A Noisy Singaporean

Day 4 - A meeting with a legend Kareem Abdul Jabbar

Kareem Abdul Jaabar is a Muslim. I know that. Muslims know that Kareem and Jaabar are virtues and even names of Allah. They mean the servant of the exalted one. Awesome. In person he is 7 foot 2. The introduction that they did send Goosebumps in me. I was not keen to attend this talk but somehow, when I see the teachers walking briskly for the final keynote address, I followed and I was not disappointed.

            Kareems's message was simple. He wants Americans to know that the greatest basketball team in the world is the Harlem Rens (Harlem Renaissance) and the Harlem Globetrotters. These two teams faced tremendous difficulties demonstrating their abilities in the era where sports were segregated. However for their love of the game, these two teams persevered and made their way as becoming first class citizens and putting African American basketball players in mainstream America. Their innovation, style of play and the coach they had all contributed to their success. So keen were they to get acceptance that the Harlem Globetrotters combined comedy into their play, so that they would gain white acceptance as comedians first and sportsman later. They did have their chance and they took it and made a mark for themselves and got respect for the African American community in the process, and made basketball as one of the possible avenue for success for poor African Americans. Apparently he researched their history and had published a book on it. The story of the Harlem Rens and the Globetrotters has been made into a movie and will be screened in the first quarter of 2011. Despite selling this narrative and getting the audience enthused about the upcoming movie, he has a serious message to his audience

            His first concern was that too many African American kids have a belief that success can be achieved with a short cut. Every kid wants to become a rap artist and have Jay Zee as his or her manager. He wants Social Studies teachers to spread the message especially among inner city kids in Harlem and Bronx that there are many paths to success. There is no need to become a sportsmen or entertainer. He mentioned he had visited Jamie Escalante’s school and was stupefied when a student asked him ‘you write this book?’ (Implying that a student is amazed that an African American NBS basketball star actually wrote and published a book on the history of African American Renaissance). He also alluded to Escalante’s efforts in education by it is a powerful reminder that you can be successful in Mathematics. One need not have to be a sports star or entertainer. What the kids need to know is that with patience, integrity and the right amount of help from the teacher they can achive success.

            He feels that America can do more in getting African American students into becoming businessmen, inventors and physicians. He cited the assistant of Alexander Graham Bell who also invented the filament that was used by Edison as a black scientist. This was his second message I guessed, on top of paying homage to the greatest basketball team and putting them in a  position in the Harlem Renaissance, he was hoping for a second renaissance, where African Americans would aspire to become Mathematicians, scientist instead of sportsmen and entertainers. To him having and pursuing knowledge is power. What they can do in school and with a good education is better. He financial rewards is also guaranteed and with t

            There was also a third message and this made turned Kareem from plain vanilla into awesome Oreo Cookie and Cream Haagen Dazs in my eyes. He also wanted these African American kids who have become successful in whatever field they choose, to return to where they came from, buy real estate, improve the houses in the area, invite people to stay in them and improve the community in the process and to make a real difference in the lives of people in their community. No point he says, once you made it, ‘you go out and get yourself a huge diamond medallion and hang it around your neck’.

I thought that was like…wow!. No better way to put the concept of noblese oblige across.

            What followed was a serried of question and answer session that saw many questions being put across to him. After that, he indulged the teachers into a book signing session. Did I say that all teachers get a hardback book by him, 4 CDs and some study aids and a poster?. Yes, and his Skyhook Foundation project is partly supported by UCLA, his alma matter.

            One good question was asked by a teacher who wanted to know what he felt about the fear that Muslim kids have when they go to town in the inner city area. Below is his reply.

Another well answered questions was when we was asked what can be down with the low graduation rates among African American males in colleges but their high rates in prison. His reply “HOME” . Home factors to him are important and the part played by the father is important. He was fortunate to have a father who is a policeman who would threaten to beat him with anything that he can find. And his dad played an important role in instilling the love of Jazz and basketball in him. Being an African from the West Indies, hard work and respect for his grandmother also instilled in him a sense of urgency in wanting to go for training. These to me are cultural factors that gave him the tools and the will to succeed.

Below is his answer to one of the question being posed.

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14th July. Bastille Day. On being Ver 38 and What is my Dream?

I started the week reading Surah Al Baqarah from ayat 165 onwards. This morning ayat 171  and 172 stuck to me light a bolt. Interestingly there are parallels about what was to happen later in the day with this ayat. Did I tell you that today 14th July 2010, I turned 38?

(2:171) And so the parable of those who are bent on denying the truth is that of the beast, which, which has the shepherd's  cry and hears in it nothing but the sound of a voice and a call. Deaf are they and dumb and blind, for they do not use their reason.

