Busy days ahead!!!

It has been 1 week since my attachment to Greenridge Secondary School at Bt Panjang. My first impression of the school from what I gathered from my friend was not really good. However, I felt otherwise! The school has received awards for character development in providing a holistic education of the children. It is also the Centre of Excellence for Innovation and the Arts!

I had projects to work on, meetings to attend, classes to observe, students to interact with, mentors to learn from, and new friends to take comfort in!! haha...

I had to work on the Nurturing(N) Talents(T) program which helps the lower secondary NT students. I had to review the outcomes of the success of the program, interview students and present my findings to the P/VP and suggest improvements to the program. Also, I had to prepare a motivational talk for the NT students!

Meetings I attended include HOD meetings, and meetings where key personnel of the school share their own parts. For example, the DM shared his thoughts on discipline while the OM shared his thoughts on operations of the school.

I had the chance to observe express, NA and NT classes where different classes had differnt challenges to be dealt with. Although the NT pupils are a bit more rowdy, they appear to be the friendliest batch I have seen so far. They will not hesitate to call me whenever they see me, be it in school or outside school.

The project that I am working on involves teachers who teach maths. Hence I was observing maths classes instead of Chemistry classes. Which ever the case, it is the learning experience that counts!

Together this year, there are 3 others like me who are attached to the school. We meet each other for meals and share our thoughts on a daily basis.

I may be tired, but I got the satisfaction! Things will be over soon!

Singapore Badminton Open 2009

This is taken at the last day (finals) when all the matches were finished...

This is taken during day 4 (quarter finals) - doubles match

This is an overview of the courts on day 4 (quarter finals)

It was the first time I watched badminton live at Singapore Indoor Stadium. An event that made me fill the passion for badminton. Day 1 to Day 6 (9 june to 14 June) badminton players from all over the world congregated at the indoor stadium where they showcased their agility, skill, precision in the bid to claim the title of 'Aviva Singapore Badminton Open xxx Champion 2009'...

I was there on day 4 (quarter finals) and day 6 (finals). Of course they were disappointments. Some of the favourites Lee Chong Wei, Peter Gade didnt get through the preliminary

It was a nail-biting match befitting of a Super Series Men’s Singles final. The enthusiastic crowd in the Singapore Indoor Stadium was behind both players as screams of Thai player Boonsak Ponsana’s name were echoed by shouts of Chinese player Bao Chunlai’s.

The two players lunged for every drop shot and leapt in the air for every smash and kept the audience glued to their seats in the last match of the day. Ponsana, who won the title here in 2007, took a while to get into the game and even though it was close, Bao took the first set. In the second set, Ponsana appeared to have picked up an injury after a long rally but he managed to stay collected to play some clever shots and after picking up some points from a few errors off Bao’s racquet, Ponsana took the second set. In the third set, Ponsana took the early lead but Bao hung on and chased after every point to give himself six match points. The Thai managed to save one of the six but was unable to catch up as Bao wrapped up the match with a smash right into Ponsana’s body to claim his first Aviva Open Singapore title (21-19 16-21 21-15).

The Chinese champion of the Aviva Open Singapore 2009 said after the match, “I think I played well today but Boonsak was in very good form especially towards the end of the second set where he really managed to control the tempo of the game. I’m also very happy with my overall performance and especially in the third set where I had to play catch up as I was trailing by quite a few points.”

In the Women’s Singles final, it was between world number two Zhou Mi of Hong Kong and former world number one Xie Xingfang, who is now currently ranked ninth. The first two sets of the match were very close and the finalists each picked up a set. In the third set, Zhou, who now plays Hong Kong after previously playing for China, lived up to her number one seed position to claim the set, match and Aviva Open Singapore 2009 title. This was a particularly significant win for the player from Hong Kong as this is her first title win this year while she continues to stage her comeback. She also proved that even at 30 years old, she was able to take on the young up and coming players to reach the peak and bring home the coveted Super Series title (21-19 18-21 21-10).

Zhou said after her win, “I am very happy to win in Singapore and I’m very thankful for the support I get from the fans here.” She also added, “It’s been almost three years after my comeback and I really treasure what I have now. I’m not sure how long I can continue with my badminton career but I really hope the fans will continue to support me and I hope I will be remembered as a player who gave spectators joy and happiness.”

The biggest upset of the day came in the Men’s Doubles final between the world number one pair from Indonesia Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan and the unseeded English players Anthony Clark and Nathan Robertson. The audience support was behind the Olympic gold medalists from Indonesia but the unfavoured Englishmen were unfazed as they won the match in just two sets (21-12 21-11).

The Women’s Doubles title went to the fifth-seeded Chinese pair of Zhao Tingting and Zhang Yawen who beat the Indonesian players Nitya Krishinda Maheswari and Greysia Polii convincingly (21-14, 21-13).

Chinese player Zhang then returned to the court with mixed doubles partner Xie Zhongbo as sixth seeds against compatriots, fifth seeds Zheng Bo and Ma Jin. Zhang was unable to score two titles as she and Xie lost out to Zheng and Ma in a three set battle of the Chinese players (19-21 21-19 21-11).

The Aviva Open Singapore 2009 has attracted a crowd of close to 35,000 to catch some of the very best shuttlers in the world in action.

