Aww, semester 2.1 results are not out yet. To think that I spent the whole day and evening waiting in anticipation over it.
It's actually coming out tomorrow officially, but for the past 2 semesters, the results always came out one day in advance.
Tomorrow then, it will be the day of reckoning. If I get 3 As out of 5 subjects, I'll treat myself with something I've been eyeing for. For the Slytherin tie, I guess I'll wait till next semester's results.
It's been some lazy afternoons for me. Gosh, work starts again tomorrow afternoon. Oh, what joy. I can't last without an afternoon nap.
My mother went for an eye operation on Tuesday. This means that she can't work or cook or do anything in general. Cooking dinners will be passed to me.
It's kind of alright. I can cook some simple dishes on my own. It's just that dinner will start later than usual.
Went to the library to try my luck in getting the books I want, namely books by Lynn Kurland. I managed to get one. Oh well, better than none. I've been so angry at Singapore's libraries for a long time.
Found out that Cindy Miles has released a new novel called Thirteen Chances! Arghh! I want it!
I thought that since it's a newly released novel, it should be available at Popular. But no, I should have known it a long time ago. I shall look for it at Borders or Kino next week. Giving them more time to import the novel in.
Wanted to buy this book called Men in White. It's about the PAP rise to power in Singapore and all about the leaders, especially Mr Lee Kuan Yew. The assistant told me that only today it will be sold as they are catering for the pre-orders first.
So, I went back today to get the book. Managed to get it and it's my favourite hard-cover. It cost $36 plus, after a 15% discount. Will start it soon, when I finished my novel.
Did a gradient nail design for myself today. After looking through some nail designs tutorials, I tried it out. I used a white base with purple, glitter nail varnish. It looks pretty good to me. Soon, I'll get my green glitter nail polish and do a Slytherin design.
Am ill again! Why?! Is it me or the weather?
I'm aching all over, blocked/runny nose, sore throat (again!). All that is missing is Fever. I'm feeling really pathetic now. *Sighs*
Hopefully, I'll be better tomorrow...
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Working for the first time
This came 1 week too late. I'm either too busy or have no mood to write anything.
On Thursday, 3rd of September. I, started working for the first time in my 18 years life.
I work at Kumon, a Japanese learning centre in which they use this "out-of the norm" method of teaching. Students will learn according to their pace and work on worksheets that are not based on school stuff.
I was once a student and both of my brothers are currently there so I think this is what it easier for me to enter as a marker.
I didn't even have to go for an interview. I expressed interest in the job and my brother helped me to ask the instructor-in-charge. I was half joking when I told my family this. I didn't realise my brother would really go and approach her. Thanks anyway!
I was told to speak with her informally and Voila!, I got the job.
On the first day, I was told to be there at 3pm, which the centre is not open yet. Another marker taught me the required stuff to mark the Maths worksheets first. Boy, was it a boring, repetitive task! By 4pm, I was squirming in my seat, desperate to get out.
Perfecting the art of drawing "100" has never been so tough! By a few hours, my back and neck area are aching like no tomorrow. Imagine confine to the chair, with not much space to move around, marking Maths worksheets and more worksheets with no breaks except for dinner.
This kind of job is not for me. I can't sit still for hours doing the same, old work.
7 hours past by, and thus my first day at work ended. I've never been so glad to get out and go home. I can't imagine doing this for months.
Luckily, Kumon only operates 4 days a week; Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I'm now currently working the 4 days until I know of my time-table for the next semester. The, I'll work for the days I'm most free.
I doubt that I'll be that free when semester 2.2 comes, because I'll taking 1 more subject than others. Oh well, we'll see. For certain, I'll be there on Saturdays.
Friday came and I dreaded going there. The centre is supposed to be open only at 5pm and closes at 9pm. But of course, things are never black-and-white. Students start arriving at 4pm and go home at only 10pm plus. Thus, we're stuck there until most students go home.
Marked more worksheets and my "100s" are more artistic.
The marking process goes something like this: Compare answers on the worksheet with the answer booklet, if all correct on both sides of a page, give a big "100", if not, underline the wrong answer, write your initials and the time taken to complete by the student on the worksheet, record the details on the student's record book (Eg, my initials, time taken, and the number of wrong answers or bad handwriting). Repeat the process. Oh, and you've got to be fast and steady.
One thing Kumon can improve is that they should use computer-based systems to store the students' data. Excel will be very useful here. How medieval, to record things by hands! Not only does it waste time, it also waste human resources. But, who am I to judge if they can provide jobs, right?
With answer booklets provided, things are much easier. But, one peeve, they expect the markers to know basic counting skills and so, no answer booklet is provided for 4A worksheets; the counting of dots.
