I still like to browse through times of India....once in a few months....especially when I think of home....back in India....If I dont get anyone online to chat with I always like to catch up on news...
here are some interesting facts....that I found...in the newspaper...
IIMs have collected a whopping Rs 25 crore by way of selling CAT 2007 bulletins
Cost of CAT bulletin: Rs 1,100
Applications sold: 2.3 lakh
No. of seats in all six IIMs: 1,500
IIMS stand for the top management institutes...
You stand a less than 1/2% chance to enter one of these colleges......
I often tell fellow mothers I meet...I want my children to be competitive...its important....they dont see enough of it outside India....so I thought its good to remember this statistic....because it is only going to get tougher as years go by..
Another interesting statistics I found was that India has 369 universities.. and over 18000 colleges...that vye for student attention....
Monday, October 29, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
Mama Moments - Achievement or Despair
My daughter Tanya was introduced to her first swimming class when she was little over 4...in Bangalore....With all excitement and enthu ....we got up one morning...and I had a child who refused to swim....and cry...well to make the story short after about 4 classes I gave up,,more out of circumstances...that needed more attention.....
Then in March 2005 she (age 5 years 3 months) on her own told me I want to learn swimming ( the motivation being when she had kids want to have a play date at the swimming pool I would restrict her to baby pool ...)..so I found her a new lady teacher started her classes when she had her annual break... she took classes almost every other day ... for about 2 weeks and I could see her being highly motivated... to try and swim...
and then she continued her 45 minute class once a week....for almost a year....
The only notable achievement so to say she could do Breast stroke quite well...
After a year I prompted the teacher we need to move on....and she continued to learn Back stroke and her teacher kept telling me she says she gets a head ache when she does free style...so Tanya just didnt learn it....but she was very comfortable with water and it meant a even in a 2 metre deep pool.
For this I am to date grateful to her coach...- Lay Peng....
Then in Taipei ...I just found one set of classes....and they were grouped and free style being most important....she was taken only at level 2. nothing much came of the ten sessions...then there was some notice I received and as enthusuastic I can get ,I took her to do try outs - but the moment I mentioned she does not know free style...I was turned down ..not even given a chance to try .but I didnt give up...
The next time a tryout was announced for school teams ...I ran after school changed her to her swim suit....and had to leave her with the leading coach who monitors tryouts...to attend to Riona....
when I am back in few minutes...I see my daughter..doing laps at the tryout coach's instructions....he would just walk down the pool deck...and say freestyle , change...then breast stroke,, then back stroke.....and I saw her persisting and trying...knowing her weakeness in free style..I could see her switching strokes when she is done about 20 mts...but she did it....and at the end of it I was told ...ok she can join the "Baracudas Team" - next Semester....and we would improve all her strokes...
I was so excited and happy....and yet so nervous....I knew most others were great swimmers and she just managed to get selected...
So for the last 2 months she has been getting group trainings 2 times a week from the school coaches....they do about 10 laps a session at the minimum....she participated in a couple of meets more to establish her own timings....and as expected she still tries to concentrate only on breast stroke and back stroke....
She also told me in summer holidays can you get someone to teach me Butterfly stroke..
So I got her 4 half hour sessions and I believe she picked up the basics...
Then there was annual championships at the American Club...Here was an opportunity to test her competitive spirit I thought...
She was allowed to register for 5 individual events....
So I chose along with her chose 25mts - ( free style,back stroke,breast stroke,butterfly.)and 50 mts in breast stroke..which by far is her strongest..
Well the competition was tough and every event had heats and they would select four finalists...
She tried her best...in all heats....to be selected for two finals...
as expected in Breast stroke....
The timings of the four finalists were displayed....and it was all too obvious that she had the worst timings and a good 5 secs to catch up for even a third place...
and as the competition took place...I saw a mature 7 year old...with full knowledge she is swimming against much better swimmers put in her best to finish 3rd in both competitions to win 2 well deserving bronze medals....
needless to say I felt proud and a sense of achievement and most important she was least affected by her performance.(several kids were upset)...she went there and did her best....I think I would have been more upset if she had failed to win any medals....infact I saw her even trying to comfort the 4th place winner....thats what I thought was remarkable and display of true sportsmanship....
So we went home jubilant as we can of our daughter's achievement...for the day....we kept telling her you put up a good show and did a "GREAT JOB"...
And Next day was Riona's day where they had events for 5-6 year olds...she had just turned 5 less than 2 months ago and been introduced to swimming lessons formally last Summer....(July 2007)
She had only one race 25 mts kick board....all set and I tried every trick to motivate her.....and my expectation was she should just do a lap....time didnt matter at all.....
well ....on your mark .get set....GO....
Thats it I have a child who turns back with her kickboard clinging to me..."I dont want to swim" and lo...I was let down so much and wondering what went wrong...what could we have done better...And I know I have all the reasoning and logic she is still young....but what baffles me the spirit to try....well I guess its part of mother hood ...moments of achievement and despair....so we will wait for another opportunity,,,,.....for her to try again...and never give up.....
I hope this note inspires Moms who want their kids to swim....and also it was to acknowledge LAY PENG - her coach in Singapore for making Tanya love water and swimming....also her Father who tries to compete with her breast stroke doing free style....and also it will give me inspiration and persistence needed in months to come to get Riona to reach these levels....
Then in March 2005 she (age 5 years 3 months) on her own told me I want to learn swimming ( the motivation being when she had kids want to have a play date at the swimming pool I would restrict her to baby pool ...)..so I found her a new lady teacher started her classes when she had her annual break... she took classes almost every other day ... for about 2 weeks and I could see her being highly motivated... to try and swim...
and then she continued her 45 minute class once a week....for almost a year....
The only notable achievement so to say she could do Breast stroke quite well...
After a year I prompted the teacher we need to move on....and she continued to learn Back stroke and her teacher kept telling me she says she gets a head ache when she does free style...so Tanya just didnt learn it....but she was very comfortable with water and it meant a even in a 2 metre deep pool.
For this I am to date grateful to her coach...- Lay Peng....
Then in Taipei ...I just found one set of classes....and they were grouped and free style being most important....she was taken only at level 2. nothing much came of the ten sessions...then there was some notice I received and as enthusuastic I can get ,I took her to do try outs - but the moment I mentioned she does not know free style...I was turned down ..not even given a chance to try .but I didnt give up...
The next time a tryout was announced for school teams ...I ran after school changed her to her swim suit....and had to leave her with the leading coach who monitors tryouts...to attend to Riona....
when I am back in few minutes...I see my daughter..doing laps at the tryout coach's instructions....he would just walk down the pool deck...and say freestyle , change...then breast stroke,, then back stroke.....and I saw her persisting and trying...knowing her weakeness in free style..I could see her switching strokes when she is done about 20 mts...but she did it....and at the end of it I was told ...ok she can join the "Baracudas Team" - next Semester....and we would improve all her strokes...
I was so excited and happy....and yet so nervous....I knew most others were great swimmers and she just managed to get selected...
So for the last 2 months she has been getting group trainings 2 times a week from the school coaches....they do about 10 laps a session at the minimum....she participated in a couple of meets more to establish her own timings....and as expected she still tries to concentrate only on breast stroke and back stroke....
She also told me in summer holidays can you get someone to teach me Butterfly stroke..
So I got her 4 half hour sessions and I believe she picked up the basics...
Then there was annual championships at the American Club...Here was an opportunity to test her competitive spirit I thought...
She was allowed to register for 5 individual events....
So I chose along with her chose 25mts - ( free style,back stroke,breast stroke,butterfly.)and 50 mts in breast stroke..which by far is her strongest..
Well the competition was tough and every event had heats and they would select four finalists...
She tried her best...in all heats....to be selected for two finals...
as expected in Breast stroke....
