Alfie Wong

So this is it. The swan song, the last hurrah! 

The last batch of NYPS students (all good folks) in their last year with the school.

I've got to make it back one last time.

The last bloom of flowers before the maelstrom and the leaves scatter (read: different secondary schools).

Omigosh, what a year 2009 has been ...... 

Obama made history, Adam Lambert won American Idol (he did win, if you know what I mean) and Michael Jackson waved goodbye.

A quick update:

Still in banking. 2009 holidays include Malacca and Thailand (sure had fun). Been having durians like every other day.

My thoughts have been with the ex-students & soon I'd get to see all again. It's going to be SO awesome! The day is probably going to feel like a dream -- very surreal.

See you soon, folks!

Fu Yuan

And yea, in case you are wondering, my ex-student has had enough of seeing David Cook's name on the webbie.

So, I have planted his name this time.

He's a great kid, btw.

I am going to make this the best year yet for me.

And I hope you folks do likewise (I can only hope, as I really don't have control over your life).

And that's key, I believe, to having a terrific 2009; the knowledge and application that no one else has so much control over your own life as you do. And so you can largely shape your 2009.

How can we make 2009 wonderful for ourselves? I have some ideas to share.

1) A great start is to pack life with all things enjoyable to oneself

I, for one, am gonna squeeze in more reading, more soccer, more time with friends, more movies, more sleep, more tasty food, more songs, more jokes till bursting point.

Am gonna try to maxmise the time in 2009. Let less time be wasted feeling bored, etc. 

Whatever makes you happy, do it and keep at it. 

For me, it's the above. What really makes you happy?

2) A positive attitude helps.

Another one: positive attitude shapes real outcomes.

Am gonna count my blessings while pushing for more!

We all fall from time to time.   But if we can get up smiling a little .....   Then we make light of the falls.

Look, I'm no guru. These tips for 2009 are also for my own ears. Let's see how we turn out in 2009, k?

Finally, I would definitely visit NYPS again this year. I have got to.

Afterall, 2009 is the final year that you fine folks would be in NYPS. See you soon.

Hi folks!

My favourite David Cook won American Idol Season 7!!

It was such an enthralling fight against Little David (Archuleta) who is such a fantastic singer too.

Cook's Happy Together, Day Tripper, First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, I Still Haven't Found What I Was Looking For, etc ... all swashbuckling performances!

Hello was great. And of course, Billie Jean was something of a different league altogether.

For me, Always Be My Baby is my favourite!! It is a sad song full of longing -- but packaged to be very upbeat ... almost carefree ...

Gosh, it has been ages since I posted (Fu Yan is right; this site has kinda been abandoned)!

Time to resurrect it then!

I am so glad that to hear from you folks ... "Happy Together" in Primary 5??

Hey, you would "Always Be My Baby"!

Definitely, I would be checking out those web sites and get all linked up.

June Hols is here and so is Euro 2008! Holland brushed Italy aside last night, winning 3-0!

More laterzz ...... 

National Day, at last.

To me, always a special day.

You see, Singapore is the only country that celebrates National Day on 9th August (Ecuador celebrates hers on 10th August). 

To the rest of the world, it is another day as usual.

But Independence Day means everything to us Singaporeans.

We the living, ought to be partying & celebrating anyway.

On 9th August, the entire nation stops work and does exactly that.

Even the Singapore government, well-known for its no-nonsense & efficiency, puts work aside and does exactly that.

Especially the Singapore government, who gathers beamingly at the heart of the wonderful annual Parade, does exactly that.

Oh well-deserved, glorious partying!

Hi everybody!

Goodness, it has been over 7 months since I last updated this homepage

Since that last entry, I have been learning Korean and did pop over to The Republic of Korea in May. I went to Dae Jang Geum a.k.a. Jewel In The Palace a.k.a Da Chang Jin Theme Park! 

The many beautiful photographs have been printed out, of course, but the digitalised softcopy has perished. Sadly, I am unable to post them up for viewing. 

I am back working in a bank, location: Raffles Place. It's a 5-day work week like when I was teaching. Of course, the nature of the job is pretty different compared to working in a school.