(2:172) O you who have attained to faith. Partake of the good things which we have provided for you as sustenance, and render thanks unto God, if it is [truly] Him that you worship

Did I say that before subuh, I managed to do my early morning run around NUS? pass biz ad, Arts Fac, towards Engine Bridge, downslope towards Fong Seng and turned into Seven Eleven into the road where I live. Timing was 19 minutes plus (not my best but managed to work some sweat though). Later I did some flexibility exercises after the run with my elastic tension rope. Once over with my standard leg raises and push-ups, I was drenching with sweat. This is the reason why I wake up at 4 am and run. To have sweat oozing but the cool morning wind and silence blowing on me, to feel really hungry and with all my muscles taut and warm blood surging in term. I can feel the endorphines and adrenaline surging  in me. No words to describe the satisfaction of being able to push your own personal limits and boundaries. It simply feels awesome. Makes me feel I can take on any challenge, any problems  head-on. By 4:59am I had showered and sat on my prayer rug reading 2:163-176, with the proper enuciation of the Arabic makhraj and tarnum. (rhythm)

Lines 171-172 were significant to me that day, for "Allah has allowed me to Partake of the good things which he has provided for as sustenance." This is important for it is he who as not only given me sustenance but so much more. I received and is receiving the grace of our Lord everyday, but this morning I made time stand still and reflect of the many blessings that I have received for the past 38 years. The first in of course. I am alive. I had lived past 37. 

I had once read in a Los Angeles based online newspaper report the other day and was struck with one webpage that displays photos of US serviceman and servicewomen who perished in the service of their nation in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. These servicemen, about 540 plus of them hailed from parts of Los Angeles. What struck to me most are youth and their age. Almost all are below 25. Young and in their prime. Their photos, not accompanied by any text shows an image of a proud soldier doing his or her duty for the defense of their country and paying the ultimate sacrifice for that belief - their life. The testimonials and message left behind by their loved ones were especially poignant. They spoke of not how they died, they spoke not in voices of anger, but they spoke of the many wonderful things the fallen had done that had special meaning to them, not of heroics but of mundane stuff, and also through their words they made it clear what the loss of their husband, son, daughter and friend had meant to them. This resonated deeply in me for if I die, and I will one day. I would want people to  know me truly for the values that I have set for myself, and how I had succeeded in  achieving them and  and also how hard I tried in achieving some goals that I had fallen short of achieving and how they can take the lessons in the many mistakes that I had made, to be better than me. For this to happen I need a certain amount of time to achieve them and blessed with being 38, means I had more time to make a difference in the lives of others. I thank Allah for giving me health, energy, wisdom, people whom I loved, people who love me, spiritual awareness of how small I am relative to the vastness of space and time, a desire to improve myself in understanding God's final revelation - the Quran, to be given an opportunity to be a 'Khalifah' (steward) in this journey of life and demonstrate that a true Muslim loves, cherishes and gives back as much as he has been given unto. شكر الحمد لله.

In the same breath, I thanked God Al - Mighty, for making me a Singaporean, and for having tossed me here in this part of the world, instead of Hebron, Gaza, Bukina Faso or even Paris..(no offense to those great cities!) . But I thank my lucky stars that my grandparents eloped from India and set sail here about 150 years ago and this made it posible for me to benefit from the best of what Singapore has to offer. It allows me to firstly have an education that not only rewards achievement but strengthens mind and character in such a way that I dont get lost when I am in Seoul, Massachusetts, or even Jakarta. Malcolm Gladwell, complimented Singaporeans by saying that we are one of the world's best in 'dealing with unpredictability' and looking backwards in my life, I can see why we become such a people. This is the gift of Singapore for SIngaporeans. Being in SIngapore, born to parents who places a premium in education, me and Bi got the best of the madrasah and secular education system. I teach. Bi practices medicine. Only in Singapore and few other places in the world such an event could and had happened. I thanked my lucky stars that morning to have met Faiz, started a family, bought a fine house, have good neighbours and having been allowed to serve in the defence of our nation. Of all my prized possessions, a picture of me in my passing out parade in SAF No.4 deserves special mention.

I am what I am today and specifically that being I ca relate to Singapore from all walks of life because of my National Service experience. I am proud to say that I served in a combat vocation. And for who for having served in an infantry battalion in the SAF, for having 'chiong' ed' up and down Peng Kang, Bajau,E-shaped knoll, Tekong, Botak and  Elephant Hill and knowing the difference between the sound made by a 5.56mm and 7.62mm rifle and having been given the experience close up to see men of action coming together to serve their country gives me a powerful sense of centered-ness. Despite the cacophony of colour and creed only one colour stood out; camouflaged green. And if you look closely, those tiny pixels in my 1991 ITD Pass Out Parade with Foxtrot Company,taken  in Infantry Training Depot, Pulau Tekong a dark skinned short haired skinny soldier with the name PTE Kamaludin Bahadin stands out. That was me, when I was 18. Today I have doubled in age, but never  have felt a year older. If ever, Singapore has given me what it possibly could and this allowed to be to give back to those who matters to me, in ways that I can. A big part of that comes from being able to teach Singapore's future - the young people of this country.

