himself as a person of sterling character. He said it was a miracle, but I say it is his lifelong dedication to a sport he loves. It is not a matter of winning but of participating.
Hoketsu serves as an icon of what the spirit of sportsmanship is! He enjoys his sport and is a good loser, for he has always been one of the last to be counted in Olympic competition results. Against the much younger competitors, Hoketsu has showcased to them the meaning of self-confidence and perseverance.
Character, not wealth or intellect, makes a person great. – quote by Ho Nee Yong
6 March 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Nurturing the character of children at home
Post 133 Good manners
The character building of children should start from home. I should suggest that parents start from basic manners and social etiquettes. Children ought to be taught not to talk while eating, to sit properly at the dining table in order not to obstruct the persons sitting next to him, not to make noise while chewing food, and not to drip the soup onto the table while spooning the soup. Children must finish their food and not to waste them. Children must also taught to greet others, to be polite and not to shout to be heard, interrupt others while they are talking or address elders and seniors by their names, for all these behaviours are considered to be rude.
Parents ought also to set a good example for children to emulate at home. For example he will push the chair in under the table after meals and keep books and stationery in their original places so as not to waste time looking for them later on. In this way parents are seen to have been instrumental in nurturing the innate goodness and talents of their children who would grow up to be urbane and debonair in nature. Through good nurturing from young at home, children will then conduct themselves in a responsible way. In a wider perspective children will possess personal morals and social morality, making themselves accountable to the group, the nation and the people. Family education effectively delivered will see the making of pleasant personalities in children.
Good manners are good culture manifested.- Quote by Ho Nee Yong
28 February 2012
The character building of children should start from home. I should suggest that parents start from basic manners and social etiquettes. Children ought to be taught not to talk while eating, to sit properly at the dining table in order not to obstruct the persons sitting next to him, not to make noise while chewing food, and not to drip the soup onto the table while spooning the soup. Children must finish their food and not to waste them. Children must also taught to greet others, to be polite and not to shout to be heard, interrupt others while they are talking or address elders and seniors by their names, for all these behaviours are considered to be rude.
Parents ought also to set a good example for children to emulate at home. For example he will push the chair in under the table after meals and keep books and stationery in their original places so as not to waste time looking for them later on. In this way parents are seen to have been instrumental in nurturing the innate goodness and talents of their children who would grow up to be urbane and debonair in nature. Through good nurturing from young at home, children will then conduct themselves in a responsible way. In a wider perspective children will possess personal morals and social morality, making themselves accountable to the group, the nation and the people. Family education effectively delivered will see the making of pleasant personalities in children.
Good manners are good culture manifested.- Quote by Ho Nee Yong
28 February 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Migration
Post 132 The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence
Having witnessed many of my classmates, college mates and friends migrating overseas, I come to understand the meaning of the idiom ‘The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence’ better. A pasture full of grass is meaningless when its abundance is out of bound and so one is forced to change one’s mind set. One then has to break through the ‘fence’ in one’s thought before deciding to move on to the new and greener pasture. This action of going to a better place or job is one’s choice.
Before retiring in July 2008, Bill Gates gave his ten advices to high school students. Bill Gates told the young people his top golden rule: “Life is not fair - get used to it.” He says no one in the world can change this because injustice prevails in the society. The students were told to try to adapt it. For those who break the fence to cross to the other side of the pasture, they know the rule and adapt it by shifting their goal posts. When people choose to live the life they want, any value judgment on them is not justified. I wish all those whom I know in the new pastures the best of everything.
A person has choices while facing the challenges in life. He can choose to be a parasite throughout his life and live on hand-outs thereby losing whatever dignity he has; one can walk tall and believe in his ability to be independent; or one can move around globally in realising one’s dream.
No one can see the future but our attitudes in life can tell. - quote by Ho Nee Yong
21 February 2012
Having witnessed many of my classmates, college mates and friends migrating overseas, I come to understand the meaning of the idiom ‘The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence’ better. A pasture full of grass is meaningless when its abundance is out of bound and so one is forced to change one’s mind set. One then has to break through the ‘fence’ in one’s thought before deciding to move on to the new and greener pasture. This action of going to a better place or job is one’s choice.
