A way of seeing....

Ruth had been real busy these two days. But not with homework or revision. She's attending her junior prefect orientation program organized by her school. She came back home at the end of the day exhausted and complaining of aches here and there. For one who seldom exercise, it's definitely a trying time for her. Well, from now onwards, it takes alot of self-discipline and effort to balance the time between her studies and her prefectorial responsibilities.

Speaking of discipline, this brings to mind the warden of a boarding school caught in the middle of the "soaking in the pond" controversy recently. She ordered 200 girls into a pond as a collective punishment because no one owned up for flushing a sanitary pad into the toilet. She claimed that the girls had been repeatly advised to disposed off their soiled pads with the old newspapers and dustbins provided by the school but they just would not listen. So, she sent them for an hour's soak in the pond.

The incident sparked a furore and with all the media attention, various parties condemned her actions and even called for her suspension and dismissal. It was only after her repeated apologies to the parents of the affected students that she managed to get off the hook.

Looking back, I would not be so quick to condemn her actions. Thirty-three years ago, I was a boarding student in one of the colleges in Miri. I studied in the college for four years and stayed in the girl's dormitory during that period. The dormitory, built in a longhouse style comprises of ten rooms each on the ground and first floor. One can say that thirty years ago, students are less irresponsible, more obedient and easier to discipline. But the problem on the disposal of sanitary pads is an old age one. We had about 200 students in our dormitory and one can imagine the number of pads used by the girls. Our warden also faced the same problem, soiled pads were indiscrimnately thrown in the toilets and bathrooms. She repeatly reminded the girls to dispose off the pads in the dustbins provided, but often the advice would often fall on deaf ears. At one time, the problem was so bad that she ordered the girls from each room to go round all the toilets and bathrooms and collect all the pads and disposed them off at the end of the day. So, a duty roster was drawn up and all the girls had a hand in collecting the soiled pads and disposing them off. It was a really..... dirty and disgusting job. I am quite sure if there's a pond nearby, she just might herald us there for a soak, too! Understandbly, it's never easy being a warden. Besides talking care of the welfare of the students, enforcing discipline is often a problem. I can say, it is often a thankless task.

Marbles

Attended a birthday party last Sunday evening. The little girl, who had just turned one is the adopted daughter of our close family friend. It was a grand occasion, with at least 150 invited guests. Family, friends, business associates and their employees all join together to make the occasion a very special and memorable one. We had a sumptuous spread of delicious food and good company. The birthday girl, dressed in a beautiful orange smocking dress, frilly hairband is the star of the evening. She's the favorite among the aunties, uncles and the children, all vying for her attention and getting her to smile and pose for the photographs. Ruth had a good time too, meeting up with some of her friends and enjoying her favourite fried mee and chicken wings.

Ruth will be facing her first round of her second semester examinations in three weeks' time. She's got plenty more to revise as the exams include all the syllabuses that she had studied so far. So, it's back to cramming and revisions for the next three weeks. On yes! She just got elected as a junior prefect and hopefully this responsibility will teach her more social and leadership skills, which I find very much lacking in her. She's looking forward to wearing her prefect's tie and blazier.

Busy as usual with work in the office. Hubby's again away for a training session in Kuala Trengganu. It's really a rat race to survive!

Some news.....

It's been quite sometime since I last updated my blog. Had been real busy with work, a series of church meetings and supervising Ruth's homework and assignments. Plus the fact that hubby's had been travelling for the last two weeks. Sometimes, I just get caught up by this viscious cycle of existing and not living. But, life has to go on. That's the harsh reality of it.

I had my mammogram done last week. No cause of grave concern but yearly check-ups recommended. Fast approaching the fifties and mellowing, I must admit that both my mind and bodily functions are definitely "slowing down" and if I do not exercise caution, ailments will start creeping in. Like one of my friend used to tell me, "You grow old, fall sick and die", Unquote.

Mum left for her Cambodian trip last Tuesday. She will be away for a week enjoying the sights and relaxing with her senior citizen gang. She is blessed with fairly good health and financial freedom, thus allowing her to enjoy travelling and sightseeing. Lucky her!