An Old Friend

Last week, I was very happy to meet an old friend of mine, from our days in Chua Chu Kang Secondary in the 90s, Pak Chik Samat. He is one of those friends who you never forget as he went through many school events and experiences with you.

 

 

Pak Chik was originally employed as a school warden when CCK was started by Ms Sum Chee Wah, the Principal in 1992. Before the first pupils arrived at the beginning of 1993, he guarded the school premises day and night. Once the school began operation, he was then employed as a gardener.

During those initial days, stocky Pak Chik, TSO Zulkiflee and I decided to transform the garden scape of the school. Bonsai plant, Wrightia was planted along the front fence boundary of the school. These plants are now more than 20 years old!!!! Many fruit and spice trees were also planted around the school besides the normal trees which NEA?PPD provided, to create a kampung atmosphere. Go into CCK compound now and you know what I meant.

Pak Chik also followed us to school camps outside school. He was such an integral part of the school then.

                                    Pak Chik with Mr Lee A L, Zulkiflee and his father-in-law
                                   Pak Chik's favorite food : Mee Goreng with potatoes

When I met him again last week, I can't help to have a sense of helplessness initially. However as we chatted I sensed an air of optimism and hope even at an age of 75. He is on a wheelchair and spent the weekdays in Swami Home (Sembawang). He has to learn to reuse his once powerful limbs again through a variety of exercises. However, his ever smile and optimism made me saw a light in a tunnel and is confident that he will lead a satisfactory life, though his problems cannot be easily solved. I have never manage to hold a good conversation with him, like chicken and duck. He understands but cannot speak in English. I can understand basic Malay but cannot speak it. However, somehow, we understand each other all this time!! An endearing part is that he always call me Mr Whoosh....

Pak Chik - retired in 2000. AM Wilson presenting him a gift from staff





Life as An Adjunct Teacher

It was reported this week in Straits Times that more and more retired teachers rejoined the service as either Flexi-Adjunct (FAJT) or Contract Adjunct (CAJT) teachers. I am very thankful that after one year of being a FAJT, I was offered to continue as a CAJT in the school next year. As a retiree who still wishes to be occupied, in mind, soul and body, and being a teacher for all my life, it was a big lift  for my spirit when I was told about it. Somehow, not being a normal full time teacher can sap one's spirit and lower one self esteem if you allow them to manifest.

The Reason
Why did I want to continue in the present school? I believed that a positive school culture towards everyone is the main reason. I decided to retire 'immaturely' as a key personnel (KP) could be due to my previous school's leaders 'vibes'. Being appreciated, whoever you are,  is also one of the reason. Also, the being 'just a teacher' feeling is one lost forgotten feeling since the days I left Institute of Education as a virgin teacher. You just prepare your lesson and facilitate learning!!

FAJT vs CAJT:
The former is like a relief teacher (RT). Three months (one term) contract renewed termly. Salary based on hourly rate ($38 per hour for a graduate teacher) subjected to a maximum number of hours per contract. No other benefits are given. If you are sick, too bad, you are not paid for the MC. Good thing is that you can care less about others things happening around the school if you wish to. When the hour is up you just pack up and go. Of course there are also FAJT who stayed beyond the hours for the benefits of the pupils.
CAJT is like a normal teacher. You are given a year's contract subjected to passing a medical checkup, paid by MoE, at Raffles Medical Centre. There is an element of uncertainty as RMC will not give a copy of the report to you. I was told that we only know whether we passed the medical in Jan, after we have joined the school, starting December 26 (so that we can attend the Staff & Department meetings before the new term starts, I think).  The yearly Performance Bonus (PB) may be paid subjected to good performance. However, DON'T expect the high end of the payment. The Principal decides whether we are subjected to performance ranking review by a KP or not. I heard that many Principal forgo the review for CAJT. However, SOME enthusiastic KPs may want to be heard in the name of developing and 'setting targets' with the CAJT. It showed 'POWER' in capital, for some of them, which is not uncommon in schools.
As a 3/4 workload CAJT, one needs not to be a form teacher or be in charge of a CCA. However, he may be asked to join an ad-hoc or event committee.