I miss all the little ones in Nanyang! Whilst I am happy in Raffles Place, I often think of the good old school days and the good people there.

I often wonder how everybody is. It is coming to a year since I left the school and I have missed out on being a part of The Nanyang family. I still have the trolley in my place -- it is kept in a cupboard.

I hope to see everybody again.

Hope everyone is happy, in good health and doing well. 

Love,

Alfie 

Have you seen the monster hit Korean drama Da Chang Jing (Jewel In The Palace)?

What a beautiful show! I LOVE it!!

I have been told that it was first aired 3 years ago in Korea & HK. Our local TV station had also shown the complete series before and now is showing the reruns again (Sat & Sun @ 7.30 pm, Channel U).

Two months ago, I first saw Jewel on tv. Of course, I was not able to wait for the weekends for the installments so I bought the DVD collection. It is the best $49.95 I have ever spent !!!!!!

For those who have no idea what Da Chang Jin is about:

Chang Jin was a young palace girl who wanted to be the Top Madam in the Imperial Kitchen so as to avenge the tragic death of her mom. The palace was full of wicked people wanting to make life difficult for her. Our dear Chang Jin displayed great intelligence and innocence and, together with some good friends, manage to hold out.

There is more to the story, of course. There are 70 episodes in this mini-series.

Da Chang Jin is an inspiring story and is highly entertaining with many integrated plots. There is a healthy dose of romance too!!

If you have not seen it, what are you waiting for?

Animal Planet has a fitting tribute to Steve Irwin:

http://animal.discovery.com/fansites/crochunter/steve/steve.html

From the main page, you can get to Forum where there are wonderful messages (alternatively, click the link below):

http://community.discovery.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/9691947048

Some examples:

THE DAY THE ANIMALS CRIED   by evelyn244

Did you hear? Asked the elephant
Raising her trunk to trumpet the news
He’s left us, he’s gone, this is not a ruse
The wolves howled a long mournful report
It cannot be, where is our Aussie sport?
The lions and leopards looked on in disbelief
Can this be true? They roared in anguished grief
The seals and polar bears hung their heads in sorrow
Wondering who would be their voice tomorrow
The penguins and the whales stopped in their play
And asked, what has happened on this earth today?
The reptile’s tongues sensed the pain all around
And lay still on the earth as if spellbound
The porpoises and turtles rose in the sea
To ask the other creatures how could this be?
The kangaroos and the wallabies stood still in fear
Our warrior, our champion is no longer here?
The koalas huddled together in their trees
Wondering if tomorrow they still would be free
The crocodile’s tears flowed freely like rain
Confirming the truth and showing their pain
This man, this human, this creature, our friend
Someone who loved us, and on whom we depend
Who showed the world, we’re all worthy of love
Has slipped from this earthly realm and ascended above.

To the Irwins, Wes, and the Australian Zoo family
The ones who will miss him the most, are those creatures
Who cannot speak for themselves.

                          ****************

Also by 4deco1 :

I agree with you 100%. This has definitely been a tragedy and a huge, huge loss but at some point we will all have to move on. That doesn't mean that we will forget about Steve and what he stood for. It simply means that we must honor his memory by doing our part to promote conservation and to care for and protect wildlife.

Steve was so effervescent and full of life. He was a joy to watch. When I see pictures of him smiling and looking so content, it is hard to believe that he is gone from this earth but I truly don't believe that he would want us spend our days crying and feeling depressed over his not being here. He would want us to carry on his work and that is what we must all do.

                           *****************

Also by tennesseenative :

It's hard know to do with grief; although we never want to hurt, it sure makes us know what we truly care about. When we hear about soldiers that die every day, a moment of sorrow passes and we are desensitized. With Steve, although I didn't know him, my grief has been so different.

I find myself looking up his name on the internet several times a day to see if there is any new news on him, as if I were looking for him to return. I have saved every picture that I have found of him onto my computer to create a memorial video for myself. I have watched and recorded every thing regarding him in his tribute and hardly can make it past the words "we'll miss you mate, we'll take it from here"...I cry at just typing those words.