The timings of the four finalists were displayed....and it was all too obvious that she had the worst timings and a good 5 secs to catch up for even a third place...
and as the competition took place...I saw a mature 7 year old...with full knowledge she is swimming against much better swimmers put in her best to finish 3rd in both competitions to win 2 well deserving bronze medals....
needless to say I felt proud and a sense of achievement and most important she was least affected by her performance.(several kids were upset)...she went there and did her best....I think I would have been more upset if she had failed to win any medals....infact I saw her even trying to comfort the 4th place winner....thats what I thought was remarkable and display of true sportsmanship....
So we went home jubilant as we can of our daughter's achievement...for the day....we kept telling her you put up a good show and did a "GREAT JOB"...
And Next day was Riona's day where they had events for 5-6 year olds...she had just turned 5 less than 2 months ago and been introduced to swimming lessons formally last Summer....(July 2007)
She had only one race 25 mts kick board....all set and I tried every trick to motivate her.....and my expectation was she should just do a lap....time didnt matter at all.....
well ....on your mark .get set....GO....
Thats it I have a child who turns back with her kickboard clinging to me..."I dont want to swim" and lo...I was let down so much and wondering what went wrong...what could we have done better...And I know I have all the reasoning and logic she is still young....but what baffles me the spirit to try....well I guess its part of mother hood ...moments of achievement and despair....so we will wait for another opportunity,,,,.....for her to try again...and never give up.....
I hope this note inspires Moms who want their kids to swim....and also it was to acknowledge LAY PENG - her coach in Singapore for making Tanya love water and swimming....also her Father who tries to compete with her breast stroke doing free style....and also it will give me inspiration and persistence needed in months to come to get Riona to reach these levels....
Taipei Living
Thursday started off with attending a Language evaluation meeting for Lower school students....The only take away I had I need to spent a lot more time on their English Grammar /Comprehension skills...and I need to research to do what is an ERB score....
Having rushed to Costco to pick up the weekly groceries...I also had to rush back to deliver Basmati rice to another Indian friend...
and back to school....to pick up Riona and take her to her Kumon class...
Tanya had her swimming session and went on with her jazz dance session after which we returned home......
Friday was community day for 3rd Graders so another day a school...I try to be at home as much on Fridays...
It amazes me the parent representation these events have...
The children had a great time....
...one day to relax...well evening had to pick up Riona from her music class and we went for the High School Musical Play...:"Once upon a Mattress". It was a fabulous show ...put up by high school students....Tanya sat through the whole show and enjoyed it... We went for it to expose her to some Theatre and drama as its over a year since she discontinued her favorite drama classes.
Having rushed to Costco to pick up the weekly groceries...I also had to rush back to deliver Basmati rice to another Indian friend...
and back to school....to pick up Riona and take her to her Kumon class...
Tanya had her swimming session and went on with her jazz dance session after which we returned home......
Friday was community day for 3rd Graders so another day a school...I try to be at home as much on Fridays...
It amazes me the parent representation these events have...
The children had a great time....
...one day to relax...well evening had to pick up Riona from her music class and we went for the High School Musical Play...:"Once upon a Mattress". It was a fabulous show ...put up by high school students....Tanya sat through the whole show and enjoyed it... We went for it to expose her to some Theatre and drama as its over a year since she discontinued her favorite drama classes.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Taipei Living
Another day in Taipei
My attempt is to do this daily log atleast for 5 days and must tell you its hard!
Wednesday
After dropping Sedj I needed to attend a meeting at a school - South of Taipei...Neither have I been to the school before nor to the South...so I started the day's adventure rather cautiously...and decided to take MRT ( Mass Rapid Transport) System.
After parking in a familiar location I decided to take a 500 mt walk to the station...on the way I noticed and took a few pictures of bicycles get parked on top of each other and how the electric scooters have been provided charging facility.Its a new sight for me...to see bicycles stacked on top of each other..
Bicycle Parking
A typical MRT entrance and a map
Electric Scooter Charging
I got into the already packed train and decided to venture to my destination.
For those coming to Bethany via subway, the Tai Power stop, Exit #1 will bring you almost to our doorstep. It is just a matter of about a five minute walk to reach the campus.
I had the following instruction sheet
====================================
When exiting the subway stop walk south-west (down and to-the-left on the map) on Hsin Hai until the road ends. Cross Hsin Hai and walk south-east on Ting Chou (down and to-the-right on the map). Bethany Campus is the large orange tiled building about 100 yards down the road on the left, across from a large hospital.
Having come out of Exit 1 I am wondering what is south-west- (lesson to be learnt may be should carry a compass) I am looking for Hsin Hai and the only road I could assosciate with is Xin Xai.. well that diffferent can be road names when they get translated to English from Chines.Having lived in Taipei now I am getting used to and guessing the assosciated nomenclature.
After asking couple of pedestrians with the written Chinese address 25 minutes before the scheduled start time of the meeting....the security guard who spoke only Chinese...was convinced I was at the wrong place and kept sending people fromthe office who spoke little English to make sure I needed to wait there till I met one of the actual members came in....
I met a group of great commited parents ..all volunteering.....and most of them spoke fluent Chinese though they were not from Taipei....I for the first time met an Indian lady who said is Translator...who spoke fluent Chinese...
Well after the meeting I caught the MRT and headed to TES (Taipei Eurpoean School ) for their Grand opeing...I hardly saw any program but managed to meet a few parents at lunch....and actually got some info on skating classes for kids...see sometimes you get what you need just being around....
Came home to catch up on my email...again to run to pick up Tanya from voice training class and headed home....
Evenings are hectic at home.....both kids have piano classes and a long break before their Chinese session.
This was one of those days Tanya did not sit through the class saying her legs are under pain....because of a PE activity of running 2 rounds in the field...
well we took the time to discuss what can be achieved in Chinese ove next 6 months...
So yet another hectic day gone by...
My attempt is to do this daily log atleast for 5 days and must tell you its hard!
Wednesday
After dropping Sedj I needed to attend a meeting at a school - South of Taipei...Neither have I been to the school before nor to the South...so I started the day's adventure rather cautiously...and decided to take MRT ( Mass Rapid Transport) System.
After parking in a familiar location I decided to take a 500 mt walk to the station...on the way I noticed and took a few pictures of bicycles get parked on top of each other and how the electric scooters have been provided charging facility.Its a new sight for me...to see bicycles stacked on top of each other..
Bicycle Parking
A typical MRT entrance and a map
Electric Scooter Charging
I got into the already packed train and decided to venture to my destination.
For those coming to Bethany via subway, the Tai Power stop, Exit #1 will bring you almost to our doorstep. It is just a matter of about a five minute walk to reach the campus.
I had the following instruction sheet
====================================
When exiting the subway stop walk south-west (down and to-the-left on the map) on Hsin Hai until the road ends. Cross Hsin Hai and walk south-east on Ting Chou (down and to-the-right on the map). Bethany Campus is the large orange tiled building about 100 yards down the road on the left, across from a large hospital.
Having come out of Exit 1 I am wondering what is south-west- (lesson to be learnt may be should carry a compass) I am looking for Hsin Hai and the only road I could assosciate with is Xin Xai.. well that diffferent can be road names when they get translated to English from Chines.Having lived in Taipei now I am getting used to and guessing the assosciated nomenclature.
After asking couple of pedestrians with the written Chinese address 25 minutes before the scheduled start time of the meeting....the security guard who spoke only Chinese...was convinced I was at the wrong place and kept sending people fromthe office who spoke little English to make sure I needed to wait there till I met one of the actual members came in....
I met a group of great commited parents ..all volunteering.....and most of them spoke fluent Chinese though they were not from Taipei....I for the first time met an Indian lady who said is Translator...who spoke fluent Chinese...
