I was just remarking to my cousin last night that I'm becoming more like her mum. I find I am enjoying having a full house: lots of people, lots of noise, different dynamics.
Several times a year, we have friends and relatives from SG drop by to visit. What's really interesting is observing myself as an introvert managing the adjustment to sharing our home with people who may be with us for as little as a week or as long as a month.
Part of me enjoys solitude and craves a private space in which to think and write.
But with the passage of the years, another side of me (the "auntie"?) has started to blossom. This alter ego actually revels in having 'new' faces in my home and the opportunity to open my home to them. I like being able to show my SG friends around the neighbourhood, introducing them to my local friends, explaining how things work around here as compared to in SG, planning meals and arranging bedlinen and personal supplies.
It's really helped me grow as a person. And it's great for the kids to meet new people and be exposed to different ways of living and doing things.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Yamaha Or Private Tuition
After Sunday's Yamaha concert, I've pretty much decided what our strategy for Beth's musical learning will be.
But first, here's a clip of how her class performance went...
When we compared the performance of her class with some of the other classes of similar level, it was clear that Beth's class was a standout. The kids were perfectly disciplined, orderly, and in sync with their teacher. All that weekly training ("eyes watching me") in watching the teacher, following cues and rehearsing for the concert paid off beautifully.
I must make special mention of Beth's teacher Rebecca Stewart. She has an absolutely natural connection with kids, and works hard to keep these 6-7 y.o.s entertained, motivated and open to learn each week. She manages to correct without coming on too hard on the little ones, and is not beneath making fun of herself when she makes the rare mistake while playing.
It's amazing just to watch her sing and play (without looking at the keyboard!) and engage the kids with a variety of humorous and dramatic facial expressions and comments.
Actually, it's exhausting. I feel tired just imagining myself doing what she does for a whole hour.
But back to the concert...
Having sat through countless practices of the piece (and being a perfectionist), I was straining to catch any mis-steps (which would be natural given performance nerves and the average age of the performers), but there were none. The performance of March of the Little Bears (which included a tricky transposition from F major to C major and back to F major) was flawless.
We were also given a glimpse of the musical possibilities post-Yamaha. This group of teens you're about to watch have completed the Yamaha course but wanted to continue, so a special class was created for them. Here they're playing the Tokyo Disneyland theme song with their teacher Keiko.
That guy in the middle who gave the countdown to each major section. Can you see how his whole body was just moving with the music, like he couldn't help himself? So cool. I must learn from him how to be less inhibited the next time I play in front of an audience.
The whole time they were playing, I felt like dancing. When the item ended four and a half minutes later, I cheered and clapped and whooped...and wished there was someone I could share my euphoria with. It was so beautiful to sit there watching these young people put their God-given talents to work for a good cause.
So. About our strategy for the next two years...
We've decided, in close consultation with the person who will be affected by the decision, that Beth will continue for another two years with Yamaha. She has an assessment coming up at the end of the year where she will play two pieces of her choice (she has already decided what those pieces will be). The assessing teacher(s) will - I believe - also test her on her oral/aural skills.
That would be the perfect time to discuss how she's doing and to hear what her teacher recommends.
Also, in term 4, I will request an interview with her school music teacher to hear her recommendations. She gets to observe Beth in a different setting every Monday, and should have something interesting and useful to share.
My own instincts tell me Beth is an above-average but not outstanding musician. She has the ability but not always the attitude to support it. Until she wants to excel for her own sake, I'm going to try and resist the urge to push her through the grades.
I know she will benefit from one-on-one tuition and that the earlier she starts, the quicker she'll catch up to her peers who are already having private lessons. But for now, she's enjoying playing in an ensemble, so I think I should, as a wise friend says, let her interest lead. We can always do both if she really wants to go further. It doesn't have to be an either/or decision.
But first, here's a clip of how her class performance went...
When we compared the performance of her class with some of the other classes of similar level, it was clear that Beth's class was a standout. The kids were perfectly disciplined, orderly, and in sync with their teacher. All that weekly training ("eyes watching me") in watching the teacher, following cues and rehearsing for the concert paid off beautifully.