I find myself asking God why..."Why would You take someone that is doing so much good for Your creations? Why would You take someone that is so inspirational? Why would You take a father from his children...a husband from his wife? WHY?" But then in my heart answers.."Look at the ripple effect that Steve has brought...his life is not over". Steve was just ONE man, that we loved to watch on television and at the zoo, that spent his whole life and all of his devotion to animal conservation. Steve was our hero, our warrior, the one that did things that we dared to dream of. And now..at this peak in his life, he was taken so quickly...

Look at the ripple. Like the ripple when a stone is thrown into a pond. The stone disappears from our eyes, but the ripple makes it way to the shore. Everyone that loved him so well will never look at a reptile or mammal the same way. For those that loved him, IF we all take that extra measure to follow his footsteps and do what we can to save an animal, donate to world conversation, in turn, we could be saving our world. And Steve's mission will not live in only Bindi or Bob, but in all of us also.

Steve has been taken to a better place. To see him cry for his mum, and to read what he wrote about and to her on the Crocodile Hunter website is so very moving. His last words in a letter in her memorial were "I long to be reunited with you". I would like to believe his wish is fulfilled.

As much as we want to question God, He knows what was ahead for Steve. How are we to know that God didn't spare him from something more horrible than death? As humans, we are not supposed to understand "why" anyone is taken so soon.

It is up to us to make the most of having the honor of "knowing" Steve here on earth. Let's make Steve proud and "his mission" will be complete.

We WILL miss you mate....and forever remember you.

                             *************

My title says it all.

Unknown to many people, I have been silently grieving the loss of my friend Steve Irwin.

I have never met Steve in person.

But I believe if you love someone that much, you can rightfully consider that someone to be your friend. And I also believe that you do not need to first meet someone before you can love him/her.

In other words, though I have not met Steve in person, I love him enough to consider him my friend. And the loss of a friend is not easy to bear.

I have spent hours following his adventures on screen. His passing comes as a real shocker to us all.

What was Steve Irwin all about? Simple!

Steve was all about life; he lived an enriched life full of vigour and vitality. His passion, his zest for life comes across unmistakenably on the TV screen week after week after week. Rarely, do you see a person who packs as much LIFE in him/her.

The second (in my humble opinion) outstanding thing about Steve was his love and kindness to animals. He was always very caring and careful when handling the animals. Countless animals have been rescued from hunger, confined spaces and ill-treatment. His LOVE truly warms the soul. If Steve's love for the animals escape you, go take a closer look at any of his shows. 

Of course, Steve has many other fine qualities such as bravery, great showmanship, a first-rate knowledge of wildlife, being a wonderful husband and dad, etc. Foe me, I will always remember him for being LARGER THAN LIFE and for his GREAT LOVE.

Dear friends, let me I tell you this: rarely does such a wonderful person come along into our lives. Stephen Robert Irwin a.k.a Steve "Crocodile Hunter" Irwin is definitely worth remembering and emulating.

Steve's life was a real living textbook on how to live our lives. Having a great zest for life and being extremely kind & loving are qualities that will never go out of fashion.

I am sorry I did not have the chance to meet Steve in person. I really, really should have made the effort.

RIP, dear Steve. I know you are off to the great petting zoo in the sky.

The flamboyant and lively Australian animal expert, Steve Irwin, died unexpectedly.

His death sends shockwaves around the world. Everyone dies in the end, of course, and Steve came close to dangerous animals all the time. Just that nobody expected a stingray.

I love Steve Irwin.

What a man. Bubbly and energetic, Steve was larger than life. He epitomised  the Australian spirit and rightfully, Australia remembers the passing of her beloved son.

Steve's handling of animals was unique. While some criticised his handling as intrusive (compared to David Attenborough's gentle, indirect observing style of the wildlife), TV-watchers will always remember his bold style.

I am glad that it was not a crocodile that killed him. Steve loved crocodiles (he was always saying "Croc rocks!") and it would be very sad if his favourite animal had killed him.

Many times, the lives of people around us unexpectedly end. Like a lighted candle suddenly snuffed out by an unexpected wind, life is short and should not be taken for granted.

Let us do more of the things we like (so long as they are responsible things); if you like to read a good book or have that nice ice-cream, you should go ahead. Keep some pets. watch a good movie/DVD. Take up new sports. Play more games. Take more naps. Spend more time with your loved ones.