Before retiring in July 2008, Bill Gates gave his ten advices to high school students. Bill Gates told the young people his top golden rule: “Life is not fair - get used to it.” He says no one in the world can change this because injustice prevails in the society. The students were told to try to adapt it. For those who break the fence to cross to the other side of the pasture, they know the rule and adapt it by shifting their goal posts. When people choose to live the life they want, any value judgment on them is not justified. I wish all those whom I know in the new pastures the best of everything.
A person has choices while facing the challenges in life. He can choose to be a parasite throughout his life and live on hand-outs thereby losing whatever dignity he has; one can walk tall and believe in his ability to be independent; or one can move around globally in realising one’s dream.
No one can see the future but our attitudes in life can tell. - quote by Ho Nee Yong
21 February 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Gathering of old classmates
Post 131 Keep the old friends
I am a regular among a group of old classmates who meet for lunch or dinner for old times’ sake. As we have already long retired from the rat race, we are not interested in comparing notes on our success or failure in life. We would talk of the good old days in school, the unforgettable mischievous acts of a few live wires in class, and current affairs. At times we would also show concern on classmates we know and who are in ill-health.
When a person is in a happy, cheerful mood, people like being with him whereas a person who is anti-social lacks friends. It is a pity that two or three of our classmates whom we know are withdrawn and do not like to join in social functions. They just want to be an island and be left alone. It is a fact that as we grow old, we need old friends to be with us. They allow us to joke and be playful, and to encourage one another.
It is said that the best mirror in the world is an old friend. An old friend knows us well enough to offer us good advice without inhibitions. An old friend is to be treasured because he has passed the test of being your bosom friend who would never let you down.
It takes a long time to make a new friend an old one. –quote by Ho Nee Yong
14 February 2012
I am a regular among a group of old classmates who meet for lunch or dinner for old times’ sake. As we have already long retired from the rat race, we are not interested in comparing notes on our success or failure in life. We would talk of the good old days in school, the unforgettable mischievous acts of a few live wires in class, and current affairs. At times we would also show concern on classmates we know and who are in ill-health.
When a person is in a happy, cheerful mood, people like being with him whereas a person who is anti-social lacks friends. It is a pity that two or three of our classmates whom we know are withdrawn and do not like to join in social functions. They just want to be an island and be left alone. It is a fact that as we grow old, we need old friends to be with us. They allow us to joke and be playful, and to encourage one another.
It is said that the best mirror in the world is an old friend. An old friend knows us well enough to offer us good advice without inhibitions. An old friend is to be treasured because he has passed the test of being your bosom friend who would never let you down.
It takes a long time to make a new friend an old one. –quote by Ho Nee Yong
14 February 2012
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Digital inventions
Post 130 Venture into the world of knowledge
An opportunity is the combination of timeliness, favourable environment, and support of people. Children of today are advantaged to be born at the right time to reap the benefits of digital inventions. The environment for learning is excellent because of the availability of resource centres, laptops and computers. Besides, they have all the learned people around to be their mentors in teaching them the finesse in life. What they need to do is just to ask, and ask humbly. At the time when I was young, listening to our favourite programmes over radio was something we looked forward to.
There is a Chinese saying ‘han niu chong dong’ (汗牛充栋) which literary means there are enough books to make the ox carrying them sweat. It can be likened to the English version of having an immense number of books to fill a house to the rafters. With the advent of internet, the number of reading materials made available to pupils can figuratively fill the air. Thus, pupils are at the threshold of a vast accumulation of both ancient and present literature for them to explore.
A workman must first sharpen his tools if he is to do his work well. Similarly if a pupil wants to do well in his study or career, he has to also first sharpen his tools. The tools that need to be sharpened are firstly his mastery of languages, and secondly his power of critical thinking. The modern digital inventions open up avenues for them to sharpen both the tools.
Intellectual tools are sharpened not by stones but the accumulation of knowledge.