Well after the meeting I caught the MRT and headed to TES (Taipei Eurpoean School ) for their Grand opeing...I hardly saw any program but managed to meet a few parents at lunch....and actually got some info on skating classes for kids...see sometimes you get what you need just being around....
Came home to catch up on my email...again to run to pick up Tanya from voice training class and headed home....
Evenings are hectic at home.....both kids have piano classes and a long break before their Chinese session.
This was one of those days Tanya did not sit through the class saying her legs are under pain....because of a PE activity of running 2 rounds in the field...
well we took the time to discuss what can be achieved in Chinese ove next 6 months...
So yet another hectic day gone by...
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Taipei Living
=================
16th October 2007.
This post is more a note for myself to read 5 years from now and have a good laugh at some of the adventures/misadventures in Taipei...
Tuesday - was going to be yet another day....
The wake up alarm goes off at 5:45 AM and after snoozing it for 3 times I finally crawl out of bed at 6 AM for yet another action packed day.
The usual chores of getting kids out of bed ..Tanya is seen off at her bus stop by 6: 55....I got greeted by an American neighbour who moves her house today to another part of the city...so we said our usual Goodbyes and we will meet soon ....also a message to pass to another neighbour from New Zealand....who I would meet 15 minutes later....when I put Riona to bus at 7:20...
Both the kids to school I realised that Sedj still in bed.(as he was working very late)I thought I might as well go to Gym ...so quickly changed and off to gym for a half hour workout....and came back only to take a shower and leave for a movie...
Well that was my first venture into a multiplex/theatre in Taipei...
I am not a movie person...and I rarely watch ...may be a frequency of one in six months.....
But this was a movie I had heard some ladies discussing its a "must see" and even Sedj (who is more a movie watcher than I ..he can easily watch a movie a day if he had the time...)had mentioned that we must see it...I said "Lets go for it on a week day when kids are at school"anyways he had to take off that day as I needed him to do some babysitiing in the evening.
Trust me I just thought it was another "Hollywood movie" till about 3 days ago Sedj told its a Chinese movie done by A Taiwanese Director.
So much so is my movie knowledge...so in a scale 0 to 10 I would be competing at 0.
The movie we were going to watch is Lust ,Caution
So having heard only the English name I could not figure out it was a Chinese movie...
So we set out...at 9 AM...to Down town to catch the movie in time at 10:25 AM.
We took along some passes we had...and the English newspaper with show times and movie reviews....
The traffic is very heavy in the morning and to find parking and figure out how to exchange our passes and where to go...typically any movie place would have over 10 movies running at the same time...and most signboards for anything would be in Chinese.
so we exchanged at our tickets....the counter guy asked us we wanted pop corn and we said yes..what we didnt know we were handed over a hotdog, a drink and a big box of popcorn each and we had to pay for only the popcorn and hence the question? ...So balancing all of them we were seated in an absolutely empty hall...by about 10:22 AM so we said " just in time"...
By 10 :30 ..we were wondering...whats wrong the movie had not started..so I dug out the tickets which had some details like hall number , seat number,...show time as 10:40 ( which I noticed then) and something saying "KINGDO" as usual all else in Chinese...so I said lets go and check with the guy at entrance...with the newspaper we have "are we at the right place?"...the newspapers gives the movie name in English and Chinese always...
so in two minutes..here we figure out we are siting in the wrong hall and apparently the "Kingdo" is for a movie : Kingdom Falls"...so basically the guy at the counter just assumed we won't watch a Chinese movie and hence gave us an English movie ticket.
anyways as usual Taiwanese are extremely considerate to foreigners knowing I guess our inability in their language we were quickly shifted to a hall where the movies was running so finally 8 minutes late at 10 : 33 we were watching the movie....we had no arguments /scuffle...I think they just realised they didnt understand and they even gave us the same seat numbers moving some viewers who were already seated..I guess its easier to explain to them in Chinese than to us...
So thank God we got to see the right movie!
It was a 3 hr movie....a different kind than usual I have never watched a Chinese movie...and thank God it had English Subtitles.
So after the movie we headed home just to pick up some things and Sedj can download his email for the rest of the day's action. So from say 8:45 to 1:45 - all we got to do was watch a movie...I thought that was too much time to "just watch a movie"
We reached school by about 2 ...and juggled with having pizzas while we get the car to a parking space...
We had an appointment at 2:35 with Tanya's teacher to watch avideo clipping we missed on another occassion...
Its amazing how a 7 year old can introduce herself in a typcial American accent!
" I love horse back riding....I swim breast stroke and back stoke...I love to keep a hamster and my mom wont let me since she thinks it tough to look after"That was her Introduction to all her Class Parents for the open house.
Mind you ...she has never done any horse back riding ( so it must be just fashionable to say) and swimming she does ( thats a message for me dont try to tell me to do free style and butter fly strokes) and hamster...( again I think its just the peer pressure as most of her classmates have pets so you need to sound cool)
Then we peeped into Riona "JAZZ" class to find out she decided not to dance that day...so I had to go in give her usual "motherly threats" " if you dont dance then you get to watch TV" and in a second she is joining the group to dance...
Then I exchanged library books so I get some books for Riona to practise reading and bought tickets for High School Play"Once upon a Mattress".
So by 3:30 grabbed the two kids Tanya from her singing class and left her with Sedj and rushed to take Riona to her Kumon class- its a 15 minute activity but the walking up and down takes another 20 minutes...
so finally I was back at the swimming pool at 4:15 as I was an assigned Timekeeper for the Swim Meet...so took over from S( he substituted me for 10 mins) and packed the kids home with him...
Its amazing how even 7 t 8 year olds compete in swimming for 100 mts and 200 mts...so was out of my duty by 6:15 PM...by the way this was the reason Sedj took off today so that I can prevent two tired kids hanging out with me 3 hrs at a swimming pool...
I got home to make dinner for them..mind you made "Appams for Sedj and Dosa for Tanya".and I can relieve Sedj to go for his Squash match....
While Tanya had her shower and did her homework and was in bed.by 8:30..Riona had a good nap while I was out time keeping so I still had the challenge to keeo her occupied....
So she decides I read her a book....so did couple of small books...then she says by 9 PM...I want to play Games...thats one thing I always guilty I have not managed to teach Riona enough..of these indoor games.so I said lets play....so I just said let me just play with her so the dishes still to do..and the laundry we decied to play draughts....I am going to give it a good try this time..so I said to myself..so we played a full game of draughts as I tried to make her understand...then once we were done with that she decided we play scrabble,
a photo of scrabble game
One Day in Taipei
so we played another game of scrabble...though by then I could feel I am really getting tired....I still made a few words in an effort to make her understand....and at 10 pm she is still wide awake...and full of energy and says I am hungry...so I decided to give in to her and gave her some chips to eat...while I did my Laundry and dishes....mind you I left the house early morning...
By 11 PM I am telling ( or screaming) her " go to sleep "mama is tired" ...and we went to bed....
What a day!
So I thought its good to write I spent each day say for a week...so I really need to find some time for myself....
So here I am on Wednesday morning 5 AM blogging so that I do keep that promise to myself..to log a week of my life in Taipei.
Having done over 100 posts I want to make it 200 this year...as life unfolds!
16th October 2007.
This post is more a note for myself to read 5 years from now and have a good laugh at some of the adventures/misadventures in Taipei...
Tuesday - was going to be yet another day....
The wake up alarm goes off at 5:45 AM and after snoozing it for 3 times I finally crawl out of bed at 6 AM for yet another action packed day.
The usual chores of getting kids out of bed ..Tanya is seen off at her bus stop by 6: 55....I got greeted by an American neighbour who moves her house today to another part of the city...so we said our usual Goodbyes and we will meet soon ....also a message to pass to another neighbour from New Zealand....who I would meet 15 minutes later....when I put Riona to bus at 7:20...