Looking forward to New Year
I believed that as a 'retired teacher', one has to count small blessings that come our way in our everyday life back in school. One just cannot go back to the former self. One also must not put up as a threat to narrow minded people who are afraid that we will break their rice bowl. Nowadays, there are so many SH posts and thus much more number of KPs (yes, in some schools, all their SHs are in the School Management Committee). These are younger group of teachers, 5 to 10 years service usually, who may felt uneasy if they have an 'old ginger' in their midst. So, don't act like you will be a threat!!!

2024 UPDATE

My stint as a Contract Adjunct Teacher ended in 2023, after 10 years in the school. In 2024, I became a Flexi-Adjunct teacher.  The present policy is that a teacher, above 70 years of age,  can only be given 50% teaching load maximum while performing CCA, Form teachership or a School Committee while being paid only 50% of the salary. What kind of deal is that esp if  one's CCA is a core one (I was previously asked to be Wushu which is the core one in my school) and many hours were needed to be present. 

When back in school, horrors upon horrors, my education account was deleted. I am a nobody, have to reapply for the account and set up my email again.... the digital age when all data can be cleared.

The appointment is to be renewed termly ie quarterly. No benefits like medical or school holidays were appropriated. As long as you did not work, zero renumeration. not to mention Annual or Performance bonus. The saddest part is that one is NOT PAID a cent if you are present for school celebrations like Lunar New Year, Founder's Day, Honour's Day, Youth Day,  even Teacher's Day unless you are invited by KP and has specific duties to perform. In other words, you must be 'student engaged'!!!

The only difference from a Relief Teacher is that FADJT has a term contract. So, it seemed that a FADJT is a digit in the school system. One come on time, finish the day's duty and just leave. No further incentive to stay back as there is a MAXIMUN WAGE for each set of 15 days, equivalent to a maximum working hours of 7, five days per week.

State of affairs in our sports

The recent results of two team sports brought out the great contrast between them in many ways. Our netball ladies are the Asian Champion twice in a roll while our men soccer team is struggling in the Asian Games after a last minute successful appeal to be included to participate.
Much resources have been pumped into the national soccer team nation-wide and yet the 2010 dream remained as wishful thinking. We have the an infrastructure, S League, foreign coaches, COE for aspiring players (it has not been as successful as the NFAs the last time) and yet the team struggled even in a regional age group competitions, which was an embarrassment and an insult to all. When the national team won the ASEAN titles sometime ago there was great joy, adulation, etc though it was only a regional competition.
In contrast, it seemed that netball was given the short stick. Though they have an international coach, they didn't not have that much resources esp funds as the soccer team has.

What went wrong or right?
Soccer reaches out to many Singaporeans. You can see so many young boys kicking the ball around in the estates and any empty spaces daily. The inter-schools competitions always attract the most number of secondary school teams compared to any other sports/games. That could the reason why some elite schools avoided participation in this competition. Then the talented boys are shooed into COEs and the Sports School, yet... I have watched the Sports School teams playing in the inter school competition. They could be regarded as 'professionals' as these selected boys are housed in such an environment where they can train daily, twice a day, under very qualified coaches and psychologists, on a good field and with little stress on studies as they have ample support from the school. Compared this to a team from an 'ordinary' school, you would expect the SS boys to dominate, yet it has not been happening.

Is our scouting network wide enough? I was with a school in the West that soccer is a niche game for a few years. During an inter school match, a well-known soccer coach, impressed with my school's team commented to our teacher : why were those two boys not in NFA? Simple answer: these free spirited neighborhood boys did not attend did not deem it important to attend any of the selection trials!!

Netball is a game which seemingly is not that popular in and out of school. You do not see girls playing the game around the estates (basketball is more prominent) though there are many school teams in inter school competitions. I believed that they are also not given that much resources. So why are they doing so well comparatively?

I believed netball took off the moment when Ivy Singh took over. She is one hell of a lady who doesn't buckle against any odds. Thus, the notion of giving off one's all with little resources, never say die spirit and then winning was imbued in the netball DNA from then onwards. The closed group of players is able to gell, focus to achieve their target....teamwork & comradeship. The sailors and bowlers who are successful have more or less the same formula. Soccer? Too loosely grouped.

There is the 'mental thing'. Our soccer boys are too soft. Just look at the crocked players who seemed to be perpetually injured and yet chosen. Even the younger boys were caught up with wearing the latest boots model to look good thinking as though they are the millionaire footballers in professional leagues. When it comes to a crunch, they faded, the strawberry generation it is called.