I must make special mention of Beth's teacher Rebecca Stewart. She has an absolutely natural connection with kids, and works hard to keep these 6-7 y.o.s entertained, motivated and open to learn each week. She manages to correct without coming on too hard on the little ones, and is not beneath making fun of herself when she makes the rare mistake while playing.
It's amazing just to watch her sing and play (without looking at the keyboard!) and engage the kids with a variety of humorous and dramatic facial expressions and comments.
Actually, it's exhausting. I feel tired just imagining myself doing what she does for a whole hour.
But back to the concert...
Having sat through countless practices of the piece (and being a perfectionist), I was straining to catch any mis-steps (which would be natural given performance nerves and the average age of the performers), but there were none. The performance of March of the Little Bears (which included a tricky transposition from F major to C major and back to F major) was flawless.
We were also given a glimpse of the musical possibilities post-Yamaha. This group of teens you're about to watch have completed the Yamaha course but wanted to continue, so a special class was created for them. Here they're playing the Tokyo Disneyland theme song with their teacher Keiko.
That guy in the middle who gave the countdown to each major section. Can you see how his whole body was just moving with the music, like he couldn't help himself? So cool. I must learn from him how to be less inhibited the next time I play in front of an audience.
The whole time they were playing, I felt like dancing. When the item ended four and a half minutes later, I cheered and clapped and whooped...and wished there was someone I could share my euphoria with. It was so beautiful to sit there watching these young people put their God-given talents to work for a good cause.
So. About our strategy for the next two years...
We've decided, in close consultation with the person who will be affected by the decision, that Beth will continue for another two years with Yamaha. She has an assessment coming up at the end of the year where she will play two pieces of her choice (she has already decided what those pieces will be). The assessing teacher(s) will - I believe - also test her on her oral/aural skills.
That would be the perfect time to discuss how she's doing and to hear what her teacher recommends.
Also, in term 4, I will request an interview with her school music teacher to hear her recommendations. She gets to observe Beth in a different setting every Monday, and should have something interesting and useful to share.
My own instincts tell me Beth is an above-average but not outstanding musician. She has the ability but not always the attitude to support it. Until she wants to excel for her own sake, I'm going to try and resist the urge to push her through the grades.
I know she will benefit from one-on-one tuition and that the earlier she starts, the quicker she'll catch up to her peers who are already having private lessons. But for now, she's enjoying playing in an ensemble, so I think I should, as a wise friend says, let her interest lead. We can always do both if she really wants to go further. It doesn't have to be an either/or decision.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Counting Down To End Of Term 3
It's been a "happening" week.
Thu:
Our friends dropped off their pet kelpie (I think) Emma enroute to Uluru for their 3-week family holiday. Their daughter has been Beth's classmate since Prep, and our families have worked out a dog-swapping arrangement that has worked out very well each time one family has to go away.
On the topic of holidays...
One of the things we notice here is the number of families who pull their kids out of school during termtime to go on family vacations. We've heard of families take off to the snow in Aug, to the States, to Egypt...
We did it ourselves in June, when Beth "pontang" 3 days of school so we could take advantage of the mid-week discounts on airfares to the Gold Coast.
According to a Sunday Age article on this trend, there is a clause in the Education Act that penalizes parents for keeping their kids home for no good reason. And going on vacation is apparently not a good enough reason. But I don't expect the Dept to come down hard on families anytime soon. What would be the benefit?
Saturday:
I sat in on the Chinese School's AGM. Including the teachers, there were fewer than 10 present.
What was interesting for me as a parent with a child in the school was:
We spent the day in Brighton because Beth was participating in the annual Yamaha Music Concert. This year's event was held at Brighton Grammar.
Thu:
Our friends dropped off their pet kelpie (I think) Emma enroute to Uluru for their 3-week family holiday. Their daughter has been Beth's classmate since Prep, and our families have worked out a dog-swapping arrangement that has worked out very well each time one family has to go away.
On the topic of holidays...
One of the things we notice here is the number of families who pull their kids out of school during termtime to go on family vacations. We've heard of families take off to the snow in Aug, to the States, to Egypt...
