Good Reply, Sean.

Mr Gi wrote this on moodle:
"Hello, Mr Tan Chin Hui, have you replied to NLB's email?"
Following that, an email by Lee Boon Ann about pw courtesy.

Sean replied, "hello, Mr Gi Soong Chee,
sadly, I have not replied via email. I prefer the more intimate nature of the telephone. Taking the effort to thank someone personally over the phone seems more sincere to me, dont you agree?"

Mr Gi then replied, "Yes Mr Tan that is perfectly fine. Following up with an email to put the matter on record as well as to keep all parties informed will be the norm practised in most organisations inthe real world. For example when Ms Sharon called me to discuss about the feasibility of the group's project, this was followed up by the email to you and cc:ing the parties concerned.
This would have reduced/eliminated the need for my original question. Don't you think so?"

For the full story: http://web.vjc.moe.edu.sg/~gisc/learn/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=102#463

Ahh.. A sarcastic reply upon another sarcastic reply. I wonder what Sean will reply with next. Mr Gi likes to be sarcastic:
"healthy lifestyle programme"
"I do not think I would like to see a pussy cat" - 1 of his favourite sarcastic lines
"Make sure your hair is long enough and your skirt is short enough." - Oh yes, I'm sure.

Is some sarcasm in return good then? Perhaps. It might simmer our peeved tempers. Yet, it is not in line with the respect we ought to give our tutors. What respect? You may ask then. They have done nothing to earn our respect.

Well, looking at things objectively, Mr Gi has done things that in a way, can help improve ourselves. By being so strict, and harsh, we might perhaps become more disciplined individuals familiar with the cruelities of the world. Indeed, the motive behind wanting us to cultivate civic-mindedness and developing discipline is good. But are the methods used suitable?

By and large, I am convinced that he wants us to improve ourselves. However, I don't feel that he cares for us as students (as yet). There is a difference between wanting someone to do well, and actually caring for that person. Some of us may already experience this through our parents, who has so high expectations of us that no doubt they provide us with the best resources, but do they truly care and understand? Likewise, Mr Gi may be just doing his job. He may want to build a reputation as a strict and effective ct tutor, as one who changes students for the better through his stricter methods. At the end of the day, if he succeeds, he will get his own due recognition.

One of the nicer things he's said about us:
"I am confident that 05S44 can do better in terms of civic responsibilty. This is a good class (better than most which I come across in my years in VJC), just that my standards are stringent."

Quite a compliment. But if you look at it again, not so much of a compliment but more of a call for us to live up to his expectations.

Well, does he truly care for the class as the civics tutor? I won't be so quick to say no. But as long as, he doesn't show more understanding, doesn't try to listen to our opinions and actually take them seriously, doesn't make an effort to help out pw groups who are struggling, I won't brand him as a good and caring teacher.

Chun Teck, when I read your post, I wanted to tell you, "Cheer up! Don't need to be so stressed." But I realised that wouldn't help much, since it would not solve the problem. But know that you have your classmates and friends supporting you. Like Hi, which I believe should be liang hong, who wrote that post reflecting his own personal experiences, hopefully it will give you some encouragement. We can't run away from problems, sadly. Everyone faces them. Some more, some less. Some worse, some better. When you read of someone worse off than you, you'd feel blessed that your life is not so hectic now.

Well, we're a lot better off than many, many people in this world. But I guess its hard to appreciate that fact, which we know, because well, we're just so used to this comfortable life, its become a norm for us. But still, whether you're rich or poor, you'll still face problems. And yes, "we were made to rise above circumstances", so view these problems, the stress, everything, as a chance to make you a better and stronger person, rather than be taken down by it.

Consider this. A person who have faced constant hunger, when he is brought out of his poverty, not having to starve anymore, he would probably not mind eating food that is less than appetising. However, a rich person who is so used to eating good food may find it absolutely impossible to have a simple meal. A person who has lived through a war would be able to bear hardships and inconveniences that someone who has lived comfortably all his life.

We have lived quite comfortably so far. But thank God we face problems, or should I say, challenges. Each time we overcome a hurdle, it makes us a stronger, more confident person. When you meet someone mourning the death of her favourite pet, you'll know that you have learnt how to part with your loved ones. When you are thrown into a situation which you are completely unprepared for next time, at least you can remember from the lessons which you face today.

For me, there is so many things I want to do, but which I lack the motivation and discipline to. Until I fall hard on my face, will I realise that I have to actually start putting in more effort in everything I do. But for now, at least I'm concentrating hard for my interest - kayaking. A medal is what I am aiming for, not this year, but next. Hopefully, I will be able to find the motivation to train hard to achieve my goal. And this kind of motivation is not easy to come by.

- wilbuR