Another is the lack of a sporting culture. Why is New Zealand dominating rugby? NZ families usually spent their weekends relaxing in parks and open areas. Their children would be playing with rugby balls instead of an handphone in shopping malls. Who supports the S league? More as spectators than hands-on participants....also punters and gamblers

Non-grad in Singapore Confessions

Letter sent to ST Forum on 12 Sept 2014

Since the formation of ASPIRE, there was a great amount of discussion by one and all about one's educational aspirations and how the society can be shaped to slow down the 'paper chase' etc.

Below are the views and comments from a retired person who began as a non-grad but finally ended as a grad in the 'autumn' period of the career as an education officer.

ASPIRATION

After O levels in the late 60s, I went to Polytechnic instead of Pre-U as I realized that I was not that academically  inclined after spending 3 months in a Pre U centre. There, we learnt at our own pace with a lot of hands-on experience. Much time was spent doing Society work and lazing at the club house besides going to the library for further readings. After graduation, many of my classmates went overseas esp to Strathclyde U in Scotland to read their degree in engineering. They were exempted from the first year of the 3-yr engineering course on the strength of the Poly diploma. I could only envy as my home economics didn't allow me to go further. There was nothing I could do as I still have a 7-year bursary bond hanging over my head and that I have to help my family financially. Lost opportunity? Anger at my condition? I knew that it was impossible to fulfill that 'degree aspiration' then.

FULFILMENT & FRUSTRATION

After NS, I joined MoE as an education officer. Being a diploma holder, I was between the non-grads and the grads in the school. 80% are grads. The non-grads like me were teaching the Craft & Technology subjects (Art, Home Econs, Technical). There were some PE teachers and Mother Tongue teachers who were later deployed to the primary schools in an exercise (during the 90s). Externally, there was really no differentiation between grads and non-grads in the schools I were in because we didn't discuss the paper qualification. The only sore point was the renumeration and the promotion prospect. Regardless of how we performed, somehow there seemed to be a perception that non-grad could go no further. I was fully in charge of the school soccer team, my fellow non-grad colleague was in charge of the softball team......somehow, sometimes, while performing my duties, I often wondered why some of the grad teachers who were better paid were not given such duties. They should be doing more than me...... the devil part of me told me. What about my 'degree aspiration'? I could not take full-time off to study again since, by now, I have three young children to feed.

I guessed 'hard work' paid off sometimes. I was soon promoted to be a Head of Department in a school. Maybe the Principal was enlightened or someone was needed to fill in that post. Whatever it was, I have to deal with a spectrum of people, some without education (the school servants), some with degree.

I was holding the post for about 5 years before I realized, after seeing so many of my grad colleagues being promoted to higher posts, that I MUST fulfill my 'degree aspiration'.

OPPORTUNITIES

The breakthrough came when SIM started the part-time OUDP in 1994. I was in the first batch of mostly teachers who were in their 'autumn period' of their career, signed up paying our own fees. Many were holding senior post in their respective schools. MoE required us to submit our yearly results but there was no guarantee, in written or oral, that we would be emplaced in the graduate scale upon completion of the course, but we soldiered on for 5 years (some finished in 3 or 4 years at a faster pace). True to some of our beliefs then, we were told that we would not be emplaced in the graduate scale (see attached letter). Imagine the anguish and frustrations at our mother employer who didn't recognize our effort and the certification of an authentic institution!!! As a group, we wrote in to appeal but no avail until about 3 years later before they emplaced us in the SEO 1 graduate scale. The question asked then was that: Did MoE view a non-grad HOD at the same level as a grad HOD? Weren't we performing the same duties? In fact, an enlightened school P would & should not be looking at the paper qualification, but in one's performance when evaluating an officer. However, how many enlightened school leaders are there in the schools? I have seen P who were in awe of 'scholars' who came down to school from the ivory towers of MOE for 'school experience'. These are future administrators and planners of the civil service, 'white knights' whose career paths are clearly marked out. Naturally, they were ranked high in the list of teachers as they have 'high CEP' (Potential) though in reality they might not make it as a 'bread and butter' classroom teacher.