We did it ourselves in June, when Beth "pontang" 3 days of school so we could take advantage of the mid-week discounts on airfares to the Gold Coast.
According to a Sunday Age article on this trend, there is a clause in the Education Act that penalizes parents for keeping their kids home for no good reason. And going on vacation is apparently not a good enough reason. But I don't expect the Dept to come down hard on families anytime soon. What would be the benefit?
Saturday:
I sat in on the Chinese School's AGM. Including the teachers, there were fewer than 10 present.
What was interesting for me as a parent with a child in the school was:
- New textbooks will be used in 2010 - and they are issued free by the Dept of Education (if I didn't mishear). Because of that, school fees will be capped at the current level. I had a quick look at the materials and they actually look quite interesting. Don't know if Beth will agree though. I think she'll miss having the English text alongside cos the new books are all in Chinese and hanyu pinyin!
- The school hopes to expand its enrolment
- The principal has been re-elected for another 2-year term. From what I could observe, the teachers support her 100% in what she has been doing. I must certainly say she displays an impressive commitment, integrity and responsibility as P. From her own verbal report, the comments of the VP as well as the written Principal's Report, I think the P - more than any other individual - has raised the school's profile and visibility within the local community. I know there are some (myself included) who shudder at the way she speaks English and even at her occasionally inaccurate Chinese pronunciation. She knows it too (the English bit anyway). Until a more linguistically able and equally responsible individual comes forward, I think we should just work with what we've got and be thankful.
We spent the day in Brighton because Beth was participating in the annual Yamaha Music Concert. This year's event was held at Brighton Grammar.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Make Over Your Loo From One Flush To Two!
City West Water has written with an "exclusive offer" that includes upgrading our loos from single flush to 4-star dual flush for "around 35% less than you'd usually pay".
The service includes:
Stylus Symphony Connector Suite A$334
Concorde Profile Connector Suite A$477
Caravelle Close Coupled Suite A$563
Am very excited cos I've been thinking of upgrading the toilets for a while now and this letter comes at a perfect time.
Will jump online to do a bit of comparison shopping and see if City West's quote is the best.
It's fantastic how the Govt takes the initiative with green projects that families can undertake affordably.
Recently, we took advantage of the Govt's offer of a rebate for insulation and had our roofing insulation replaced. The Govt paid $1600 and we paid $200.
Hubby had to climb into the roof cavity to remove the bags of existing insulation himself (*dusty exhausting work!*) before the contractor would consent to replace the insulation. Part of the eligibility criteria.
This weekend, Wyndham Council is hosting a Sustainability Expo. Households are entitled to collect two free native plants from the Council at its Princess Hwy office.
The service includes:
- removal
- replacement
- installation
Stylus Symphony Connector Suite A$334
Concorde Profile Connector Suite A$477
Caravelle Close Coupled Suite A$563
Am very excited cos I've been thinking of upgrading the toilets for a while now and this letter comes at a perfect time.
Will jump online to do a bit of comparison shopping and see if City West's quote is the best.
It's fantastic how the Govt takes the initiative with green projects that families can undertake affordably.
Recently, we took advantage of the Govt's offer of a rebate for insulation and had our roofing insulation replaced. The Govt paid $1600 and we paid $200.
Hubby had to climb into the roof cavity to remove the bags of existing insulation himself (*dusty exhausting work!*) before the contractor would consent to replace the insulation. Part of the eligibility criteria.
This weekend, Wyndham Council is hosting a Sustainability Expo. Households are entitled to collect two free native plants from the Council at its Princess Hwy office.
Friday, September 04, 2009
How To Get Rid Of Unwanted Furniture
There's eBay, garage sales, the local op shop, the tip.
I've tried them all, except the garage sale. All that organizing and pricing, balloons and signage, and strangers traipsing through your property on a Sat morning. Sounds like hard work.
Earlier this week, I called UnitingCare, an offshoot of the Uniting Church, because I'd read in the bulletin that they are happy to come to your home to collect any unwanted furniture.
This morning, two senior gentleman rang the bell. In five minutes, I'd disposed of one baby cot, one baby high chair and one stroller (which they call a pusher here).