The second point that makes me proud to be a SIngaporean, is that I am a Muslim. Singapore protects our way of life and ensures that our women and daughters can wear their veils with heads held high. Lots of advertisement billboard in the Civil Service of women wearing head-dress, reaffirms  my belief in that we can be both excellent Muslims and patriotic Singaporeans and the two are not in conflict with each other. In fact I can be the best Muslim that I want and not worry about public perception or official biases. Part of this remains that Singapore Muslims though a minority are a shining example as compared to many parts of the world where Muslims are the majority. Ironically in those areas where the government is run by fellow Muslims, they often fall short of meeting the expectations of their citizens of fellow Muslims. Singaporean Muslims are excellent in many aspects and I believe like the generation before us we exemplify the best of our prophet's teachings (pbuh). For we believe strongly in the teaching of Al Sunnah Wal Jammaah, who are tolerant of people of different faiths and who treats their neighbours with dignity and respect even if they share a different religion, who allows their women to be educated and are rationale and progressive in outlook. The sense of Ummah of being a Singapore Muslim has never been stronger. The minarets of our;beautiful mosques piercing the sky and adorning our island as compared to the sad state of mosques that I saw in Paris,and the mood of Islam-ophobia rising in Europe makes me feel blessed to be here. Here I can prepare myself and my family dunia (present world) and akhirah (the next world) to the best of my ability. For this I am really thankful. 

I received three beautiful cards this morning from Dada, Nana and Rayn. Rayn's card was once written by Dada but is still significant. His wobbly, crooked, jerky way of writing alphabets suggests an image in my mind of his sister holding his small hand and writing out the words with him on paper was making me smile. Dada's card was extremely meaningful for she spoke from her heart with deep affection of what my presence had meant to her. Nana's card was an anagram that had computer QWERTY's keypad with some letters shaded, which with the help of Glenn Sim, I managed to decipher what it means. It says I love you from an iPhone keypad. Mother called me and said a prayer to me. When I sent Rayn she was there, put sugar in my mouth to sweeten my day and gave me a card from Father. Father called and wished me a happy birthday. Bi called and said how much I meant to her and to promise to have a great day. If wealth can be defined not in monetary terms but in the quality of relationship one has with one's loved ones, then I was a billionaire that morning. I explained my thanks to the Almighty for not just the sustenance but the above and beyond that he was blessed to me.

I drove off to school and as usual, today is going to be a long day. But it will be a special long one. I was happy. I played Zein Bhikka on the stereo. It was surreal.

 The first greeting of the day came from my DHS Globalisation Challenge students, who saw me in the morning  and wished me personally a happy birthday. I told them that the best gifts to me are not physical but the ones made up from effort and hard work. I told them that their gift to me will be presented on the 17th July, on  their competition date and whatever the result is, in my eyes they have won with their hard work and determination.

The next 3 hours was frantic but in true Kamal style a highly charged, photo-neutronic event, I am conducting a workshop. I dunno, but I always enjoyed delivering infront of a large crowd. I never feel afraid (of course I will if I am not well prepared) But with 6 weeks of preparation behind me, how can I mess up? I conducted a Skillful teacher workshop for 110 teachers along with my two senior teachers. It was perfect in execution. Initial feedback form teachers were positive. Later in the hour I has a lesson observation by my Principal along with VVIPs, VP and other teachers. That two was a highly charged moment. I wasn't doing anything impressive and 'above and beyond'. I told myself that the lesson would be me in action, RAW, Acoustic version. But it was fun showcasing what history teaching or social studies is about to people who are going to make important decisions for our country. Once that was over, I slumped in my seat. Took a deep breath and responded toa flurry of SMSes form my relatives and friends....Next up was going to 4/1

4/1 sang a birthday song to me as I walked into the class. After their singing I thanked them and told them the story of 14th July. I explained that 14th July also happens to be known as Bastille day. For on this day the French people in 1789 stormed the prison-fortress Bastille and bought an end to their cruel monarchy led by Louis XVI. I explained that this storming is not significant by itself but it unleash the power of the French people to bring an end to their absolute monarchy and establish the first modern nation states founded upon the principles of Liberty, Fraternity and Egalitaire. I tred to mention the French terms as best I could and added that the ideals were so powerful that it spawned not  only a social revolution in France but also  a political revolution in Europe itself. The French high on their newly found freedoms and committed to freeing the rest of Europe from their perceived yoke of tyranny of their monarchs and led by one of the greatest military general of all time Napoleon Bonaparte, conquered almost the entire Europe, sans Moscow and United Kingdom. I ended my saying that this day is special as it reminds us of the power of the people and how governments serve people and that if reforms were not made from above, one cab expect a revolution from below. Viva Le France.