How about now? In schools, the only non-grad classroom officers are the AEDs who are mostly Poly diploma holders. I knew that their career path is very unsure at this moment. They need a degree in order to be converted into education officers. Will ASPIRE really 'help' the outstanding ones to realize their dream without going through the paper chase?

I commend the recommendations and the aspirations of ASPIRE. Their lofty aims can only be fulfilled when there is a siesmic shift in the mind-set of people, starting from the civil service. This mind set that the degree is the most important piece of paper in one's life, will take a long time, maybe a generation or two before it changes. The paper chase is not the one and for all and you are done for life.....

Mindset change on paper chase will take time

Published ST Forum online on Sep 18, 2014 12:15 AM                           
         

SINCE the release of the Applied Study in Polytechnics and ITE Review (Aspire) report, there has been much talk about educational aspirations and the paper chase.

After my O levels in the late 1960s, I attended a polytechnic instead of a junior college because I was not that academically inclined.
After leaving polytechnic, many of my classmates went overseas for their degree studies, but I could not continue my studies because of my financial situation. Besides, I had a seven-year bursary bond to fulfil.

Following national service, I joined the Ministry of Education as an education officer. Most of the teachers were university graduates. The non-graduates were assigned to teach craft and technology subjects like art, home economics and technical work, as well as physical education.
Other than that, there was no differentiation between graduates and non-graduates in the schools I taught in. The only sore point was the remuneration and promotion prospects. Regardless of how the non-graduates performed, there seemed to be a perception that they could go no further.
Despite this, I was soon promoted to be a head of department. I held the post for about five years before I realised, after seeing many of my graduate colleagues being promoted to higher posts, that I had to fulfil my degree aspirations.
The breakthrough came when the Singapore Institute of Management started running the part-time Open University Degree Programme in 1994. I was in the first batch, which comprised mostly teachers in the "autumn" of their careers.
The Education Ministry required us to submit our yearly results, but there was no guarantee we would be placed on the graduate track upon completion of the course.
True enough, we were not. Imagine our anguish and frustration at not having our efforts recognised. It was only three years later that we were placed on the graduate scale.
What about the current situation? In schools, the only non-graduate classroom officers are the allied educators, who are mostly polytechnic diploma holders.
Will the latest policy shift really help outstanding non-graduates to realise their dreams?
Aspire's lofty aims can be fulfilled only if there is a seismic shift in the mindsets of people, starting with the civil service. The thinking that a degree is the "most important piece of paper in one's life" will take a long time to change - perhaps a generation or two. The paper chase is not the be-all and end-all of life.

Woo Peng Fei

http://www.straitstimes.com/archive/thursday/premium/forum-letters/story/mindset-change-paper-chase-will-take-time-20140918

Confessions and frustrations of a non-grad

TNP article dated 11 Sept 2014 ' Confession of a non-grad' resonates with my experiences and feelings during my working life as a non-graduate in the Education service.

Secondary schools are manned mostly by graduates ever since I joined the service in the late 70s. The pockets of non-graduates were found in the Craft & Technology  Department (Art, Technical & Home Economics) and some in the Mother Tongue Department. In my 3 decades of experience,  I knew that the non-graduates did the same work, took on the same responsibilities and worked side by side with their graduate counterparts all the time. Yet, in terms of renumeration there was and still is a wide difference. Even a new graduate earned more than an experienced non-grad. The feeling was rotten when we compared. Chances to be promoted for a non-grad were few and remote. In the late 80s & early 90s,  I was the only non-grad HOD in my school because of an enlightened Principal. It was a frustrating time, knowing that I could be as good as a graduate colleague, yet we were not equal. Still the difference in renumeration and standing as an educator in the school remained.
It made me determined to become a graduate. There are a few foreign universities eg Strathclyde U in Scotland, Loughborough U in UK that welcome Polytechnic grads without A levels into their degree courses. However, as the sole bread winner and with a family of 3 children to feed, I could not take full time off to pursue my wish and dream. Then the opportunity came when the OUDP offered part time degree courses in SIM. I was in the first batch of non-grad teachers who took this opportunity to 'upgrade' myself. When we completed our degree course, MOE was initially hesitant in recognizing it and in placing us in the graduate scale.
The mind shift of the MoE would need a gigantic shove even when it's own minister deemed the ambitions of ASPIRE as lofty and has been encouraging them. However, it remains that the ministry wanted only graduates to man the classes primary and secondary. Now, the notion is that even a degree is not enough to pull one up the ladder. You need a Master!