- Quote by Ho Nee Yong
7 February 2012
An opportunity is the combination of timeliness, favourable environment, and support of people. Children of today are advantaged to be born at the right time to reap the benefits of digital inventions. The environment for learning is excellent because of the availability of resource centres, laptops and computers. Besides, they have all the learned people around to be their mentors in teaching them the finesse in life. What they need to do is just to ask, and ask humbly. At the time when I was young, listening to our favourite programmes over radio was something we looked forward to.
There is a Chinese saying ‘han niu chong dong’ (汗牛充栋) which literary means there are enough books to make the ox carrying them sweat. It can be likened to the English version of having an immense number of books to fill a house to the rafters. With the advent of internet, the number of reading materials made available to pupils can figuratively fill the air. Thus, pupils are at the threshold of a vast accumulation of both ancient and present literature for them to explore.
A workman must first sharpen his tools if he is to do his work well. Similarly if a pupil wants to do well in his study or career, he has to also first sharpen his tools. The tools that need to be sharpened are firstly his mastery of languages, and secondly his power of critical thinking. The modern digital inventions open up avenues for them to sharpen both the tools.
Intellectual tools are sharpened not by stones but the accumulation of knowledge.
- Quote by Ho Nee Yong
7 February 2012
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Flotsam and Jetsam
Post 129 Auntie Ivy's favourite quote
Auntie Ivy was a distant lady relative whose elegance, extensive experience and exemplary language skills are much to be admired. She was a seasoned traveller having stayed in the UK, Greece and Cyprus from the 1950s to 1980s. When I met her in Malaysia in the late 1990s, she was already 85 years old.
In one of our conversations, she mentioned the phrase’ flotsam and jetsam’ which means a collection of broken unwanted things lying about in an untidy way. It can also mean people who are without homes or work, and who move helplessly through life. It is also used figuratively in non-nautical contexts to means odds and ends, bits and pieces. She said that it was good riddance that miscellaneous things or someone unpleasant was out of our life.
My family members loved to talk to her because there was so much to learn from her.Besides she was also very witty and affable. She was old yet very wise in many ways. Shakespeare wrote in King Lear that “As you are old and reverend, you should be wise." She qualified for both. Indeed it is great to grow old gracefully.
Our burden will be lightened when trivial things are jettisoned. – Quote by Ho Nee Yong
31 January 2012
Auntie Ivy was a distant lady relative whose elegance, extensive experience and exemplary language skills are much to be admired. She was a seasoned traveller having stayed in the UK, Greece and Cyprus from the 1950s to 1980s. When I met her in Malaysia in the late 1990s, she was already 85 years old.
In one of our conversations, she mentioned the phrase’ flotsam and jetsam’ which means a collection of broken unwanted things lying about in an untidy way. It can also mean people who are without homes or work, and who move helplessly through life. It is also used figuratively in non-nautical contexts to means odds and ends, bits and pieces. She said that it was good riddance that miscellaneous things or someone unpleasant was out of our life.
My family members loved to talk to her because there was so much to learn from her.Besides she was also very witty and affable. She was old yet very wise in many ways. Shakespeare wrote in King Lear that “As you are old and reverend, you should be wise." She qualified for both. Indeed it is great to grow old gracefully.
Our burden will be lightened when trivial things are jettisoned. – Quote by Ho Nee Yong
31 January 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Neither a borrower nor a lender be
Post 128 Financial management
I was having a chat with my friend on financial management when he told me a quote from Shakespeare on borrowing and lending, He said he would rather give whatever he could afford to his friends than to lend. He would also not borrow but to learn to cut down his wants.
The quote was part of Lord Polonius' speech to Laertes from Shakespeare's Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 3
“Neither a borrower nor a lender be;
For loan oft loses both itself and friend,
And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.”
When one lends money to a friend, one will lose both the money and the friend when the latter disappears for not wanting to pay back; and if one borrows one will not learn how to be thrifty.