What makes today a great day is 4/4 and what they did for me. Let me explain, when I started the year the class was new. They were in a despondent mood. A few I believed had given up on the subject. Many had issues with themselves and also me. Many were the introverted skeptical sort who would'nt participate. But today things changed. The worst of the Sec 4E's proved in my heart to be the best, more than I can imagined. Though I did not have a class with them, they told me to meet up with them in the canteen at 2pm. As busy as I was, I wanted to say NO, so along with my NIE trainee whom I was having a conversation we went down to the canteed. Firdaus took a picture and I knew a surprise is coming. True, there it was in the canteen a chocolate cake with smiling 4/4 students around it. I also got a green Vivezuela. I made a speech, Say thank you to all. But a point has to be made here; that is it takes a lot for a group of students to come around and buy and bring a cake to school, keep it somewhere for the entire day, surprise their teacher during their precious break and genuinely are happy doing it. It is for surprises like this that I had remained in teaching. I tried my best to speak to everyone and thanked every one who came. I was later presented with a  big birthday card. It had many Post-Its by many students on them. Below are samples of what they wrote (click on it and it will enlarge). I enjoyed the chocolate cake and told everyone that I sincerely wish and hope 

  that they will achieve spectacular results in the O Level results, have a good character and give back to society whatever they have been given. i told them, like t hem I was a version 16 of myself at that age. With many many birthdays and through learning from the many mistakes and being wiser as a result of the numerous feedback I received, I stand in front of them as a Version 38 of myself. I add a reminder that this is only a version, the best is yet to be. Amidst the eating, laughter, over a chocolate cake Rui Ting asked me a profound question "Mr K what is your dream?" I smiled. I told her "This is it!" She looked puzzled. I explained. "Rui Ting, you are not going to believe it if I tell you that I am one of those rare people in this world who are living their dream right now. I have a house (though not the biggest) an SUV (though not the best), a great family, a fantabulous working environment, great colleagues and Andersonians who often energize me when I need energizing and for them I spend most of my days, even more so than my family during term time. At the end of each day, as always I feel tired but contented of having touch lives, making an impact and imparting a little  bit of what I know to their collective wisdoms. I am lord of the classroom, king of the assembly hall, wise Jedi Master, the feared Assassin Creed and Flash all roll in one. I feel excited about every single day coming to school", I replied . Isn't that a dream for many others? For it is not money or fame that nourishes my soul but it is something else for me. William Blake says it best in the Auguries of Innocence, when he said;

"To see a world in a grain of sand, 
 And a heaven in a wild flower,
 Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
 And eternity in an hour"

Short of sounding like an MOE advertisement, today I felt that in the midst of my students sharing in their laughters and hope for the O levels a sense of serenity and tranquility in being able to freeze time and enjoy the moment. A moment forged in genuine sincerity and devotion. Once can never experience this unless one has touched lives, and touched it meaningfully. So my dream has been fulfilled. The challenge now is scale even a higher peak with regards to being a teacher, a father, a husband a son and a friend. I have to scan the terrain and pick out a new peak.

I am not sure if Rui Ting, believed in my answer, but I do know an intelligent individual like her, will one day find out exactly what I meant by those words. Back in my HOD room, two presents sat on my table. One was a gift and present from my neighbouring HOD. I read it and I read it twice. Indescribable. No colleague has ever written a card that makes me feel as validated as a friend and as a true professional that day. I got a cat in a box by another head. Rayn lots of fun using it as a piggy bank. My boss SMSed me from (I really dont know from where she was at that time) and said "Happy Birthday to a Skillful teacher". The best present came last, really late. It cam about a week after my birthday. For the very first time in my teaching career as a Head of Department, my teachers rallied and wrote me a card. They wrote from the heart and I felt jubilant. The card is below. I ended my day with dinner at home, prayers and checking my facebook. I almost passed out. 186 entries from present students, ex students, cousins, nephews, ex JC classmates, Army mates, ex Gan Eng Seng classmate, colleagues, friends from overseas, and many more...all wishing me a great  "Happy Birthday". 186!!! Wow that must be a facebook record for a teacher or anyone. To me it is. A thought, a concern shared, a word of thanks means so much and goes so far deep inside. It is the every fuel that ignites me to to do what I can for one and all.

Its been a blessed day, 14th July this day. Version 38 shutdowned at 11.15pm. Tired but happy and praise to Allah for his blessings, gifts and for surrounding me with niqmat of people who truly cares about me. I will try my best not to disappoint anyone for as long as I live. Insyaallah i will!

Picture on the left is me in action at Universal Studios. Faiz surprised me with a trip to Resorts World Sentosa as a birthday present. It was a fantabulous day. I enjoyed every single part of it. I got myself an Indiana Jones hat, wore my vacation shirt and with everyone onboard we had a great evening. Thanks Mama for a great gift!

Another pose here with the entire family. Behind is a circa 1960s US Police Car. The entire place gives a feel of Hollywood and glitzy Americana. I enjoyed it. Even with the battlestar galactica ride being down.

Farihah and Rizman joined us in the trip. It was fun for all. He helped me with the full family shots.  

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The Blind Side - What I shared with my students this week

I think the movie was essentially about the power of the family .We all know that one stick is strong, but when you have a bundle of sticks wound together, it is almost unbreakable. A family is where you heal your wounds, recharge, and laugh together. It is a place where the big is small and the small is big. What is interesting about the Blind Side was that Big Mike did not have a family that provided him with the above. He had a plastic bag with a T Shirt and laundromart to call home (because it's warm) and he shuffles from one couch to another. (The amazing thing about him is that he stays out of trouble throughout all his life). His adoptive family the Tuohy’s provided him with all that a family should. Besides the material aspect of things (a couch which later became a bed and a room, a driving license which later became a black pickup truck, a full time dedicated tutor and many more), they made him feel like a member of the family since Day 1. There is nothing about his size or colour of the skin that separates them apart. It was hilarious when Leigh Ann uncle called up and said ‘hey do you realise that there is a coloured kid in your family Christmas card?’.