Initially, just to show,  there would surely be a few promotions for the very few non-grads left in the service just to show the intent. If they can promote the more abled AEDs, then I say 'bravo' , as I knew of AEDs who were more able to manage the 'difficult' Normal classes than some graduate teachers the bread and butter of the job.
Over and above the graduates are the 'Scholars' who would be future ministry administrators. They are held in high esteem when they descend to schools to seek experience. Everyone knows that these scholars are 'white knights' whose very career path is already charted clearly regardless of whether they can manage the mundane task of handling 'difficult' classes. There was one who came to the school I taught, for 2 years or so. The P would not dare to rank her below any staff. She was not top and 'had no result to show' and yet seemed to be untouchable. Why? Isn't it a case of degree worship?

Silat Road update

Update on Silat Road
Another of my childhood area would be partially (thank God) demolished and be gone forever. Fortunately, a few remaining SIT blocks built in the 1950s would be kept, re-renovated to keep some part of Singapore history alive. Below is the link to the page when I reminiscence about this childhood place of mine.

http://rosewiththorn.blogspot.sg/search?q=Silat+Road

Here are some photographs taken in the middle of 2014, showing the demolishing work in progress.

Going ....

Going.......

 

Going.......

GONE!!!!

Lucky Block 25 remains

 

The blocks facing the main Kg Bahru Road are saved

Types of Teachers in Singapore Schools

Teachers formed the largest group of civil servants in Singapore. In the 60s to 70s, teachers were trained in TTC (Teachers' Training Centre) or IE (Institute of Education). Some of us were part-time trainees We taught in school in the morning, then proceed to TTC for training in the afternoon. The prospect of a teacher at that time was rather hazy as there didn't seem to be a progression of career except that we had our yearly increment and regular 'crossing of the bar'. Thus many of us were contented in where we were, JUST TEACH. Those who aspired knew that they could only be Senior assistant in the school if they could not make it to be the Principal or VP. The SEO salary scale was a very high point to reach, only selected few managed to reach it.
Nowadays, many teachers are highly motivated for promotion and they wanted it as fast as possible. The school leaders used the 'Appraisal System' to chart their subordinates' progress. More often than not, the 'system' is used to highlight the areas of weakness. My personal experiences of it was that the SL usually discussed 80% on one's weaknesses and glossed over one's strengths if he/she wanted to grade you down!! You would leave the SL office with a bitter taste.
Though the Appraisal System is always evolving, the types of teachers in our midst remained largely similar.

The Newbies :  Enthusiastic, wanting to try the learning theories/philosophies they learned from NIE. adding a whiff of fresh air into the Staff Room... They are the ones with loads of ideas and initiatives. Alas, so many of them fade even before the year is over, overwhelmed by the demands.

The newly promoted:  Like new drivers they threw in ideas like no tomorrow, buoyed/fueled by the promotion. More pay, more responsibilities. The subordinates got trampled but these people march on to new heights

The Bored : Usually after about 3 to 5 years when the teacher is steeped in the groove of the school culture, no one listens to him/her anymore and the routines drags on days after days. Could even sleep with eyes open.

The Disciplinarian : No matter what the new philosophies in education are like, they maintained their strict discipline over the pupils, no compromise. My values, only my values....

The Tired Ones : Unlike the bored ones they seemed to be doing a lot more than others, and then was given more and more by the school leaders in the name of 'testing' the teacher. Ages very quickly and soon would want to find a place to lean their tired body and mind,

The Principal 'pet' : Usually follows the Principal if he is transferred. The blue-eyed one is trusted, protected and could do no wrong in the eyes of the Principal. Some even buy the same car model as the Principal. All oppositions are shut down by the almighty. Even protests by other colleagues are not welcomed. Self-assured and has a deadly smile when he/she approaches a potential threat. The 'pet' is usually promoted to a higher level or scale before the Principal leaves the school

Follow the book type :  They follow the syllabus and the book to the very last letter. Students are asked to underline/highlight the content in the book for revision and examination regurgitation. Lessons seldom deviate from the book content and parameters. These teachers still exist and are result oriented, though the numbers are declining.