Both the kids to school I realised that Sedj still in bed.(as he was working very late)I thought I might as well go to Gym ...so quickly changed and off to gym for a half hour workout....and came back only to take a shower and leave for a movie...
Well that was my first venture into a multiplex/theatre in Taipei...
I am not a movie person...and I rarely watch ...may be a frequency of one in six months.....
But this was a movie I had heard some ladies discussing its a "must see" and even Sedj (who is more a movie watcher than I ..he can easily watch a movie a day if he had the time...)had mentioned that we must see it...I said "Lets go for it on a week day when kids are at school"anyways he had to take off that day as I needed him to do some babysitiing in the evening.
Trust me I just thought it was another "Hollywood movie" till about 3 days ago Sedj told its a Chinese movie done by A Taiwanese Director.
So much so is my movie knowledge...so in a scale 0 to 10 I would be competing at 0.
The movie we were going to watch is Lust ,Caution
So having heard only the English name I could not figure out it was a Chinese movie...
So we set out...at 9 AM...to Down town to catch the movie in time at 10:25 AM.
We took along some passes we had...and the English newspaper with show times and movie reviews....
The traffic is very heavy in the morning and to find parking and figure out how to exchange our passes and where to go...typically any movie place would have over 10 movies running at the same time...and most signboards for anything would be in Chinese.
so we exchanged at our tickets....the counter guy asked us we wanted pop corn and we said yes..what we didnt know we were handed over a hotdog, a drink and a big box of popcorn each and we had to pay for only the popcorn and hence the question? ...So balancing all of them we were seated in an absolutely empty hall...by about 10:22 AM so we said " just in time"...
By 10 :30 ..we were wondering...whats wrong the movie had not started..so I dug out the tickets which had some details like hall number , seat number,...show time as 10:40 ( which I noticed then) and something saying "KINGDO" as usual all else in Chinese...so I said lets go and check with the guy at entrance...with the newspaper we have "are we at the right place?"...the newspapers gives the movie name in English and Chinese always...
so in two minutes..here we figure out we are siting in the wrong hall and apparently the "Kingdo" is for a movie : Kingdom Falls"...so basically the guy at the counter just assumed we won't watch a Chinese movie and hence gave us an English movie ticket.
anyways as usual Taiwanese are extremely considerate to foreigners knowing I guess our inability in their language we were quickly shifted to a hall where the movies was running so finally 8 minutes late at 10 : 33 we were watching the movie....we had no arguments /scuffle...I think they just realised they didnt understand and they even gave us the same seat numbers moving some viewers who were already seated..I guess its easier to explain to them in Chinese than to us...
So thank God we got to see the right movie!
It was a 3 hr movie....a different kind than usual I have never watched a Chinese movie...and thank God it had English Subtitles.
So after the movie we headed home just to pick up some things and Sedj can download his email for the rest of the day's action. So from say 8:45 to 1:45 - all we got to do was watch a movie...I thought that was too much time to "just watch a movie"
We reached school by about 2 ...and juggled with having pizzas while we get the car to a parking space...
We had an appointment at 2:35 with Tanya's teacher to watch avideo clipping we missed on another occassion...
Its amazing how a 7 year old can introduce herself in a typcial American accent!
" I love horse back riding....I swim breast stroke and back stoke...I love to keep a hamster and my mom wont let me since she thinks it tough to look after"That was her Introduction to all her Class Parents for the open house.
Mind you ...she has never done any horse back riding ( so it must be just fashionable to say) and swimming she does ( thats a message for me dont try to tell me to do free style and butter fly strokes) and hamster...( again I think its just the peer pressure as most of her classmates have pets so you need to sound cool)
Then we peeped into Riona "JAZZ" class to find out she decided not to dance that day...so I had to go in give her usual "motherly threats" " if you dont dance then you get to watch TV" and in a second she is joining the group to dance...
Then I exchanged library books so I get some books for Riona to practise reading and bought tickets for High School Play"Once upon a Mattress".
So by 3:30 grabbed the two kids Tanya from her singing class and left her with Sedj and rushed to take Riona to her Kumon class- its a 15 minute activity but the walking up and down takes another 20 minutes...
so finally I was back at the swimming pool at 4:15 as I was an assigned Timekeeper for the Swim Meet...so took over from S( he substituted me for 10 mins) and packed the kids home with him...
Its amazing how even 7 t 8 year olds compete in swimming for 100 mts and 200 mts...so was out of my duty by 6:15 PM...by the way this was the reason Sedj took off today so that I can prevent two tired kids hanging out with me 3 hrs at a swimming pool...
I got home to make dinner for them..mind you made "Appams for Sedj and Dosa for Tanya".and I can relieve Sedj to go for his Squash match....
While Tanya had her shower and did her homework and was in bed.by 8:30..Riona had a good nap while I was out time keeping so I still had the challenge to keeo her occupied....
So she decides I read her a book....so did couple of small books...then she says by 9 PM...I want to play Games...thats one thing I always guilty I have not managed to teach Riona enough..of these indoor games.so I said lets play....so I just said let me just play with her so the dishes still to do..and the laundry we decied to play draughts....I am going to give it a good try this time..so I said to myself..so we played a full game of draughts as I tried to make her understand...then once we were done with that she decided we play scrabble,
a photo of scrabble game
One Day in Taipei
so we played another game of scrabble...though by then I could feel I am really getting tired....I still made a few words in an effort to make her understand....and at 10 pm she is still wide awake...and full of energy and says I am hungry...so I decided to give in to her and gave her some chips to eat...while I did my Laundry and dishes....mind you I left the house early morning...
By 11 PM I am telling ( or screaming) her " go to sleep "mama is tired" ...and we went to bed....
What a day!
So I thought its good to write I spent each day say for a week...so I really need to find some time for myself....
So here I am on Wednesday morning 5 AM blogging so that I do keep that promise to myself..to log a week of my life in Taipei.
Having done over 100 posts I want to make it 200 this year...as life unfolds!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Taipei Living
Today we complete one year in Taipei.
A city absolutely unknown to us a year ago.....and knew little ...we completed a year as a family!
I attended a course in Singapore to be certified as a Professional Trainer and one of the things taught to us trainers was...a Learning Cycle.
The three questions one should ask oneself/group after any milestone or activity.
SO I thought I can analyse my one year stay in the same tempo...
What went well?
What can be done better?
What did I learn?
So what went well in Taipei?
We had a quick settling phase....15 days we were more or less settled...as far as infrastructure and house, school were concerned....Our first 15 days We visited several places within Taiwan and in less than a year we almost covered all important attractions..Some of the places we covered
Window on China
National Palace Museum
Sun Moon Lake
Ocean Park Hualien
Taroko Gorge
Kenting
Cities we visited
Hongkong
Tokyo - Shinjuku, Akhibara Tokyo photos more Tokyo Photos
Kids learned new things like
Tanya for the first time got to sing a Duet on stage
Tanya did Oil Painting for the first time.
Tanya knows to play with a Chinese YoYo.
Tanya began to swim all four strokes - 50 mts.
Riona is learning to read.
Riona learned to swim.
Riona began Kumon.
I for the first time learned to cook and became a "Home Maker"..
I have learned to drive on the right side of the road.
Some thrills of living in Taipei
Buying an Indian Kurti for less than NT.50 ( US$1.5)
Buying a pair of Good Jeans at NT 150 ( US $ 5)
Got to celebrate Holi for the first time in my life.
There are several other thoughts that I will keep adding as the thoughts come along....
A city absolutely unknown to us a year ago.....and knew little ...we completed a year as a family!
I attended a course in Singapore to be certified as a Professional Trainer and one of the things taught to us trainers was...a Learning Cycle.