I also liked the part when big Mike was on the bed listening to Leigh Ann read the story of Ferdinand the Bull to SJ, and Collins was by the door chuckling. Yes this is what a family does together. They connect. They connect with each other's heart all the time. It is through the heart that they become stronger than they are alone. Also in  family the big becomes small. Though Big Mike is still big lying on Leigh Ann Tuohy’s bed, he still lies down with SJ listening attentively to a ‘small child’s story’ on Ferdinand the Bull. This allowed Leigh Ann to connect. To bond, family must find time to connect with each other. They can't do this if they are rushing, lacking time or either parties find the activities too boring, too lame or too childish. (Sounds familiar). I have seen strong families connect with each other simply by discussing the events in a newspaper, having dinner and even while working out their differences. Such is the strength of a family that the pros outstrips the cons. Families celebrate every success that every member achieves. In the Blind Side, the entire family went out for dinner when Big Mike was about to play football. They also rally together when there is a problem. They help one another. SJ coached Big Mike in football. Sean the father told the coach that Big Mike never played a game when the coach was aghast at Big Mike’s inability to master American football. Even Collins, despite her friends' glares and consternations, sat with Big Mike in the library knowing that he would be alone. Yes that’s what rallying together means.

So the question to you is this- You can't change very much the dynamics of the family that you are in immediately. But I am sure you can influence members to appreciate each other, like Big Mike. However, more importantly, a family is an ideal I believe in. It can exist in many forms. Who is to say that you cannot have a ‘family’ in school. Look at the features and characteristics that families do to make each member strong like in the para above. Can you achieve them with your classmates? Teachers? I'd like to believe that I can be like Leigh Ann Tuohy (though I look real ugly in a skirt) . I am talkative, frankly, but more importantly, I will shake you till you wake up from your sleep, and shake you until you achieve your very best! (I also liked the part when at the ending Leigh Ann said ‘Michael if you get a girl to bear you children out of wedlock, I will drive over here and cut of your p**** ). Like Leigh Ann she loves Mike as much as her own children and spends as much time, money and effort with him. I also believe that if that you look around, you will see many more people like me. Mrs Poh, our VPs, your Form Teachers, your Mother Tongue teachers, the security guard uncle, your counselors, your subject teachers and many more people around you. Your friends are your siblings. If you count the number of hours you spend each day in school, you spend more time with your friends than with your own siblings. And remember when Big Mike scored 98 percent for protective instincts? He told Leigh Ann not to leave the car when they were in a bad neighbourhood. Families all over, real or imaginary, protect each other. They protect their weakest member. If you can never find it in yourself to protect someone else, you can never protect yourself or defend your values at all. It is wise to remember that all the time.

Also, as I have said the movie represents a certain standard of what a family should be. I have never had such a family when I was young. I knew from the very start what type of family I wanted to create. I looked out for a girl who was tough, independent and strong-willed. One who could take care of my family when I am not around. She was the girl that became my wife. In my family, like all others, I created the rules. No eating when watching TV. No legs on the car’s dashboard and many more. I wanted to create a family as was depicted in the Blind Side. A family where every member is strong and would lead inspiring lives on their own and one where my children can achieve more than I did. Being in teaching also allows me to create a second family, one that allows me to constantly come into contact with sixteen year olds, year in and year out. Through them I see the world in a whole different way. They recharge me and push me to give my very best and remind me that I am here to help them achieve what’s important to them in this leg of life’s journey. I take this mission with a sense of duty, privilege and humility. This is not about me.

I want to let you know that if you prepare yourself well from now into adulthood by developing your character, understanding your personal weaknesses, identifying and enhancing your strengths and acquiring good paper qualifications, living comfortably and appreciating every act of kindness that has been given to you and reciprocating them, you will ultimately, in the long term, develop into fine men and women of tomorrow. You can create good self-sustaining, nourishing  families that are even better that the one portrayed in the Blind Side. Even better than mine! The best part of the Blind Side was when Leigh Ann was in the company of her friends in the club and she was told after she ticked off her friends, ‘Leigh Ann you are making a big difference in the life of that boy’ What did Leigh Ann say in return? ‘No he is making a difference in mine’. It is a profound line that is difficult to explain. Strangely, it summarized the entire show. I only truly understood its meaning when I reached 36 years old!