The Screamers : Old school types whose voice could be heard from very corner of the school. Military style of discipline. Initially feared by students but the similar effects fade with time. Could suffer heart attack anytime.

The forever hassled : He/she looked overwhelmed most of the time. very common species. Could not finish marking, could not meet deadline, with little social life as time after school is also occupied with school work. Usually psychologically affected, could be suicidal as they isolate themselves from the others.

The gung-ho : Young and ready for any challenges. The first one to volunteer for any project/initiative.

The super hero: Deemed himself/herself to be able to do anything and everything. Young and cool under pressure. Would want promotion fast and early. Step on more toes and tails on his/her way up, more enemies and friends in the working place.

 The blackboard one :  These teachers faced the board most of the time rather than being pupil-centric as notes are painstakingly written on it. Old school type that is rare in numbers nowadays as technologies like projectors, laptops, tablets etc are taking effect to make life easier. Their notes are from the 'Bible' and not to be questioned. Students spent most of the time copying the notes.

Demands from and of the teacher in different era

Boy! Tell me why Why WHY !!!

YOU! Tell me WHY WHY WHY !!!!

Engaging disinterested pupils

          

The innocent attentive pupil of the past       The classroom in the future?? Who need teachers?

Attack of the Supermarket Shoppers 2 - Vegetables

Vegetables sold in the super/hyper market are usually pre-packed, tagged and priced in clear plastic bags for the simple reason of convenience and reduction of wastage, unlike those sold in the wet market. Thus, the leafy vegetables are already sorted out and should be fresh and clean, free of holes on leaves.
However, shoppers are still up to their antics when buying vegetables:

-  Sorting : Nothing wrong with selecting the fresh, young and crunchy vegetables like beans, cauliflowers, cabbage, etc which are usually not pre-packed.  I have seen shoppers patiently choosing Green/French beans, put them side by side, measure and put back those which are longer or shorter. Some would press to check the freshness or tear away the first layer (supposedly to reduce weight) of cabbages. Some would even remove the stalks to lessen the weight...how much would such action save in price??

The supermarket employee usually removes the bruised front surfaces of the cabbages before loading onto the display stand

- Exchanging : It is not uncommon to see shoppers exchanging the items in pre-packed vegetables like onions, lemons, chillies, etc. Those which are sealed suffer less of such fate. Shoppers target those plastics which are tied or simply tagged.

-  Abandoning : As like the fruits, one could see packs of vegetables being abandoned in shelves when the buyers decided against them. Sometimes, one could find nicely selected Green/French beans in plastic bag. That person would have spent time selecting the best...but then.....

Common sight where vegetables were abandoned in a 'convenient' other than its rightful place

Disclaimer :
I do not have any connection with the supermarket/hypermarket either as an owner/proprietor or as an employee. I am just an interested everyday consumer.

Attack of the Supermarket Shoppers 1 - Fruits

Every Sunday is a supermarket Sunday for us. We visit either the IMM Supermarket at Jurong East, where there is a 3-hour free parking, or the Fairprice Supermart at Bukit Timah Shopping Centre. While waiting for my wife to complete her purchases, I have the luxury of time to observe the behaviour of the shoppers around me. Some of their antics were amusing but some were downright disgusting but then who am I to judge? I just wonder how the supermarket owners would classify them or their behaviours when they reviewed their CCTV cameras video capture.
Here are some of the observations:

At the Fruit Section
Many fruits are now nicely pre-packed in Styrofoam or PET packs for the obvious reasons of hygiene and convenience. However some are not pre-packed because of their size or due to customers' preference in different quantity ie giving a choice to the customer.

-  Tasting : for those 'loose' fruits like cherry, lychees, longans, etc, there will be shoppers who unshamingly peel off the skin and taste them on the spot. Some would shyly grab a couple and nonchalantly put them into their mouth, away from the glare of others. Once, I offered a lady my spare plastic bag when I saw her choosing cherries, which were expensive, beside me. She was holding some in her hands (yes, both hands). She declined, saying that she would get her own nearby and walked away. I did not see her again.