The three questions one should ask oneself/group after any milestone or activity.
SO I thought I can analyse my one year stay in the same tempo...
What went well?
What can be done better?
What did I learn?
So what went well in Taipei?
Window on China
National Palace Museum
Sun Moon Lake
Ocean Park Hualien
Taroko Gorge
Kenting
Cities we visited
Hongkong
Tokyo - Shinjuku, Akhibara Tokyo photos more Tokyo Photos
Kids learned new things like
Tanya for the first time got to sing a Duet on stage
Tanya did Oil Painting for the first time.
Tanya knows to play with a Chinese YoYo.
Tanya began to swim all four strokes - 50 mts.
Riona is learning to read.
Riona learned to swim.
Riona began Kumon.
I for the first time learned to cook and became a "Home Maker"..
I have learned to drive on the right side of the road.
Some thrills of living in Taipei
Buying an Indian Kurti for less than NT.50 ( US$1.5)
Buying a pair of Good Jeans at NT 150 ( US $ 5)
Got to celebrate Holi for the first time in my life.
There are several other thoughts that I will keep adding as the thoughts come along....
Dosa
How to make Dosa!
Ths blog is one of a kind I never thought I would ever post!
Well! times change and I change with it too... so now I can make a decent Dosa
I had couple of friends who asked me if I can write the recipe how to make the Dosa Batter....I for one learned it a year ago when I moved to Taipei as I had no choice but to make my own batter!
Here is the recipe!
A Dosa is a traditional bread or pancake made in south India.Though I think when I grew up I think its orgins are from the state of Tamil Nadu.
In its plainest form it is a thin, lacy, crunchy-chewy crepe.
It has many forms and variations and there are shops /restaurants which make just "DOSA"
My attempt here is to give you the basic recipe!
This is a perfect bread for people with food allergies to wheat or dairy products.
It is a high protiens diet too..
Ingredients for making a DOSA
1 cup urad dal (white lentils)
2 cups white rice- it has never been successful with brown rice.In most parts of the world it is also referred to as idli/dosa rice.
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Fenugreek
URAD DAL
The Dosa/Idli Rice used
Fenugreek
=====================================================================================
To make the batter:
Dosa batter is fermented.
That's where it gets its slightly sour flavor, as well as the texture that makes it hold together through many forms.
It takes 36hrs to make but it's very worth the wait!
First rinse the urad dal in a bowl of water until the water is clear.
Then put it in a steel or glass container, cover with about 2 inches of water,
and let it soak for at least 8 hours.
Do the same with the rice.
I typically put it say about 9 AM .
After 8 to 12 hours, use a measuring cup to transfer the urad dal to a blender. Add the fenugreek. I typically do it just before dinner.
Try to just add the urad dal and leave most of the water. After the urad dal has been transferred, then add enough water to cover it by one inch.
Blend on high for two minutes total. 30 seconds at a time.
Add 1 teaspoon salt to the last minute of blending.
Transfer to a large steel bowl with lid.
If you don't have one, use a cooking vessel with a lid.
Repeat with the rice, except blend for 2-3 minutes total,30 seconds at a time.
The blender I use!
After both urad dal and rice are blended, add them together in the large metal vessel and mix them together with a spoon.
Make sure the batter is not too thick or too thin. It should be about the consistency of thin pancake batter.
If it's too thick or too thin it will affect the fermentation process; it just won't froth up as much. Put a lid on the bowl but do not snap it down if it's that kind of lid.
Just set it on top in such a way as to keep critters out.
Now it needs to ferment.
If you live in a warm climate, you can simply set it on your countertop.
In cold places,turn on your oven light for a few hours and set the bowl in the oven.
Then turn it off after the oven is nice and warm.
The batter will need to ferment for atleast 12 hours.
No more than 24 hours or it will get spolied.
You can tell when it's properly fermented when you see that it has frothed up.
It will also smell sour.
Stir it and add about 1/2more teaspoon of salt. Now you are ready to cook with it!
Unused dosa batter will keep in the fridge for about 7 days.
Dosas (traditional crepes)
Heat a large flat nonstick Tava - a flat pan on medium heat for about 5 minutes.
While it's heating up, pour some healthy cooking oil into a small cup (like a teacup) and put a teaspoon in it. Set aside.
Get a ladle to use to make the dosas.
When the pan is hot enough, spread a little butter or any cooking oil.
Spread with ladle about 1/4 cup batter in a circle on the pan.
Quickly but very gently use the bottom of the ladle, starting in the center, press down slightly and make circles, working out to the edge of the dosa.
You want it to be practically paper-thin.
Gently turn with a flat spatula and let it cook for about 30 seconds on the other side (one side will be brownish and one side white).
Serving suggestions:
Dosas are traditionally eaten with thick curry - Sambhar.
They are torn off in pieces and then used to rinse in the curry between one piece of dosa so the hands won't get any curry on them.
Ths blog is one of a kind I never thought I would ever post!
Well! times change and I change with it too... so now I can make a decent Dosa
I had couple of friends who asked me if I can write the recipe how to make the Dosa Batter....I for one learned it a year ago when I moved to Taipei as I had no choice but to make my own batter!
Here is the recipe!
A Dosa is a traditional bread or pancake made in south India.Though I think when I grew up I think its orgins are from the state of Tamil Nadu.
In its plainest form it is a thin, lacy, crunchy-chewy crepe.
It has many forms and variations and there are shops /restaurants which make just "DOSA"
My attempt here is to give you the basic recipe!
This is a perfect bread for people with food allergies to wheat or dairy products.
It is a high protiens diet too..
Ingredients for making a DOSA
1 cup urad dal (white lentils)
2 cups white rice- it has never been successful with brown rice.In most parts of the world it is also referred to as idli/dosa rice.
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Fenugreek
URAD DAL
The Dosa/Idli Rice used
Fenugreek
=====================================================================================
To make the batter:
Dosa batter is fermented.
That's where it gets its slightly sour flavor, as well as the texture that makes it hold together through many forms.
It takes 36hrs to make but it's very worth the wait!
First rinse the urad dal in a bowl of water until the water is clear.
Then put it in a steel or glass container, cover with about 2 inches of water,
and let it soak for at least 8 hours.
Do the same with the rice.
I typically put it say about 9 AM .
After 8 to 12 hours, use a measuring cup to transfer the urad dal to a blender. Add the fenugreek. I typically do it just before dinner.
Try to just add the urad dal and leave most of the water. After the urad dal has been transferred, then add enough water to cover it by one inch.
Blend on high for two minutes total. 30 seconds at a time.
Add 1 teaspoon salt to the last minute of blending.
Transfer to a large steel bowl with lid.
If you don't have one, use a cooking vessel with a lid.
Repeat with the rice, except blend for 2-3 minutes total,30 seconds at a time.
The blender I use!
After both urad dal and rice are blended, add them together in the large metal vessel and mix them together with a spoon.
Make sure the batter is not too thick or too thin. It should be about the consistency of thin pancake batter.
If it's too thick or too thin it will affect the fermentation process; it just won't froth up as much. Put a lid on the bowl but do not snap it down if it's that kind of lid.
Just set it on top in such a way as to keep critters out.
Now it needs to ferment.
If you live in a warm climate, you can simply set it on your countertop.
In cold places,turn on your oven light for a few hours and set the bowl in the oven.
Then turn it off after the oven is nice and warm.
The batter will need to ferment for atleast 12 hours.
No more than 24 hours or it will get spolied.
You can tell when it's properly fermented when you see that it has frothed up.
It will also smell sour.
Stir it and add about 1/2more teaspoon of salt. Now you are ready to cook with it!
Unused dosa batter will keep in the fridge for about 7 days.
Dosas (traditional crepes)
Heat a large flat nonstick Tava - a flat pan on medium heat for about 5 minutes.