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The second theme about the Blind Side that made me reflect a lot is the power of attitude. Yes you have heard me saying that often repeated cliché ‘your attitude determines your altitude’. Positive attitude attracts and influences others positively. Big Mike was never angry, he never shouted, even to his enemies. ‘I had to send him home..to the bus’ he told his coach. When life makes it hard for him, he simply closes his eyes, forgets about it, forgives others and moves on. There isn’t a shadow of emotional baggage that he carries with him. He accepted his hardships, his drug addicted mother, his many siblings, his lack of a proper education in his early years, and the dismissive teachers he faced at his new school simply did not make him angry or make him sympathise with himself. Yes he did something about it. He wrote. (Remember White Walls? He wrote: "Everywhere I see white….") He tries to make the best of everything he has and never complains. Ever wondered why he wanted the bumble bee Rugby Tee Shirts? (Ask me later I will explain!). Attitude is so powerful and if you display positive attitude it does two things. It strengthens you and primes you up for the challenges that you are to face. Secondly it attracts people to you. Because he never asked for anything, he was given. Yes the small things add up. He keeps his bed neatly, folds the sheets, sits at the table when the family watches Football during Thanksgiving. He never asked for a bed or anything in the beginning. The only time he asked for something was when he wanted a driving license. Why? (Ask me later!). His attitude led to a sense of confidence that made him strong. Because he was never rude, cynical, demanding, it made others attracted to his plight and to help him. His reluctant teachers in school became his biggest supporter by the middle of the show. His ‘most hated’ teacher (the one who couldn’t give him a B but only a D+ C minus) simply couldn’t believed his eyes when he wrote his literature paper on Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poem on ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’. His coach, and almost everyone else in his family and his tutor was more committed to help him because he was not a a demanding person. Often he doesn’t talk too much, he does things and shows his sincerity and effort. This makes others see him in a positive light.

Your attitude is something that you can control. Many parts of you like your face, your height, your physicality, who your family members at home are, are something you cannot control.

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But you DO HAVE control over how you display your attitude. You can mope around at home , write in your facebook wall about how sad or depressed you are, what things you want to buy, have purchased, food you have eaten and what naught, it affects your attitude and the attitude that others have towards you. The right attitude can nourish your soul and strengthen your character. Big Mike is so well developed in his character that he is strong enough to resist his gang members / family. He did not join them. He also goes back to his real mama, to protect her when she needs him. He is strong enough to accept the stares, the negative feedback, and all the nasty comments about him. But the opposite is also true. He is strong enough not to let all the compliments get into his head! He is humble, remains so, despite so many offers to play football from the university.He lets SJ negotiate on his behalf with all the top coaches (I like that part too! When all is done, he hugs his mama. And in true Big Mike way, he does it with a few words but with a lot of sincerity and genuineness. This is what all young people should aspire too.

I leave you with those two thoughts for the week. I wish you all the very best as you prepare for your Prelims and the O’s and more importantly the journey of life. Its not over until it is really over. And this journey is going to be a long one. It makes sense to have a family to go through this with you. Cheering and supporting you throughout. The only way that’s going to happen is when you demonstrate the right attitude. And it starts now.  

Yours Sincerely,

Mr Kamaludin B,
Your biggest supporter.
June 2010

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Camp Champ 2010, Cameron Highlands, Malaysia 12th to 15th March

I made this video for my students who went to Cameron Highlands Malaysia. We were trekking up Coral Hill and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Video was made using iMovie on a MacBook pro, during the trip and post editing done on the long bus trip home. I had two versions. One is the one you see here (the facebook version which is 19:58 in low definition) or the other one is in http://gallery.me.com/kmaludin/10005  which is in High Definition [HQ] and is 22 minutes plus long, complete with end credits.

I really understood my students even more after this trip. At some parts it was an emotional for me as I listened to their stories of anger, sorrow, lack of self control, joy, loss and friendship. I also shared time with colleagues with whom the busy-ness of everyday would not allow us to spend as much time connecting. And of coz Ada Poh was lovely. She reminds me so much of dada when she was at that age, the resemblance came through when she did the monkey bar and jumped to the ground upon completing. I was a great 4 days, well spent and 1 day recovering from sleep deprivation. Alhamdulillah!

Speech delivered to Anderson Secondary School students 8th March 2010 'Inspiring Monday - On Excellence'

Hello Everyone.

Welcome to week 10 of the last week of term and to the Sec 4s and 5s I like to remind you that today is Monday and that makes Friday just round the corner!

A very good morning to Mrs Poh, Mrs Koh , Mrs Goh, colleagues, boys and girls. The subject of my inspiring Monday is about an inspiring student whom I had the privilege of meeting and working with.

Many years ago, when I was teaching in a junior college, I was made the teacher in charge of the school’s air rifle club. In1998 I had a captain by the name of Zhou Quan. In those days air rifle competition was conducted with the competitor lying down, in a prone position and shooting an aluminum pellet at a paper target about 30 metres away. The score is calculated based on the number of bull’s eye that one can hit. As like in all the other CCAs, the air rifle team practiced really hard. They would be down in the rifle range practicing about thrice a week including Saturdays.

Enough to say that the team made it past the qualifying stages, then to the quarter finals and they made it to the semi finals. Once past the semi’s they were headed for the Nationals and at this stage the practices intensified. The day before the Nationals , like in the earlier rounds of the competition I asked Zhou Quan to name the 4 shooters and who will shoot for the school in the finals. As in the earlier rounds Zhou Quan would nominate the best shooters with the highest score in the practice sessions. When he submitted the final name list to me, I was surprised that his name was not in the list. A thought ran my head ‘Zhoe Quan was not injured, nor was he disqualified, so how could a captain not name himself in the final squad?” 

