Kay Kay Promoted to Green Belt

Date:  May 19, 2015

Congratulations to my younger son Kay Kay and Justin being promoted to green belt this week!

For the kids, it is important to learn Taekwondo.

1.  Get the first taste of “grading”.  So, when they go into P2, they will know what is “test”, “quiz” and “exam” all about.  It is about study something over and over again, trying to understand why we need to study, and then, every 3 months has a test or grading.  So, you need to work hard and practice so that “Practice makes perfect”.  This are a few little concepts that I injected into this TKD and tell both my sons.

2.  Learning how to defence yourself physically.  This is very important.  When you see bad guys, and they do something to you, you need to learn how to think and defence.

3.  Learn to respect others.  Respect the teacher.  Respect the head master.  Respect the training hall.

4.  Learn to control emotion.  Hurt in future will come in either physical form or non-physical form (i.e. cyber bully).  The key thing to learn at this age is, do not be so emotional about things.  Learn how to control it.  Angry will bring you to the dark side.  (have to learn together with Star Wars Force teaching).  Well, the idea is simple.  TKD is for fitness.  When got bully by someone else, you can defence yourself.  But if you use TKD to bully others, their legs will sure be broken by me.  And that is all they need to learn.  hahaha

It might be tough for Kay initially to pick up TKD.  But since he every day see his brother do it, he also wanted to request for it.  And the first few months is quite hard to tune him into this grading mode.  But later he figure it all out.

And we are very proud of both the kids.  Well done Kay Kay and Justin!

Of course happy face.  hahaha

Here is the change belt ceremony.

Light Reading

While waiting somewhat impatiently for my system to get back up to speed Ive been following more closely some of the Blogs and info out there on the Web.

Sylvia Bernsteins Page as I am sure any read knows runs a super discussion board site located at aquaponicgardening.ning.com. And one of the more important posting in Sylvias site is http://aquaponicgardening.ning.com/profiles/blogs/basic-aquaponics-system-design?xg_source=activity

She has recently followed this up with a Business site
The Aquaponic Source which I am sure will do well. Wishing her good luck.
In all this reading it is obvious that one of the great things about Aquaponics is its versatility. You can make what you want in your dreams as a system come true. Well almost. It is up to you to make a system that works and for you to enjoy. This is a big difference to building something commercial. Economies of scale always come into play as do far more sophisticated systems and better control. Most backyard type systems seem to have a fair amount of tolerance built in but when going commercial these tolerances are cut right down for efficiency, with the over riding need to make a profit. Not complaining or criticizing. Just an observation which wanted to get down on paper. For now Im keeping to my simple backyard system. Posting again in next few days on my revived system.

Recording of Reading Books

Date:  Apr 26, 2015

I would love that my kids are good in their Chinese Mandarin.

That is why you can see that I have been doing a lot a lot of special projects and experiment on Jay Jay.

Previous Posts on Learning Chinese Mandarin….

http://miniliew.blogspot.sg/2014/10/learning-chinese.html

http://miniliew.blogspot.sg/2015/01/flash-card-still-best-method.html

http://miniliew.blogspot.sg/2015/04/copy-diary.html

http://miniliew.blogspot.sg/2015/03/learning-chinese-thru-paper-cutting.html

One thing I found it very useful is to make use of the flash card.  The old fashion way.  

Every day, if it is not raining, I would walk about 4KM with him after dinner, and I will bring out the flash cards to ask him to remember the Chinese characters and how to write it.

Jay Jay has changed a new home tutor for his Chinese tuition.  The previous one has to go back to school and work and therefore, cannot have time to teach Jay Jay.

So, I went to Ace Tutor and get him another home tutor.

This home tutor is somewhat unique.  He does not wants Jay to do any assessment book or test paper.  The first few class is just asking him to read the text book.  And the way how he does it, is to record down his own voice and the “correct” pronunciation of reading the text for Jay and he asked Jay to listen to it every day.

So, after 2 weeks, I can see that Jay is more comfortable in his text book chinese characters, etc.  

Jay has a Chinese Oral test coming soon.  So, I decided to record some of the exercise passage and ask him to listen and learn the words and how to read passage.

I used this book.

It is actually a recommendation supplementary book from the previous tutor.

It is suitable for P3 and P4.

Inside the book, there are about 15 passage to read.

So, I am asking Jay to first read once the paragraph.  circle the words that he does not know.

And then, write down the Han Yu Pin Yin on those words.

Then, I will read it and record it using his iPhone.

 

Here is the sample audio files.  Click it (via Google Share).

AUDIO FILE IS HERE…  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_2LIa_dWu8scVBJVnNEeE1JTUU/view?usp=sharing

 

I am asking him to listen to this few times a day.  And after a few times of practice, I can see quite a significant improvement on his Chinese speaking and he knows more Chinese words.

And the tutor Mr. Chung is correct.  There is not much grammar for Chinese.  The key thing is to be able to know more Chinese characters and words and know how and where to use them. 

So, I am asking Jay to read more and more paragraph by listening to how I would read it.

I think this method is actually quite good and it builds on the basis that the more you read the more you will get familiar with the text paragraphs and soon or later, you will know how to write it.

Jay felt that it is quite useful too.  And he himself also found that it helps in correcting some of his pronunciations too.

MOE’s ?? website also have some reading passage.  Which we found it useful too. (Need Flash).

http://xuele.moe.edu.sg/xuele/slot/u107/huanlehuoban/MOE_web/main.html#

Apple Watch Apple Store

Date:  May 23, 2015

I consider myself an Apple fan boy.

But believe or not… last week was the first time I ever stepped into an Apple store.

Apple Store @ Chicago Michigan Ave.

The main topic is Apple Watch today.

Apple sells their Apple Watch like a normal Swiss Watch Store selling to their customer.

When you walk into the store.  You book an appointment.  

The next available Apple staff with come to you and bring you to a special table where you can try it on.

The customer experience is fantastic.

I admit I read a lot of reviews lately.

I initially was thinking not to buy it.

The reason is simple.  

I am using my Fitbit Charge HR.  I am happy with it.  Light weight, long lasting battery power.

My Pebble Time is also on its way.  Also long lasting battery power with Color E-Ink screen.

So, why do I need the Apple Watch?

I have been telling myself that over and over and over again.

But, after you stepped into the Apple Store, experience the watch yourself.  

Talking to the nice Apple Staff there.

It is just like magic.

It fit nicely on my wrist.

Initially I think the strap is crap.  But once I put it on my hand.  Magically I fell in love with it.

And the taptic engine was fantastic.  When you hear the heartbeat or the notification sound.  Nice!

At first, when I saw it on the website, magazine, I thought it is too big or bulky.

Well, you have to put it on to your wrist then you can feel the weight is not that heavy at all.

My Tissot is even more heavier than Apple Watch.

Battery life of 1 day, its OK.

It looks so smart wear it on my colleague’s wrist too.  hahaha

This strap is amazing.  It can be tight, and it can be loosen.  And the magnetic just fit nicely.

Of course, I cannot effort this.  > US$10K.

OK.  After I went into the shop.  

After I experience the customer service.

After I put a few Apple Watch on my wrist.

It is almost instantly that I have decided I want it!

And my friend is ordering one for me from Hong Kong.

Apple Watch, see you in 6 weeks time for the unboxing.  :)