While it's heating up, pour some healthy cooking oil into a small cup (like a teacup) and put a teaspoon in it. Set aside.
Get a ladle to use to make the dosas.
When the pan is hot enough, spread a little butter or any cooking oil.
Spread with ladle about 1/4 cup batter in a circle on the pan.
Quickly but very gently use the bottom of the ladle, starting in the center, press down slightly and make circles, working out to the edge of the dosa.
You want it to be practically paper-thin.
Gently turn with a flat spatula and let it cook for about 30 seconds on the other side (one side will be brownish and one side white).
Serving suggestions:
Dosas are traditionally eaten with thick curry - Sambhar.
They are torn off in pieces and then used to rinse in the curry between one piece of dosa so the hands won't get any curry on them.
Monday, October 08, 2007
Schooling
• Academically, “British System” is more advanced than”American System” in the beginning years. But it balances out in the higher years. Would you agree? Elaborate.
===========================================================================
Answers to the second question!
I agree with the part, “British System” is more advanced than”American System” in the beginning years. But I don’t agree with latter part…
Because in the latter part both systems have plenty of choices and so your child can survive the Lower level math’s and science if he or she is not academically inclined …systems give u so much choice that you really can’t compare to a traditional O level or say the Indian system. This is where I love the Indian system where a basic foundation is laid out for at least first 10 years of educations….till one is 16 year old…and the child is given equal amount of knowldege where as all other systems differentiates the level of information given too..
Whereas the American System usually gives you a choice of varied disciplines and so the basic science and mathematics can be very minimal....
The choice of subjects is available for detailed reading in this link
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/courses/descriptions/index.html
So the question you need to ask as a parent does it matter to you if your child passes AP in Art History or French Literature or wood work…Does it matter to you? I for one still think subjects like business studies /science/math’s/economics appeals to me still! May be I am just old fashioned!
What is the choice one faces at High school?
Choices are plenty and I am sure it depends on one's circumstances..
My first preference as an individual is
Central Board of Secondary education
Over 12 million students annually
And over 9000 schools
The curriculum can be found here
http://cbse.nic.in/welcome.htm
The only reason I like it is it gives you standardized subjects till you are 16 years old and Grade 10.
If you are in India my second choice would be ...
Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) website
This is very similar to the O levels - ICSE is available in India over 1500 schools across the country offer the same.
In an international scenario where no Indian curriculum
is available the choice for High School( upto 12th Grade) in my order of preference will be
1 The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program is an internationally recognized diploma program that provides a challenging diversified and balanced curriculum that prepares high school students for university.
IB has more acceptance rates in universities compared to any other program. Check out the link if you want to make sure..
http://www.frenchamericansf.org/912/content.fsp?name=912_IBNA_student_survey&lang=en
2. The next choice available is the O levels or the IGCSE examinations.
This is what normally the British Schools follow and they offer the following subjects given in the link below!
The subjects are location dependent and school dependent.
Recognition
The General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level), or O Level, is the national school-leaving examination in several countries, including Singapore, Brunei and Mauritius (where it is taken as a 'group' examination – the Cambridge School Certificate. O Levels are normally taken in seven to nine subjects across the curriculum after 11 years of education. The courses usually require 150 hours of teaching over two years.
O Level grading is on a five-point scale (A–E). Universities in many countries, including Canada and the USA, will admit students on the basis of their O Level performances alone.
http://www.cie.org.uk/qualifications/academic/middlesec/olevel/subjects
http://www.cie.org.uk/qualifications/academic/middlesec/olevel/recognition
Links that provide a wealth of information!
It is the norm that most colleges require 3-4 years of mathematics, science, and foreign languages.
And finally we have the AP System to choose from!
3. The Advanced Placement (AP) Program offers students the opportunity to study university level courses and earn college credit through standardized exams. More popular with American Universities!
AP Program normally requires about 20 to 25 credits which is broadly divided as
English – 4 credits
Social Studies – 3 credits
Math’s
Fine Arts
Life Skill
So all in all upto 10th grade my preference is
1.CBSE
2.ICSE
3.O level Progrm
for 12th would be
IB Diploma
A level
AP Program
Trust this helps in putting your thoughts together!
===========================================================================
Answers to the second question!
I agree with the part, “British System” is more advanced than”American System” in the beginning years. But I don’t agree with latter part…
Because in the latter part both systems have plenty of choices and so your child can survive the Lower level math’s and science if he or she is not academically inclined …systems give u so much choice that you really can’t compare to a traditional O level or say the Indian system. This is where I love the Indian system where a basic foundation is laid out for at least first 10 years of educations….till one is 16 year old…and the child is given equal amount of knowldege where as all other systems differentiates the level of information given too..
Whereas the American System usually gives you a choice of varied disciplines and so the basic science and mathematics can be very minimal....
The choice of subjects is available for detailed reading in this link
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/courses/descriptions/index.html
So the question you need to ask as a parent does it matter to you if your child passes AP in Art History or French Literature or wood work…Does it matter to you? I for one still think subjects like business studies /science/math’s/economics appeals to me still! May be I am just old fashioned!
What is the choice one faces at High school?
Choices are plenty and I am sure it depends on one's circumstances..
My first preference as an individual is
Central Board of Secondary education
Over 12 million students annually
And over 9000 schools
The curriculum can be found here
http://cbse.nic.in/welcome.htm
The only reason I like it is it gives you standardized subjects till you are 16 years old and Grade 10.
If you are in India my second choice would be ...
Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) website
This is very similar to the O levels - ICSE is available in India over 1500 schools across the country offer the same.
In an international scenario where no Indian curriculum
is available the choice for High School( upto 12th Grade) in my order of preference will be
1 The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program is an internationally recognized diploma program that provides a challenging diversified and balanced curriculum that prepares high school students for university.
IB has more acceptance rates in universities compared to any other program. Check out the link if you want to make sure..
http://www.frenchamericansf.org/912/content.fsp?name=912_IBNA_student_survey&lang=en
2. The next choice available is the O levels or the IGCSE examinations.
This is what normally the British Schools follow and they offer the following subjects given in the link below!
The subjects are location dependent and school dependent.
Recognition
The General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level), or O Level, is the national school-leaving examination in several countries, including Singapore, Brunei and Mauritius (where it is taken as a 'group' examination – the Cambridge School Certificate. O Levels are normally taken in seven to nine subjects across the curriculum after 11 years of education. The courses usually require 150 hours of teaching over two years.
O Level grading is on a five-point scale (A–E). Universities in many countries, including Canada and the USA, will admit students on the basis of their O Level performances alone.
http://www.cie.org.uk/qualifications/academic/middlesec/olevel/subjects
http://www.cie.org.uk/qualifications/academic/middlesec/olevel/recognition
Links that provide a wealth of information!
It is the norm that most colleges require 3-4 years of mathematics, science, and foreign languages.
And finally we have the AP System to choose from!
3. The Advanced Placement (AP) Program offers students the opportunity to study university level courses and earn college credit through standardized exams. More popular with American Universities!
AP Program normally requires about 20 to 25 credits which is broadly divided as
English – 4 credits
Social Studies – 3 credits
Math’s
Fine Arts
Life Skill
So all in all upto 10th grade my preference is
1.CBSE
2.ICSE
3.O level Progrm
for 12th would be
IB Diploma
A level
AP Program
Trust this helps in putting your thoughts together!
Schooling
I have also listed other generic factors which I really didn’t use much at this stage but did when I first chose a school for Tanya when she was 4 years old.
The way to go about it is give as score in a scale of 1 to 5 for each question with respect to each school.Add them up and you will get a rough idea which has more positives!