Do not get me wrong, Zhou Quan was one of the best shooter in the squad. He was consistent in practise. Furthermore he chalked up one of the personal highest score in the quarter finals. What was even more surprising was that he chose a junior member of the squad to replace him in the finals.I remembered asking Zhou Quan why he did not put down his name in the team list. He replied “Mr Kamal, I think based on the last few practise runs, my form is going down. Although my shooting is still pretty good, but I got a feeling that during the finals my form would be low. This may affect our team chances of clinching the gold medal’.

He also added “Its better that Jimmy (the junior member) take over my position. Jimmy has been shooting real good in the least few sessions and I believe he will not disappoint. These 4 shooters in the list are the best that the school has and they would do us proud, he reassured me”. Those were Zhou Quan’s words. At that moment it struck me that captains of CCA sports group don’t normally rule themselves out unless they are injured or otherwise. There’s too much pride to be lost if you are not in the team, what more in the team heading for the finals. In today’s terms it is like Raul, the captain of Real Madrid not selecting himself to play in the Championship League Finals. (assuming of course Real qualifies in the first place)

On the day of the National, I remembered that Zhou Quan huddling up the 4 shooters giving them advise. When it was time for the shooters to take their position, he went to the back of the rifle range. I remembered him shouting and urging his team mates as he stood behind the fence. I also remembered the look on the faces of the four shooters as they were about to shoot. They all turned back and nodded to their captain and later they nodded to each other. The nodded because they knew that this is the time to perform. Jimmy the replacement shooter turned his baseball cap to the back and he took aim. And he fired away.

The results? Well enough to say that the team won the gold. Not only did they take the A division title and the Gold medal, they also walked away with personal best records. Every shooter shot his personal best. Jimmy the replacement shooter shot his individual best and broke the National record. I believe his name still stands in the National 0.22mm air rifle , honour roll. The team was ecstatic. They ran to their captain and with high fives they hugged each other. Their teacher in charge was equally jubilant.

What is the moral of the story?
For this short story I believe you can tease out many lessons. One can say its about doing all that you can for the best for the team. For some the moral of the story is that personal pride takes a back seat when doing what is right. For all these and many more answers, you are correct.I was given the topic of excellence to share on this wonderful Monday morning, and to me the opportunity to lead and to make a difference in the lives of others is at the peak of personal excellence. According to Robert Cooper, “The act of making a difference and the ability to achieve results through people” is what a leader does.A good leader is not just someone who is the president, captain of a sport, staff sergeant , cadet lieutenant or class chairperson. These are people who hold a leadership position.On the other hand, someone who has no leadership position can also lead.

Whether you are the chairperson of your CCA or someone who has younger siblings, your ability to lead depends largely on the amount of influence you have over the people in your charge.Do not confuse having a leadership position with the act of leading, for the two are not the same thing.Leaders who lead always ensure that their words and deeds are consistent all the time, even when no one is watching They also are capable of doing what is right instead of what is popular. They are individuals who are capable of accomplishing what is difficult instead what is simply easy or convenient.They can achieve results with their team in good times and in bad times.

Leaders usually are the first to come for any training or practise sessions but they are also the last to leave. Before they leave they would help the coach pack up and clear the rubbish in the training area and at times when needed they would spend the extra time talking to their juniors and relating to their problems.William Shakespeare says this best in the play called the ‘Twelfth Night’ in Act II Scene V when he said. "Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them" For many of us we will not have the opportunity to be born great but we do have the ability to achieve greatness through hard work. We also can have greatness thrust upon us, if our actions are viewed appreciatively through the eyes of our followers. How then can a leader meet the high standards imposed onto him? Like Zhou Quan, who risked his reputation, his position as captain and to have missed out shooting in the national finals leadership is indeed about doing what is right for the team instead of what is convenient.

It is under those tough times and unexpected circumstances that decisions and actions can forge someone into an inspiring leader. If done wrongly or if a bad decision is made, or worse indecision takes place, then the individual would have failed the test of leadership. Those who pass the test, often has his or her actions echoing in the hearts and minds of many for a long time, including their teachers. Like what Spiderman’s uncle said to him, “with great powers, come great responsibilities’, a true leader does not blame others. He is not defensive. He exercises restraint and gives his 100% to his team. And when 100% is insufficient, he will dig deeper and squeeze and extra 10%. And when the team loses, he will be able to turn it into a victory .
He learns from every stumble and setback, often smiling hiding his fears or disappointment. To sum up,leadership is about “ Doing all you can to have the heart of a lion, the skin of a rhino, and the soul of an angel.”