Air entering our lungs, the warmth of the sun on our back, the taste of delicious food -- it feels great to be alive.

Let us celebrate life by living more fully. Steve lived an enriched life. There's really no need to mourn his passing. I reckon moping around is just not Steve's style anyway.

Instead, let us remember Steve for all the wonderful things he did and experienced. By emulating him, we will always carry a part of Steve with us. 

Hahaha, now the whole wide world knows Phionna Teo Wan Xin's birthday is on 30th August!

Today (29th August), I returned from work and napped. When I woke up and saw my mobile phone, I thought there had been a national disaster or a ghost sighting in school or something.

12 missed calls and 3 text messages while I was busy zzz-ing (hee hee)! 

Of course, I returned call at once. Yong Hui was having tuition (since when does a smart girl like her need tuition anyway???) but told me about there would be a mini-class party the next day. Little Phionna's birthday.

Happy birthday, P-Ona P-Ona, you little sweetie!! 

Well, I'm so sorry that I have to work tomorrow and I finish only in the afternoon. I must assure everyone in 3C that my absence does not mean I feel less for the class. On the contrary, I always think of the little ones in 3C (and in 3G). As I have said so often, my genuine fondness of the children were plain for the whole world to see. This fondness has not decreased with time -- in fact, it has grown even more with time.

Ah, but back to the objective of this entry. To wish little Phionna Happy Birthday and to thank the children who called/emailed me about the mini-party.

I am surprised that as many as NINE children contacted me today. NINE children in one single day!   Of course, the rest of the class probably felt that there were enough informants to get the message across.

For the record, special thanks to:

Yong Hui, Koala, Hazel, Megan, Phionna & Shanisse who called.

Khang Zhie & Claire who emailed me.

Claudia who texted me.

Thanks also to the rest of 3C!

Love you always!

Happy National Day   

For me, National Day and the Parade are very, very special.

For a start, we are all SINGAPOREANS or people living in Singapore. My loved ones -- family and friends all stay here. This is where I grew up. This is the land where I have been spending MMM (many memorable moments). Because we all live so close to one another on this tiny island, it means we are always very, very close to one another at all times. Isn't that a beautiful thought? 

I just love parties, don't you?  Any reason to celebrate & party is welcome. You know, being Singaporeans (or non-Singaporeans who live in Singapore) is a WONDERFUL reason to celebrate. Heck, even the government gets into the party mood!!! 

Also, I can be very sentimental. National Day and the Parade always bring fond memories. I remember the many National Days I spent with my mother. Now she has passed on. I know I will always think of her every National Day.   

I remember celebrating National Day as a primary schooler and now I had gone on to be a primary school teacher!!! I still recall loving "Count on Me Singapore" and "There's a Part for Everyone" -- nationalistic and nostalgic songs of yesteryears. Then I was only 8-9 years old. I remember all my feelings then as if it were yesterday.

So there they are. The 3 reasons why I love National Day:

1) Being Singaporean

2) Partying (with even the leaders of the country joining in!) 

3) Fond memories evoked during this special day

As I am writing this now, the time is 3.30 am, Wednesday 9th August 2006. Fifteen more hours to the Parade! I love you all !!! Happy National Day!!! Let the fireworks began!!!!

Hello all, here are the latest changes and they apply to 3C:

Mrs Anne Kor will not be taking 3C English (she had requested for a lighter load) but will continue to teach in the school. 

In her place will be Ms Jacqulin Chan (hopefully, I've the spelling correct). Ms Chan will also be the form teacher of 3C.

Mr Yap? He will continue to be the new 3C Maths and Science teacher.

The information is correct as of now (12.55 pm Friday 23rd June 2006).

Here's some more information on Mr Yap Heng Yeow:

He is a father of 2 daughters aged 2 and 5. He wanted to find out how I had managed with 3C so that he could try to match our styles a little so as to reduce stress to the children. 

His Mandarin is good and he seems like a friendly, understandable and approachable person (He is considering releasing his mobile number to the children). Mr Yap will be sitting to the right of my old table (in other words, behind the table of Mdm Siti). A Mr Low will be occupying my old table but he (Mr Low) will not be teaching 3C at all.