Other factors one should consider
1. What is the philosophy of school about education?
2. What is this school's approach to student discipline and safety?
3. Is the school staff helpful and friendly? Is the school orderly and neat?
4. How is student work displayed?
5. Do the students appear to be courteous, happy, and disciplined? I would always like to hear “what the kids talk about in playground”. Do they talk about “movie stars or latest video game?” What is the kind of language they speak – I would really detest if every second word is foul language.
6. Is there a welcoming attitude toward all parents or the school discriminate?
7. Do the teachers appear to be helpful and friendly?
8. What is the principal's attitude toward discipline?
9. In what extracurricular activities is the principal most interested?
10. What is the principal's reputation in the community?
11. Is the principal usually at the school and available to talk to parents?
12. How does the principal respond to parental concerns/complaints?
13. What is the principal's attitude toward students with diverse learning
14. According to the principal/Admissions Coordinator, what are the school's strengths, weaknesses and improvement areas?
15. How does this school encourage and monitor students' progress toward meeting grade-level standards?
16. What kinds of library resources are available to students?
17. How is technology used to support teaching and learning at this school?
18. How do the arts fit into the curriculum? Is there a school choir, band or orchestra? A school play? Art classes?
19. What extracurricular opportunities (sports, clubs, community service, and competitions) are available for students?
20. How does this school support students who have academic, social or emotional difficulties?
21. What are some of the school's greatest accomplishments? What are some of the biggest challenges this school faces?
22. Do classrooms look cheerful? Is student work displayed, and does it seem appropriate for the grade level?
23. Do teachers seem enthusiastic and knowledgeable, asking questions that stimulate students and keep them engaged?
24. Does the principal seem confident and interested in interacting with students, teachers and parents?
25. How do students behave as they move from class to class or play outside?
26. How well are the facilities maintained? Are bathrooms clean and well supplied, and do the grounds look safe and inviting?
27. What are some highlights of this school's curriculum in reading, math, science and social studies?
28. What criteria are used to determine student placement in classes?
29. How does this school keep parents informed of school information and activities?
30. Is there an active Parent Teacher Association (PTA)? What other types of parent involvement take place at this school? Does the school expect parents to take a very active role?
===
The way to go about it is give as score in a scale of 1 to 5 for each question with respect to each school.Add them up and you will get a rough idea which has more positives!
Other factors one should consider
1. What is the philosophy of school about education?
2. What is this school's approach to student discipline and safety?
3. Is the school staff helpful and friendly? Is the school orderly and neat?
4. How is student work displayed?
5. Do the students appear to be courteous, happy, and disciplined? I would always like to hear “what the kids talk about in playground”. Do they talk about “movie stars or latest video game?” What is the kind of language they speak – I would really detest if every second word is foul language.
6. Is there a welcoming attitude toward all parents or the school discriminate?
7. Do the teachers appear to be helpful and friendly?
8. What is the principal's attitude toward discipline?
9. In what extracurricular activities is the principal most interested?
10. What is the principal's reputation in the community?
11. Is the principal usually at the school and available to talk to parents?
12. How does the principal respond to parental concerns/complaints?
13. What is the principal's attitude toward students with diverse learning
14. According to the principal/Admissions Coordinator, what are the school's strengths, weaknesses and improvement areas?
15. How does this school encourage and monitor students' progress toward meeting grade-level standards?
16. What kinds of library resources are available to students?
17. How is technology used to support teaching and learning at this school?
18. How do the arts fit into the curriculum? Is there a school choir, band or orchestra? A school play? Art classes?
19. What extracurricular opportunities (sports, clubs, community service, and competitions) are available for students?
20. How does this school support students who have academic, social or emotional difficulties?
21. What are some of the school's greatest accomplishments? What are some of the biggest challenges this school faces?
22. Do classrooms look cheerful? Is student work displayed, and does it seem appropriate for the grade level?
23. Do teachers seem enthusiastic and knowledgeable, asking questions that stimulate students and keep them engaged?
24. Does the principal seem confident and interested in interacting with students, teachers and parents?
25. How do students behave as they move from class to class or play outside?
26. How well are the facilities maintained? Are bathrooms clean and well supplied, and do the grounds look safe and inviting?
27. What are some highlights of this school's curriculum in reading, math, science and social studies?
28. What criteria are used to determine student placement in classes?
29. How does this school keep parents informed of school information and activities?
30. Is there an active Parent Teacher Association (PTA)? What other types of parent involvement take place at this school? Does the school expect parents to take a very active role?
===
Schooling
I got these questions from a friend by email and decided to reply on the post.
==============================================================================
Here’s a list of questions that you can answer when you get a chance, either on email or on your blog post:
• You didn’t mention how you finally decided on the schools for your two girls. Or rather, if you had the free choice for both schools, for both girls, which ones would you pick?
• Academically, “British System” is more advanced than ”American System” in the beginning years. But it balances out in the higher years. Would you agree? Elaborate.
===================================================================================
Answer to first question!
You didn’t mention how you finally decided on the schools for your two girls. Or rather, if you had the free choice for both schools, for both girls, which ones would you pick?
=================My answers – If one had a free choice for both schools with same infrastructure, reputation and acceptability and you were only choosing systems – I would prefer British System as it follows a more structured approach and there is a more or less a rigid basic knowledge every child needs to attain at every level. So if you are a “wandering family” it’s easier also incase you are forced to switch to another system. It also fits you to any part of the world than an American system which is more apt for the American Universities.
Having said that we chose American System for my older daughter because we felt it was a great opportunity to experience infrastructure and extra curricular activities that she was never exposed too…also the foundation built in the prior 3 years was strong so I could take the risk and I continue to support Math’s and English extensively through home schooling.
Having done that, it would have been convenient to just let the younger one too continue in the American system. But it was not to be as we did not get admission so as a result of circumstances she went onto a British system which is great in retrospect….as at least she is getting assessed and foundation is being built up on literacy and numeric skills and I am aware of the targets….For any resources www.firstschoolyears.com is a great website for British System. I have been working with it at home with her and I can see the foundation getting stronger though slowly….
==============================================================================
Here’s a list of questions that you can answer when you get a chance, either on email or on your blog post:
• You didn’t mention how you finally decided on the schools for your two girls. Or rather, if you had the free choice for both schools, for both girls, which ones would you pick?
• Academically, “British System” is more advanced than ”American System” in the beginning years. But it balances out in the higher years. Would you agree? Elaborate.
===================================================================================
Answer to first question!
You didn’t mention how you finally decided on the schools for your two girls. Or rather, if you had the free choice for both schools, for both girls, which ones would you pick?
=================My answers – If one had a free choice for both schools with same infrastructure, reputation and acceptability and you were only choosing systems – I would prefer British System as it follows a more structured approach and there is a more or less a rigid basic knowledge every child needs to attain at every level. So if you are a “wandering family” it’s easier also incase you are forced to switch to another system. It also fits you to any part of the world than an American system which is more apt for the American Universities.
Having said that we chose American System for my older daughter because we felt it was a great opportunity to experience infrastructure and extra curricular activities that she was never exposed too…also the foundation built in the prior 3 years was strong so I could take the risk and I continue to support Math’s and English extensively through home schooling.
Having done that, it would have been convenient to just let the younger one too continue in the American system. But it was not to be as we did not get admission so as a result of circumstances she went onto a British system which is great in retrospect….as at least she is getting assessed and foundation is being built up on literacy and numeric skills and I am aware of the targets….For any resources www.firstschoolyears.com is a great website for British System. I have been working with it at home with her and I can see the foundation getting stronger though slowly….
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Schooling
Schooling - Part 3
Now yet another city – a different country – no Indian curriculum available-
I have two children- different ages and the choice was limited to American System of Education and British System of Education.
Which do you choose?
Priorities all changed ….
And the choice was made by the situation and what we could get…so the result…..