Leftover skin and seeds at the lychee stand in a supermarket. Shoppers balantly peel and taste the fruit, most not buying afterwards

-  Pressing: there were some who would press the fruits through the packing and you would usually find 'nail marks' on the skin or flesh of such fruits eg durian, starfruit. These marks were so obvious. Will those culprits buy the package that has been dented? I believed not!

-  Grabbing : Once the supermarket worker starts to replenish the stock, you will find many eager buyers waiting like frenzied vultures around him. Before he can finish pouring the box content into the display area, eager hands in the rugby scrum will try grab the 'biggest' and freshest. This usually happened when mangoes, melons, apples are on sale. It did not end there as some shoppers would continue to wait for the next box to be poured...hoping for a better (?) fruit. I really do not know when they will be satisfied with their purchase which is already the freshest (straight from the box) at that moment.

 

Shoppers rushed to grab the new stock of cherries even before the employee finished unloading.

-  Tearing : Among the boxes of prepacked fruits, one could always find some with their packing literally torn even those in cardboard carton like persimmons, Philippines or Indian mangoes. It seemed that the shoppers were looking deep inside for its freshness, quality, size, whatever. I have seen some shoppers changing the content inside...of course to change for the larger fruit found in another box. Those which were weighed and tagged were not spared either. The shoppers didn't bother that there would be a change of price for the these weighed item after the exchange!!!! Who wiould buy those with torn packaging??

-  Abandoning : Among the shelves, one could find packages of weighed fruit which have been abandoned either due to the price (shocked by it) or their whims. Some fruits like Cherries seemed to be deceptively cheap...12 cents per 100gm. Thus you find shoppers eagerly choosing the best and reddest, most perfect in shape....until they go to the counter to weigh them!!! They were then shocked by the price. They thought that no one would see them abandoning the item on other shelves......Sometimes I would take those abandoned packages as I believed the previous shopper would have taken the time and effort to choose the best, thus sparing me the trouble.

 

Vegetable or fruit? A bitter gourd at the apple stand. Fruits, eggs, bread were found on top of fruit cartons

 

Goodies or drinks? Some were abandoned after weighing.

Supermarket vs Neighbourhood shops
The supermarket/hypermarket may be giving too much respect to the shoppers. It could be their fault or they are too sensitive to the demands of the shoppers that they allowed the uncivilized actions to happen. Imagine shoppers choosing or tasting the fruits before buying in the neighbourhood shops. Will those shoppers do the same? They would be charged (below picture taken from a shop in popular fruit shop in Jurong West) ..... would they be willing to pay 90 cents to test taste a lychee?? Moreover, some vendors could be hurling some choice words if you wished to choose or while you were choosing, especially on those who did it excessively. Yes, everyone of us wanted to select the best but to do it at the expense of others is not the way. Who would want goods damaged by you? There must be mutual respect.

Will you pay 90 cents to test taste a lychee??

80 cents for a mangosteen? You pay up as you taste!!!

Disclaimer:

I have no interest in any supermarket/hypermarket either as an owner, proprietor or employee. I am just your average consumer.

Orang Asli Skudai

19 July 2014
After a one day Durian Feast trip, we were brought to an Orang Asli settlement in Skudai for seafood dinner. Though hygienically it was a "D", the food was good. No surprise that it was packed with diners in a Saturday night. This village may go in the near future as development in the nearby Danga area is closing in.

 

The sunset and dusk views of the sea from the restaurant:

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fenghuang Flood

15th July 2014
Fenghuang, an ancient town in Hunan province was hit by massive flood and submerged in water due to heavy storms that hit the region. We visited this quaint old town in June and we cannot imagine how the flood water that rush along and filled Tuojiang river and submerge the stilt houses along its banks causing damages. These are some of the images from:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2694582/Ming-Dnasty-buildings-water-ancient-town-Fenghuang-swimmers-pictured-dodging-dead-body-annual-gala.html

This is the old section of Fenghuang where shops lined the two sides of cobblestone lanes, now under flood water

The stilted houses threatened by the flood water

Only the top part of the bridge left on Tuojiang River

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-28321060

People crossing the Tuojiang River

River cruises along Tuojiang River

Aerial view of Fenghuang from hilltop

Aerial view of Fenghuang

View of Fenghuang from a nearby temple. Shop houses are aplenty and some ancient architecture remained