                                                            *************************                               

Well, today (Friday) is my last day with the school. Yesterday (Thursday) was pretty emotional for me and I went round the empty school taking pictures for rememberance. Anyway, how does one wrench oneself from 3 years of happy memories? I keep thinking of the children all the time. Well  ...

Yesterday, the school was almost empty and I was all alone as I went up to the hilltop. I remembered standing over Snowy's grave in the early afternoon when a cool breeze swept over. To me delight, a tree lizard crawled up the shrub next to the grave of our little friend. The leaves bowed gently in the wind and all was quiet around the garden. And I was greatly moved ...  Snowy's final resting place was wonderfully peaceful. In my heart, I said goodbye to Snowy and slowly walked away. 

We just had our staff meeting today and I found out who the new teacher for 3C and 3G is !

Welcome to your new teacher, Mr Yap Heng Yeow !

Mr Yap is slated in to teach 3C Maths, Science and probably Social Studies. He will also teach 3G (English and Science).

Mr Yap was sporting a crew cut (that's short hair for you). Some of you may have even seen him in school last semester.

That's all the information I have, folks!  Anyway, things are subject to changes. We shall wait till confirmation when school reopens.

Right now as I am typing this, the entire school has adjourned to Kampong Glam and Little India for their own Amazing Race. It is a bonding exercise -- for the teachers to interact with one another. They had to leave in a hurry so I did not have the chance to find out more of Mr Yap.

The year was 2000. I was a bank officer then.

On warm afternoon, I was at home and took a nap. I dreamt of many things which I could not remember

Waking up later, I remained in bed. The room had since darkened considerably. "Had I slept till the next day?", I wondered to myself. Looking at the lifeless sky with receding pale clouds, it sure felt like it was 6.45 am.  

I had totally lost track of the time. Was it evening or morning  The dreams had been confusing, the sleep sluggish and for a moment, I did not know the time of the day. It was rather unsettling.  

Then I heard it. The familar sounds of primary school children playing downstairs. I heard their pattering footsteps as they chased one another. The giggles and the shouts! The sheer joy of having just been dismissed from the afternoon session.   

I have never heard of a more beautiful sound.  

In sharp contrast to the darkening sky, the joy and innocence of the children brought instant joy and calm. The presence of those little angels helped restored my sense of well-being.

There and then, I realised that in children are the life of the world. 

I knew that I needed to be around more children. The more the better. One classroom = 40 of them. That's GREAT!!!!!!

I had had a wonderful childhood with amazing primary school days. Since I could never be a primary schooler again, the only way to relive the golden days was to be a teacher.

I knew then that before I could even go on to do other things, I needed first to respond to the calling. The calling of the children. Without doing so, I will remain an incomplete being and everything I do will lack flavour and soul.

I believe that to achieve great things or to truly experience the full joys of life's simple things, one must first be true to oneself. 

Anyway, I am bascially a child who loves other children very, very much. So I told myself, "Alfie, if you are going to be a child's teacher, do wisely use the chance to make him/her happy. And do so at every opportunity!" 

I grabbed the chance with both hands.

Objective of website (Started on 23rd May 2006):

This simple website was started to help keep in touch with my little friends. I believe we should work at keeping the friends we make or else we lose them. 

My hope: My little friends may use this as one way to also keep in touch with one another (and not just with me). They do this by posting comments and by updating contacts i.e. new email addresses. 

All (children, parents and friends) are most welcome to keep in touch via this site. 

Perhaps we can have a reunion party every decade.

Plans for this website:

I intend to post useful/interesting information/thoughts from time to time, perhaps on a monthly basis.

My friends (children or adults), you may wish to announce important changes to yourlives or share some views, etc. One way to do so is by posting comments under "Guest Book". 

Rules for this website:

Let's be friendly and polite. Let us not use words that hurt.  

As many of you are interested to know who the new 3C form teacher is (and who the new 3G English and Science teacher is), I will post the latest update here (so watch this space!) once I have the information. Chances are, it will be a teacher new to the school who will join the school in mid-2006.