Many credit card defaulters have been blacklisted by banks for not paying their credit card dues. This has become common especially among the young working class. They are bad borrowers and are miles away from being a lender. It is best that they learn how to budget their finance and spend sensibly to “neither a borrower nor a lender be”.
He who borrows has much sorrow.- Ho Nee Yong
24 January 2012
I was having a chat with my friend on financial management when he told me a quote from Shakespeare on borrowing and lending, He said he would rather give whatever he could afford to his friends than to lend. He would also not borrow but to learn to cut down his wants.
The quote was part of Lord Polonius' speech to Laertes from Shakespeare's Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 3
“Neither a borrower nor a lender be;
For loan oft loses both itself and friend,
And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.”
When one lends money to a friend, one will lose both the money and the friend when the latter disappears for not wanting to pay back; and if one borrows one will not learn how to be thrifty.
Many credit card defaulters have been blacklisted by banks for not paying their credit card dues. This has become common especially among the young working class. They are bad borrowers and are miles away from being a lender. It is best that they learn how to budget their finance and spend sensibly to “neither a borrower nor a lender be”.
He who borrows has much sorrow.- Ho Nee Yong
24 January 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Money
Post 127 Money is not the chaser but the chased
Samuel Langhorne Clemens, or better known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American author and humourist. Mark Twain became my favourite writer when his novel “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” was used as reader for our English literature class in Form One in 1959. I like Tom Sawyer for his imagination and mischievous character. This quote on money was a gem and hilarious when he said, “I am opposed to millionaires, but it would be dangerous to offer me the position.”
It is interesting to note that the word ‘money’ can be associated with words like ‘chase’ and ’run’. “Good money chasing bad money”, “Run out of money”, and “Banks on the run” are a few examples. Money is the main motivator behind one's economic actions. No one will work for free. The reverse is true. One would demand more for the work done. The strikes by government servants, executives and workers in the private sector for more pay show that they want to be reasonably remunerated in exchange for their efforts and contributions put in.
No one is opposed to millionaires or billionaires, with Mark Twain taking no exception. Millionaires or billionaires deserve to be what they are if they earn them legally and honestly. Those who chase after ill-gotten gains will have shame running after them. Their gains will be pyrrhic.
Money is not the chaser but the chased. – Ho Nee Yong
17 January 2012
Samuel Langhorne Clemens, or better known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American author and humourist. Mark Twain became my favourite writer when his novel “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” was used as reader for our English literature class in Form One in 1959. I like Tom Sawyer for his imagination and mischievous character. This quote on money was a gem and hilarious when he said, “I am opposed to millionaires, but it would be dangerous to offer me the position.”
It is interesting to note that the word ‘money’ can be associated with words like ‘chase’ and ’run’. “Good money chasing bad money”, “Run out of money”, and “Banks on the run” are a few examples. Money is the main motivator behind one's economic actions. No one will work for free. The reverse is true. One would demand more for the work done. The strikes by government servants, executives and workers in the private sector for more pay show that they want to be reasonably remunerated in exchange for their efforts and contributions put in.
No one is opposed to millionaires or billionaires, with Mark Twain taking no exception. Millionaires or billionaires deserve to be what they are if they earn them legally and honestly. Those who chase after ill-gotten gains will have shame running after them. Their gains will be pyrrhic.
Money is not the chaser but the chased. – Ho Nee Yong
17 January 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
My primary school headmaster
Post 126 Behaviour Corrector
My primary school life reminds me of the words my old headmaster had repeatedly told us in each school assembly. Having gone through life for another 55 years since my primary education, I realise that my headmaster,deemed to be old by me then, was not really old; he could be only in his 40s at that time. He might have been remembered for his stereotyped speeches, but I found him a very gentle and kind behaviour corrector in encouraging us to follow rules and regulations, study hard, pay attention in class, not to tell lies, and be a good citizen when we grew up.
Life as educators in the 1950s was impoverished and without exception the life of my headmaster was a simple one. His material possession was literally only the few personal effects that he had had, with bicycle as his prized item. The Chinese saying of ‘eating grass to squeeze the milk’ was very befitting to my headmaster and his contemporary. Indeed having said that, it is without doubt that I am also very thankful to the well-intentioned teachers who taught with dedication. They were excellent behaviour correctors, just like my headmaster.