I will definately want to catch the action live again once more the next year!!!

everything gg to be over soon...

finally, the book fair is over last sunday! I reached home on Mondays 2am after fetching my colleague home who stay at woodlands...sales was quite good for the entire book fair, duration of 10 days, total over $50,000....I tink i have lost weight, even my student's mum said i lost weight....so time to eat during the fair, and sometimes during sch we skip lunch while doing the experiemetns....

book fair, together with tuition and sch work is driving me crazy....totally no time to rest and go out at all....sch is ending next wed with a practical test...yay!!!

here are some pics that i took during lab...

Separation of a mixture of organic compounds using column chromatography.

Synthesis or inorganic compound using reflux

finally...a break!!!

finally I took a day off from the book fair! sleep like more than 10 hours today....so refreshing now.....haha...book fair ends coming sun and I know sunday is going to be a super long and tiring day, closing the stall and bringing back all the stuff to the office....

then, aviva badminton singapore open is starting next tuesday...hope i wish i can attend everyday from the qualifying round to the finals...nevertheless, i am making plans to go on tues/fri/sun....this is the first time i am going to catch the action live at the singapore indoor stadium, with the fre tickets i got through lucky draw!!!!

wed/thurs going sch for chem practical sessions as usual, but will end in 2 weeks time....yay!!!

busy busy...

The past few days has been quite tiring and hectic for me…working on mon/tues busying preparing for the book fair, giving tuition after work…wed/thurs lab, lab report to be handed in after lab...

Today is the start of the world book fair at suntec city level 4, and I have to report for work after 11am. It will end on 7 June. So my next 2 weekends will be spent at Suntec!! Come visit me at booth #4E02, and I will give you discounts!!

I have not been running for quite some time already for 2 weeks; hope my stamina wun drop that much….

Today is also the day of exam result release! Wish me luck…

We made history!

In the lead up to the Aviva Open Singapore 2009, title sponsor Aviva organised a record attempt for World’s Largest Badminton Rally: Number of Participants. The objective was to involve the community in the Aviva Open Singapore – instead of being mere spectators at the tournament, members of the public could also participate in an event to showcase their own speed, agility and precision, and be a part of history.

Over 600 people of all ages turned up with their racquets at Raffles City on 23 May 2009 for the attempt. One by one, they each took a shot at keeping the shuttlecock in the air.

The rally was kick started at 10:30 am and the record was eventually set at 2:55pm with an amazing total of 96 different people each hitting a shot in one continuous rally.

My participation in the record making attempt would not have been possible if my boss didn't allow me a few hours off as I was involved in the children exhibition at suntec lelvel 3 from friday to sat! thanks again!

I also got a few goodie bad and a shirt..and I won 2 season tickets to watch the aviva badminton open at indoor stadium live for the first time!!!! =)

I'm back to work...

I'm back to work with my previous employer...company is dealing with children's magazines (young scientists and highlights) and games...other than doing book fairs in schools or suntec, i also do delivery to popular and schools. In office, I usually pack books or answer phone calls....sometimes if i work late or if there is something i need to attend to the next morning, I will get to drive the company van home!!!

I just resumed work on Monday, but I'm not working on wed/thurs as I got lab in sch till mid june....so mon and tues I went pioneer primary to set up a stall for children to subscribe the young scientists mag!! response was ok, with over 60 subscribers. I was there before 9, as the recess started from 9am, all the way to 10.30am and last one at 3pm...children was as usual, naughty and playful!!!!

Some of them made friends with me and became my temp cashier during their recess!!! some of them brought food and drinks for me and I awarded them with one old issue of the young scientists!! some of them will chat with me after school!!!! so it was quite fun actually...

one thing I dun like but I am usued to is them calling me 'uncle'...they see guy, they call uncle, they see girl, they call auntie....there is no 'ge ge' and 'jie jie' in their minds at all!!! never mind, they are still young while I'm old already!!!

I am part of the Aviva World’s Largest Badminton Rally at Raffles City this 23 May 2009!!!!

I just returned from playing badminton at jurong east sport complex...

actually I went down to qualify myself for the historic event next sat on 23rd may, where 1000 pple will play badminton at the same time to set a guinness world record!!!!

I was tested on the following 3 stations:

1) SPEED TEST

How it works

If you’ve got lightning fast reflexes, you’ll definitely be able to speed through your first test. Queue at Marker 1 and run zig-zag to Markers 2, 3, 4, and 5, touching each marker as you go. Complete the Speed Test within 8 seconds or less and you’re guaranteed to progress to the second test!

this station was a breeze for me, like shuttle run...

2) AGILITY TEST

How it works

Now is the time to show your great footwork and physical dexterity. Being nimble on your feet is helpful, as you’ll have to hold a rally of 10 shots with two instructors. Keep your eye on the shuttle, make no drops, and you’re through to the next test!

I was asked to stop after 5 rallies, save my energy!!!!

PRECISION TEST

How it works

Accuracy is the name of the game. Here, you’ll have 3 chances to return a serve from the Doubles Serve Line. To win a place in the rally and make history, you must land at least one shot in the Aviva Precision Zone.

I didnt do well, all my shots went out...luckily, the officals were kind enough to let me warm up and try several times....

After the selction, I got in!!!! I played with a few JC youngsters till 5 plus and went for KFC ebfore reaching home!!!