We bought the cot off eBay when J was born, but she has never used it except to sit in and read when Beth is in there with her. 99% of the time, it doubles as a giant laundry basket.
I was worried the men might change their minds about the cot because one of the sides had a couple of cracks, caused when it fell on the floor before assembly. It doesn't affect the utility of the cot, but it's just that bit flawed aesthetically.
I needn't have worried though. The men had a look at the cracks, and took the cot anyway.
Felt so happy and light after they left, as if I'd achieved something major. The foyer is empty again, the kids' room is a bit more spacious, and now we can think about getting beds for the girls. Maybe a bunk bed.
Decluttering is good not only for the house, but for the soul too.
I've tried them all, except the garage sale. All that organizing and pricing, balloons and signage, and strangers traipsing through your property on a Sat morning. Sounds like hard work.
Earlier this week, I called UnitingCare, an offshoot of the Uniting Church, because I'd read in the bulletin that they are happy to come to your home to collect any unwanted furniture.
This morning, two senior gentleman rang the bell. In five minutes, I'd disposed of one baby cot, one baby high chair and one stroller (which they call a pusher here).
We bought the cot off eBay when J was born, but she has never used it except to sit in and read when Beth is in there with her. 99% of the time, it doubles as a giant laundry basket.
I was worried the men might change their minds about the cot because one of the sides had a couple of cracks, caused when it fell on the floor before assembly. It doesn't affect the utility of the cot, but it's just that bit flawed aesthetically.
I needn't have worried though. The men had a look at the cracks, and took the cot anyway.
Felt so happy and light after they left, as if I'd achieved something major. The foyer is empty again, the kids' room is a bit more spacious, and now we can think about getting beds for the girls. Maybe a bunk bed.
Decluttering is good not only for the house, but for the soul too.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Full On
It's one of those weeks.
Wed -
Beth started a 14-week Learn To Swim Program with the Wyndham Leisure Centre.
Against the advice of some friends, we decided to stick with Wyndham even though the swim school with the best rep among parents is Paul Sadler. PS is where Beth learns swimming in summer through her school. It has a highly trained team and a focused learning structure, so you always know how your child is progressing. However, having been to PS when Beth was in Prep, I am not overly fond of the stuffy, heavily chlorinated atmosphere. It's like being trapped in a sauna. Because they're a swim school as opposed to a sports centre, they're also very strict; it's in-and-out, no playing in the water before or after class.
Anyway, I brought Beth for her first lesson yesterday. It was also my first visit to WLC. Beth has been there a number of times with Daddy, so she was able to show me around, which made me look less 'goondu'. We were so early that she was able to get in a bit of homework (reluctantly) and 'have a little play' before the class.
I was quite relieved and grateful that her instructor, Jennifer, appears confident, calm and competent. Rather like Beth's school teacher Mrs V. There are just 4 kids to the class so I think they got a lot of one-on-one time. The class is 30 mins (something I didn't check out before enrolling, so I was surprised when she came out of the pool half an hour early), and she had another 'little play' afterwards in the big pool with the giant penguins and water features.
Makes a nice break in mid-week.
Thu -
Beth took part in the Prep to Y2 School Music Concert @ Werribee Baptist Church this afternoon. Parents and friends were invited and entry was by gold coin donation.
I was surprised and delighted to see Beth's Yamaha teacher Rebecca, who had earlier said she couldn't make it because she had a prior commitment. She brought her two little ones, Bethany and James.
It was a pleasant one hour. Some of the kids are really talented, like our pal Harrison S with his guitar rendition of Mixolydian Groove, Jerry D from Grade 1, Emmason M from Grade 2 who played with such flourish and enjoyment, Joshua J who added his own artistic touch to his Yamaha pieces, and two Grade 2 girls, Annie P and Maggie Z, who played way above what I thought 8 y.o.'s were capable of. I think they might have been AMEB exam pieces.
I later made Annie's mom's acquaintance (her name is Lily) in the carpark and she said she's always thought I couldn't speak Chinese because she hears me speak English all the time. *LOL* We had a chat about private music tuition vs. group class (Yamaha) and she thought Beth might go further quicker if she had private tuition. Her daughter's teacher is a Russian lady who specializes in teaching Chinese students, so I might check her out.