As the world becomes industrialised and with the emergence of capitalism, a person’s worth eventually is judged by his wealth and not by his character. Nowadays the standard of education suffers because people tend to prefer materialism to idealism. The word ‘character’ has now slowly lost its ethical significance.
Nothing remains when character wanes. – Ho Nee Yong
10 January 2012
My primary school life reminds me of the words my old headmaster had repeatedly told us in each school assembly. Having gone through life for another 55 years since my primary education, I realise that my headmaster,deemed to be old by me then, was not really old; he could be only in his 40s at that time. He might have been remembered for his stereotyped speeches, but I found him a very gentle and kind behaviour corrector in encouraging us to follow rules and regulations, study hard, pay attention in class, not to tell lies, and be a good citizen when we grew up.
Life as educators in the 1950s was impoverished and without exception the life of my headmaster was a simple one. His material possession was literally only the few personal effects that he had had, with bicycle as his prized item. The Chinese saying of ‘eating grass to squeeze the milk’ was very befitting to my headmaster and his contemporary. Indeed having said that, it is without doubt that I am also very thankful to the well-intentioned teachers who taught with dedication. They were excellent behaviour correctors, just like my headmaster.
As the world becomes industrialised and with the emergence of capitalism, a person’s worth eventually is judged by his wealth and not by his character. Nowadays the standard of education suffers because people tend to prefer materialism to idealism. The word ‘character’ has now slowly lost its ethical significance.
Nothing remains when character wanes. – Ho Nee Yong
10 January 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Aging
Post 125 The older the fiddler, the sweeter the tune
A witty, knowledgeable and still lively 80-year-old woman was requested to give a short speech at a get-together function which I was glad I attended. She told the crowd roaring with laughter that she did not agree with the previous man speaker who told the audience on how to live long by avoiding all the” Don’ts” like smoking, drinking, and staying up late. She jokingly said that she did just the opposite to enjoy life. She added that she still went dancing! Though her tune sounded sweet and hilarious, the audience just took what she said with a pinch of salt.
While ‘age’ is just a word, ‘aging’ may be is more than that. It is an alarm clock to many who fear growing old. The proverb of “The older the fiddler, the sweeter the tune” is for the optimists who are not too concerned about their outward appearance wasting away. Inwardly they are renewed every day. Life is what one thinks it is and so is aging. When one does not mind getting old, aging does not matter anymore. One ought to live happily every day and deem ‘aging’ gracefully as a better alternative to kicking the bucket.
Young people will do well by being pro-active in doing exercises, inculcate good habits in eating, and avoid stress and strain through having optimistic outlook on life. This will help them to have good health even in old age.
The greatest wealth, for both the young and the old, is health.
3 January 2012
A witty, knowledgeable and still lively 80-year-old woman was requested to give a short speech at a get-together function which I was glad I attended. She told the crowd roaring with laughter that she did not agree with the previous man speaker who told the audience on how to live long by avoiding all the” Don’ts” like smoking, drinking, and staying up late. She jokingly said that she did just the opposite to enjoy life. She added that she still went dancing! Though her tune sounded sweet and hilarious, the audience just took what she said with a pinch of salt.
While ‘age’ is just a word, ‘aging’ may be is more than that. It is an alarm clock to many who fear growing old. The proverb of “The older the fiddler, the sweeter the tune” is for the optimists who are not too concerned about their outward appearance wasting away. Inwardly they are renewed every day. Life is what one thinks it is and so is aging. When one does not mind getting old, aging does not matter anymore. One ought to live happily every day and deem ‘aging’ gracefully as a better alternative to kicking the bucket.
Young people will do well by being pro-active in doing exercises, inculcate good habits in eating, and avoid stress and strain through having optimistic outlook on life. This will help them to have good health even in old age.
The greatest wealth, for both the young and the old, is health.
3 January 2012
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