At the end of the day, a leader knows that his job is done when other people think of integrity, when other people think of enthusiasm, when other people think of commitment, and when others think of caring, they think of you.
My message to all Andersonians whom I believe has the potential to be leaders of our nation is that you already are on you way there; For you belong to a school or an institution of distinction to inspire and serve. To inspire and serve others that is.And serving others or committing a life of service are what leaders do all the time ,for the leader is already in you with or without an official title
For those who have a leadership position remember that as more privileges and entitlements are accorded to you, your peers expect much more of you in terms of meeting their high standards of service and duty. Do try your very best in making a difference in the lives of others.
In fact don’t try, just do it. Have a curious mind. Have a listening ear. Have an open heart.
Every Andersonian is born an original.
Knowing you were born to make a difference in the world.
And with constancy and purpose, I believe you can and you will .
Have a great week ahead!

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Post script : Zhou Quan I believe did Chemical Engineering in Princeton. I was one of his character referees who wrote his personal attribute statements. He is with A - Star. I believe he would have completed his PhD. Last call I got from him was to go karting in Jurong with the other air rifle members. Thanks to Elaine for being my air rifle CCA mentor. I remember fondly the days when I was a beginning teacher in RJ, back in Mount Sinai campus with. Auspicium Melioris Aevi!!

 
 
 

3E3 pure history class in action.

8:21 AM Thursday, August 16, 2007 16082007953

Pure history classes have always remained small. Here class of Sec 3 2007. IN pic we have Huzaifah, Xian yao in the front and Martin, Shaun, Chun hao and Madon (rear, l-r)

Raffles Junior College, 2A01E year 1997-1998

Mr K with his darlings.

Ok peeps, thx for all the comments in the earlier class pic. I was clearing my house when I chanced this pic. Brings fond memories ya?

Swiss 2007 My Goals

Ok my teaching duties in Swiss this year include SS and history for Sec 3E, 3N. I will be teacing them both Elective and Pure History. 3N2 is a challenging class to teach with 45 students and 3N1/2 I have 50 highly exciteable kids doing history with me. I still have a class of 16 Sec 4E4 students doing pure history. (last batch). And this is a dynamic bunch to teach. And yes 3E6 (which I heard lots of goo stuff about) I am excited of teaching Southeast Asian history and am looking forward to simplify what I have taught in JC to my students. Wont be easy to translate economic modality and ethnic nationalism, but thats the fun of teaching - making things simple without being simplistic (Dr Hari Singh - FP Analysis PS204). I am also revamping all of my SS notes and trying to use more LMS support in my teaching. This year, Iwill try my best to crack teaching of judgement questions to my students. I am exploring the use of movies in getting them to think about the human psyche and their relationsip with their society. I am also trying to get a Swiss Advanced Elective program going. (modelled after US AP Program). I am thinking of naming it Globalisation Studies. Anyway those are things in the pipeline and will try to shake off all work stress by exercising and running more in 2007. WIsh me luck!

Caught this on Swiss Cottage Security Camera

4:26 PM Wednesday, July 26, 2006 26072006370

This pic was taken sometime in July this year. Our OM Capt Khoo alerted me and boy, I must add, of all the critters out there I hate the common gecko with its slimy body and mercury glistening body...yucks!

2AO1D Class of 1998

9:44 PM Saturday, December 23, 2006 Scan0030-1

Ok every story has a beginning and every beginning is worth sharing. Its the Dec hols and I managed to dig up my old pics. And this is really a precious one. My career in teaching (I mean the official MOE salaried one) began on May 1999, when I was posted to take charge of the lot above. I was their civics tutor (form teacher by a fanciful name) and yes one thing that struck to me was the building and colour schemes of RJC in Mount Sinai: green, black and white. It remained unchanged ever since I was a student back in 89. That would make me a J8 I guess to this lot, in other words I was o26 yrs old, idealistic, filled with bright ideas on how history was to be taught. My principal was the simply hugable Lee Fong Seng and yes this was the class that I made most mistakes with. This was the guinea pig class that many experiments in history, GP and civics lesson fell flat and did not work to plan. But what made it worthwhile was the appreciation in their eyes that I had tried my best. Sadly over the years I lost contact with all of them, but recently I met Ignatius Low, though we promised to catch up, I never had the time to do so. I remember clearly Joseph Wong Kok Sen, simply one of the most intelligent individual I met (read of his letters in the press) and of course news that Elizabeth Yeo was married. (I still remember her mum as an NUH staff nurse). Strange somehow teachers like myself can still remember how each and everyone of my students' handwriting looks like. Thank you also to Jeanette Yeo for inviting me to her JTC award ceremony. I am proud of her achievement.(you must have completed LSE by now) But hey, if anyone of you has any news, whereabouts of anyone pictured above please let me know and keep me updated yar?. Yes and I still remember Mark Kwek with his suicidal Chinese essays, Hannah Kung, Michelle, Lillian, Christine, Priscilla?. Anyway, enuf said.. the only thing I guess I did right was to sign off my lecture notes as wingmaker.. Teaching history in RJC at Mount Sinai was a joy and entering a class for history tutorial Paper 6 at 4.10 pm with the musty smell of the classroom at Level 3..was a daunting task for any new 26 yr old teacher, but with this bunch of motley crew and fifteen charming girls it was simply the best teaching experience of my life. Thanks for the memories. Auspicium Melioris Aevi.