I thought Beth played quite well. I had been worried that her nerves might get to her and she might stumble, but she played flawlessly and even spoke clearly into the mike when she introduced herself and her piece.
I talked to Beth at tea time about the private lessons issue and asked what she thought about switching from Yamaha. She said, "Whatever you recommend Mom", in her reasonable, grown-up sort of way.
But she later added that she preferred being at Yamaha because it's fun and the pieces are simple. *throw up hands*
Fri -
Highlight of this week must surely be the excursion to IMAX tomorrow.
The kids are expected to be in formal winter uniform and to bring their packed lunches as usual. No canteen lunch orders allowed as they are having recess in school, going to the City and coming back to school for lunch.
Before you know it, there goes another week. Just a few more weeks and it's Term 3 hols. And in a few months, Beth starts Grade 2.
Where has the year gone??
Wed -
Beth started a 14-week Learn To Swim Program with the Wyndham Leisure Centre.
Against the advice of some friends, we decided to stick with Wyndham even though the swim school with the best rep among parents is Paul Sadler. PS is where Beth learns swimming in summer through her school. It has a highly trained team and a focused learning structure, so you always know how your child is progressing. However, having been to PS when Beth was in Prep, I am not overly fond of the stuffy, heavily chlorinated atmosphere. It's like being trapped in a sauna. Because they're a swim school as opposed to a sports centre, they're also very strict; it's in-and-out, no playing in the water before or after class.
Anyway, I brought Beth for her first lesson yesterday. It was also my first visit to WLC. Beth has been there a number of times with Daddy, so she was able to show me around, which made me look less 'goondu'. We were so early that she was able to get in a bit of homework (reluctantly) and 'have a little play' before the class.
I was quite relieved and grateful that her instructor, Jennifer, appears confident, calm and competent. Rather like Beth's school teacher Mrs V. There are just 4 kids to the class so I think they got a lot of one-on-one time. The class is 30 mins (something I didn't check out before enrolling, so I was surprised when she came out of the pool half an hour early), and she had another 'little play' afterwards in the big pool with the giant penguins and water features.
Makes a nice break in mid-week.
Thu -
Beth took part in the Prep to Y2 School Music Concert @ Werribee Baptist Church this afternoon. Parents and friends were invited and entry was by gold coin donation.
I was surprised and delighted to see Beth's Yamaha teacher Rebecca, who had earlier said she couldn't make it because she had a prior commitment. She brought her two little ones, Bethany and James.
It was a pleasant one hour. Some of the kids are really talented, like our pal Harrison S with his guitar rendition of Mixolydian Groove, Jerry D from Grade 1, Emmason M from Grade 2 who played with such flourish and enjoyment, Joshua J who added his own artistic touch to his Yamaha pieces, and two Grade 2 girls, Annie P and Maggie Z, who played way above what I thought 8 y.o.'s were capable of. I think they might have been AMEB exam pieces.
I later made Annie's mom's acquaintance (her name is Lily) in the carpark and she said she's always thought I couldn't speak Chinese because she hears me speak English all the time. *LOL* We had a chat about private music tuition vs. group class (Yamaha) and she thought Beth might go further quicker if she had private tuition. Her daughter's teacher is a Russian lady who specializes in teaching Chinese students, so I might check her out.
I thought Beth played quite well. I had been worried that her nerves might get to her and she might stumble, but she played flawlessly and even spoke clearly into the mike when she introduced herself and her piece.
I talked to Beth at tea time about the private lessons issue and asked what she thought about switching from Yamaha. She said, "Whatever you recommend Mom", in her reasonable, grown-up sort of way.
But she later added that she preferred being at Yamaha because it's fun and the pieces are simple. *throw up hands*
Fri -
Highlight of this week must surely be the excursion to IMAX tomorrow.
The kids are expected to be in formal winter uniform and to bring their packed lunches as usual. No canteen lunch orders allowed as they are having recess in school, going to the City and coming back to school for lunch.
Before you know it, there goes another week. Just a few more weeks and it's Term 3 hols. And in a few months, Beth starts Grade 2.
Where has the year gone??
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