Oh gods, I hate marking 4A worksheets! I'm going to groan silently if I saw one 4A worksheet again. The dots makes me dizzy and as a marker, I'm not supposed to mark wrongly. One or two questions on the number of dots are fine, but the whole 10 pages of worksheets are dots!
I had the chance of witnessing something funny on Friday afternoon. This little boy who I think is primary 2 came up to another marker and declined to do his assigned classwork. He began ranting when the marker told him to do it. "I hate Kumon!" "Kumon is stupid!" "What golden rules? Black rules more likely!" "I'm in primary 2 yet they expect me to primary 4 stuff!" "I hate this instructor!" "I failed the given exam and yet she still let me proceed to the next level."
Haha, I almost laugh at at his antics. I'm trying to wipe the smile off my face then. These are something I heard all the time at home. At that time, I was thinking, "Hmm, you'll make a fine pair with my brother. Together, you two will be a force."
My mother told me what will I do if that boy approach me. Well, for one, I don't anyone will approach me because I'm new there. And, to be cheeky, I'll edged him on and said "Oh yes, my brothers thought so too!"
Seriously speaking, I think Kumon is a waste of time and money. True, theoretically, it's supposed to be better as it caters to a student's pace in learning. But, in the real world, nothing is based on theory.
If you have trouble doing your worksheets, you'll be stuck there till you improve. If you get an answer wrong, they expect you to know your mistake without explaining anything to you. How are you going to learn if you don't even understand where is wrong? As a former student there, I understand their plight and difficulties.
I remembered the times when I got so frustrated at the endless fraction sums I had to do that I took forever to complete and doodles aimlessly on the worksheets. In the end, using PSLE as a reason, I quited Kumon.
Kumon is only suitable for young kids before they enter primary school, I felt. By the time they enter primary school, they will be able to count without using fingers and toes and their English reading skills will be quite good. However, after that, tuition for school topics makes more sense because it will help them in their actual school work.
Working for 3 days there has made me seen my fair share of things. Bad handwriting, wrong answers for the whole worksheets, etc. I did a double turn when I marked one worksheet that has all the wrong answers and that person's level is quite high. I wonder what was he/she doing.
I'll be getting a monthly pay (Oh no!), and the rate is $5 per hour. It's quite little actually. I have thought the rate will be like $6 or $7. It's the same rate as McDonald's!
I've to admit though, it's a cushy job, literally. I get to sit until my butt hurts. All I have to do is to mark worksheets. I don't have to report to anyone of import in a sense. $5 per hour is quite good, according to my parents. I have to contribute 14% to my CPF account too! How much can I contribute anyway?
I've been thinking, the 'probation' period is 3 months, which semester 2.2 would have started. I assume I'd work till 3 months is over, since that's the requirements. And if I'm not coping well, I'll have to end the job when 3 months is up before my GPA falls. Besides, year 3 is going to be a blast, like a rocket. I won't have time to do things like this.
Work. What is work? It's nothing but a means of earning cash. Putting in 100% is mandatory, this I understand and will do. 101%? No thanks. Working is getting the experience you need to climb up the ladder and earn more cash to acquire the things you need and want. Working is about surviving. Nothing more, nothing less.
Is my attitude right for someone so young and barely out in the workforce? I don't know for sure. My thinking is, I'll do my best in what is required of me but to put in more, I will not. Unless, I'm the one who is the boss of the business.
Adieu for now.
On Thursday, 3rd of September. I, started working for the first time in my 18 years life.
I work at Kumon, a Japanese learning centre in which they use this "out-of the norm" method of teaching. Students will learn according to their pace and work on worksheets that are not based on school stuff.
I was once a student and both of my brothers are currently there so I think this is what it easier for me to enter as a marker.
I didn't even have to go for an interview. I expressed interest in the job and my brother helped me to ask the instructor-in-charge. I was half joking when I told my family this. I didn't realise my brother would really go and approach her. Thanks anyway!
I was told to speak with her informally and Voila!, I got the job.
On the first day, I was told to be there at 3pm, which the centre is not open yet. Another marker taught me the required stuff to mark the Maths worksheets first. Boy, was it a boring, repetitive task! By 4pm, I was squirming in my seat, desperate to get out.
Perfecting the art of drawing "100" has never been so tough! By a few hours, my back and neck area are aching like no tomorrow. Imagine confine to the chair, with not much space to move around, marking Maths worksheets and more worksheets with no breaks except for dinner.
This kind of job is not for me. I can't sit still for hours doing the same, old work.
7 hours past by, and thus my first day at work ended. I've never been so glad to get out and go home. I can't imagine doing this for months.