I have one child under going an American System and who is very happy and thoroughly enjoys it and I have another under going British System is very happy and thoroughly enjoys too …
Now coming to the question I get how do you find the systems?
The question I would ask any parent is the following
• What is your expectation of your education?
o How much do you want your child to be academic oriented…
1 Are you ok if your child just passes each grade but is well all rounded …in sports/arts etc
2 Are you happier if your child is top quarter percentile in academics but is just scrapes through in most extra curricular activities…?
3 Are you the happiest if you child is in top quarter percentile and is also very good at all extra curricular activities - an ideal situation very few kids can make that mark and if they do majority would have had lots of external support from parents or others external to school.
So the choice has to be made between 1 and 2 - 3 is the bonus....
• What is the possibility of you continuing the same system of education for the next 16 years….?
o Then you can afford to have an education that will take care of it itself over years…you are not worried of getting placed at lower classes when you switch classes.
o But if you are like me where I don’t know what’s next then academics has to be strong in the earlier years else you should be prepared to miss a year every time you make a switch of curriculums – So what if the child has to repeat a Grade? – Good question – answer would help you to choose what focus you need when choosing the school and also your expecations.
If you can answer these two questions – you sure do have the answers….but if both are uncertain here is my perspective….
• I think “ do everything you can build a firm foundation” – I have seen that if a child reads earlier than his peers or solves mathematical problems earlier they sure have an advantage….can they survive without that advantage of course they can…..
• Supplement as much as possible at home…I have tried very hard doing that and I believe it has helped so far….Hint: The question is are you willing to supplement or not? Or are you ok with whatever may be the outcome?
• Are you overloading the child? – That’s a fine line you decide as you know your child best….I know my children are very happy if they have lots of activities they like and so I can get more academics done if they have more activities they can be engaged…- net result I am tired…but is the effort worth it …of course it is…And I can already see it every day….
So that’s my perspective………and my very own….
Now yet another city – a different country – no Indian curriculum available-
I have two children- different ages and the choice was limited to American System of Education and British System of Education.
Which do you choose?
Priorities all changed ….
And the choice was made by the situation and what we could get…so the result…..
I have one child under going an American System and who is very happy and thoroughly enjoys it and I have another under going British System is very happy and thoroughly enjoys too …
Now coming to the question I get how do you find the systems?
The question I would ask any parent is the following
• What is your expectation of your education?
o How much do you want your child to be academic oriented…
1 Are you ok if your child just passes each grade but is well all rounded …in sports/arts etc
2 Are you happier if your child is top quarter percentile in academics but is just scrapes through in most extra curricular activities…?
3 Are you the happiest if you child is in top quarter percentile and is also very good at all extra curricular activities - an ideal situation very few kids can make that mark and if they do majority would have had lots of external support from parents or others external to school.
So the choice has to be made between 1 and 2 - 3 is the bonus....
• What is the possibility of you continuing the same system of education for the next 16 years….?
o Then you can afford to have an education that will take care of it itself over years…you are not worried of getting placed at lower classes when you switch classes.
o But if you are like me where I don’t know what’s next then academics has to be strong in the earlier years else you should be prepared to miss a year every time you make a switch of curriculums – So what if the child has to repeat a Grade? – Good question – answer would help you to choose what focus you need when choosing the school and also your expecations.
If you can answer these two questions – you sure do have the answers….but if both are uncertain here is my perspective….
• I think “ do everything you can build a firm foundation” – I have seen that if a child reads earlier than his peers or solves mathematical problems earlier they sure have an advantage….can they survive without that advantage of course they can…..
• Supplement as much as possible at home…I have tried very hard doing that and I believe it has helped so far….Hint: The question is are you willing to supplement or not? Or are you ok with whatever may be the outcome?
• Are you overloading the child? – That’s a fine line you decide as you know your child best….I know my children are very happy if they have lots of activities they like and so I can get more academics done if they have more activities they can be engaged…- net result I am tired…but is the effort worth it …of course it is…And I can already see it every day….
So that’s my perspective………and my very own….
Schooling
Schooling - Part 2
Next in a new city far away from country we took the obvious choice.
Let’s continue Indian education for our kids …great they would be taught like the way we were taught in a metropolitan city with a great infrastructure!
But all other priorities changed…
• School happened to be reasonably close but if it had been far and offered bus services we would have chosen. She was 5 then and comfortably takes the school bus. In fact to date one of her bus mates is her best friend.
• It was a school which followed Hinduism as an ideology ….and children had to learn Slokas and Sanskrit….but we had no choice in a foreign country you can’t choose from many schools with CBSE syllabus. You at that time had literally one school or you can choose curriculums from other countries like (American, British. Canadian, Australian etc.) But of course you try to expose her to Christian Education on Sundays and religiously went to Church as a family on Sundays where they would have Sunday school for Children.( Note we never bothered about it when she went to a Christian School).
• An upcoming school – yes this was so the choice was easy in this aspect…
So ultimately it weighed on what was available and what is the price one has to pay than the priorities one started looking for a school. So all in all she went for 24 months and I still believe a great foundation was laid with a lot of hard work from our side at this stage…
Next in a new city far away from country we took the obvious choice.
Let’s continue Indian education for our kids …great they would be taught like the way we were taught in a metropolitan city with a great infrastructure!
But all other priorities changed…
• School happened to be reasonably close but if it had been far and offered bus services we would have chosen. She was 5 then and comfortably takes the school bus. In fact to date one of her bus mates is her best friend.
• It was a school which followed Hinduism as an ideology ….and children had to learn Slokas and Sanskrit….but we had no choice in a foreign country you can’t choose from many schools with CBSE syllabus. You at that time had literally one school or you can choose curriculums from other countries like (American, British. Canadian, Australian etc.) But of course you try to expose her to Christian Education on Sundays and religiously went to Church as a family on Sundays where they would have Sunday school for Children.( Note we never bothered about it when she went to a Christian School).
• An upcoming school – yes this was so the choice was easy in this aspect…
So ultimately it weighed on what was available and what is the price one has to pay than the priorities one started looking for a school. So all in all she went for 24 months and I still believe a great foundation was laid with a lot of hard work from our side at this stage…
Schooling
Schooling
I decided even if I have one person asked me he/she likes to hear my perspective I think I have an audience and I will blog about it…
What made us choose the school we chose for our daughter?
• Proximity to home – The school was within a 2 km radius which helped avoiding traffic jams and unnecessary fatigue.
• It was an upcoming school- The reputation was the school is doing everything to be among the best of schools. That was also evident to a few parents and teachers we enquired with and it was highlighted often in the local press.
• It’s a Christian School. We are firm believers of Christian Faith and we thought it would be only appropriate to the same ideologies though the school had students and teachers from all walks of life.
• It had an infrastructure my child can manage to cope with. Was everything out of the ordinary? No! But she could cope!
Anyways after all the research and process The admission process that year it took us about 9 months and my daughter went to school about 2 months and we were leaving the city….
And believe me we hoped she may spend next 14 years of life there!
I decided even if I have one person asked me he/she likes to hear my perspective I think I have an audience and I will blog about it…
What made us choose the school we chose for our daughter?
• Proximity to home – The school was within a 2 km radius which helped avoiding traffic jams and unnecessary fatigue.
• It was an upcoming school- The reputation was the school is doing everything to be among the best of schools. That was also evident to a few parents and teachers we enquired with and it was highlighted often in the local press.
• It’s a Christian School. We are firm believers of Christian Faith and we thought it would be only appropriate to the same ideologies though the school had students and teachers from all walks of life.
• It had an infrastructure my child can manage to cope with. Was everything out of the ordinary? No! But she could cope!
Anyways after all the research and process The admission process that year it took us about 9 months and my daughter went to school about 2 months and we were leaving the city….
And believe me we hoped she may spend next 14 years of life there!
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