Luckily, Kumon only operates 4 days a week; Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I'm now currently working the 4 days until I know of my time-table for the next semester. The, I'll work for the days I'm most free.
I doubt that I'll be that free when semester 2.2 comes, because I'll taking 1 more subject than others. Oh well, we'll see. For certain, I'll be there on Saturdays.
Friday came and I dreaded going there. The centre is supposed to be open only at 5pm and closes at 9pm. But of course, things are never black-and-white. Students start arriving at 4pm and go home at only 10pm plus. Thus, we're stuck there until most students go home.
Marked more worksheets and my "100s" are more artistic.
The marking process goes something like this: Compare answers on the worksheet with the answer booklet, if all correct on both sides of a page, give a big "100", if not, underline the wrong answer, write your initials and the time taken to complete by the student on the worksheet, record the details on the student's record book (Eg, my initials, time taken, and the number of wrong answers or bad handwriting). Repeat the process. Oh, and you've got to be fast and steady.
One thing Kumon can improve is that they should use computer-based systems to store the students' data. Excel will be very useful here. How medieval, to record things by hands! Not only does it waste time, it also waste human resources. But, who am I to judge if they can provide jobs, right?
With answer booklets provided, things are much easier. But, one peeve, they expect the markers to know basic counting skills and so, no answer booklet is provided for 4A worksheets; the counting of dots.
Oh gods, I hate marking 4A worksheets! I'm going to groan silently if I saw one 4A worksheet again. The dots makes me dizzy and as a marker, I'm not supposed to mark wrongly. One or two questions on the number of dots are fine, but the whole 10 pages of worksheets are dots!
I had the chance of witnessing something funny on Friday afternoon. This little boy who I think is primary 2 came up to another marker and declined to do his assigned classwork. He began ranting when the marker told him to do it. "I hate Kumon!" "Kumon is stupid!" "What golden rules? Black rules more likely!" "I'm in primary 2 yet they expect me to primary 4 stuff!" "I hate this instructor!" "I failed the given exam and yet she still let me proceed to the next level."
Haha, I almost laugh at at his antics. I'm trying to wipe the smile off my face then. These are something I heard all the time at home. At that time, I was thinking, "Hmm, you'll make a fine pair with my brother. Together, you two will be a force."
My mother told me what will I do if that boy approach me. Well, for one, I don't anyone will approach me because I'm new there. And, to be cheeky, I'll edged him on and said "Oh yes, my brothers thought so too!"
Seriously speaking, I think Kumon is a waste of time and money. True, theoretically, it's supposed to be better as it caters to a student's pace in learning. But, in the real world, nothing is based on theory.
If you have trouble doing your worksheets, you'll be stuck there till you improve. If you get an answer wrong, they expect you to know your mistake without explaining anything to you. How are you going to learn if you don't even understand where is wrong? As a former student there, I understand their plight and difficulties.
I remembered the times when I got so frustrated at the endless fraction sums I had to do that I took forever to complete and doodles aimlessly on the worksheets. In the end, using PSLE as a reason, I quited Kumon.
Kumon is only suitable for young kids before they enter primary school, I felt. By the time they enter primary school, they will be able to count without using fingers and toes and their English reading skills will be quite good. However, after that, tuition for school topics makes more sense because it will help them in their actual school work.
Working for 3 days there has made me seen my fair share of things. Bad handwriting, wrong answers for the whole worksheets, etc. I did a double turn when I marked one worksheet that has all the wrong answers and that person's level is quite high. I wonder what was he/she doing.
I'll be getting a monthly pay (Oh no!), and the rate is $5 per hour. It's quite little actually. I have thought the rate will be like $6 or $7. It's the same rate as McDonald's!
I've to admit though, it's a cushy job, literally. I get to sit until my butt hurts. All I have to do is to mark worksheets. I don't have to report to anyone of import in a sense. $5 per hour is quite good, according to my parents. I have to contribute 14% to my CPF account too! How much can I contribute anyway?
I've been thinking, the 'probation' period is 3 months, which semester 2.2 would have started. I assume I'd work till 3 months is over, since that's the requirements. And if I'm not coping well, I'll have to end the job when 3 months is up before my GPA falls. Besides, year 3 is going to be a blast, like a rocket. I won't have time to do things like this.
Work. What is work? It's nothing but a means of earning cash. Putting in 100% is mandatory, this I understand and will do. 101%? No thanks. Working is getting the experience you need to climb up the ladder and earn more cash to acquire the things you need and want. Working is about surviving. Nothing more, nothing less.
Is my attitude right for someone so young and barely out in the workforce? I don't know for sure. My thinking is, I'll do my best in what is required of me but to put in more, I will not. Unless, I'm the one who is the boss of the business.
Adieu for now.
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