Counting down for birthday!! (not so soon, but I'm in contemplative mood already)

Perhaps it is true that as one gets older, birthday feels more 'normal'. It's just one of the other days.

However, I still refuse to be 'normal' on my birthday. hahaha. I think birthday is a good opportunity to review my new year's resolutions, to revise my resolutions if necessary, and to remember and put them into actions if I have not done so.

For me, being 24 gives me a different feeling. I guess because this is a gentle reminder for me that I'm officially not-a-college-girl anymore. Hahaha. It's easy to remember this age because among my close friends and me, our mothers were married or expecting 'us' when they were 24. So there's a cultural expectation that we need to seriously grow up and stop thinking about ourselves. Even though my close friends and I are not married yet, we know that we are not happy-go-lucky-girl anymore (if it means that one just needs to think of herself). We are happy, but part of our happiness is a continuous awareness that we need to learn to be a better people, to serve our parents, families, & friends in a better way, and to be wiser. ^^

It's easy to say, but it's hard to do it.

However, that's precisely the reason for me writing this thought on my blog. This is something important for me and my friends. In case any of us forgets how important it is to grow up and to be less selfish, I can read this post again and remind myself.

=)

7 Quick Takes Friday - Vol.33

- 1 -

It's been a week since Ash Wednesday. I tried to tell myself to start anew again each day.
I think the most difficult mortification so far is to fight my negative thoughts.

- 2 -

On a positive note, on Wednesday, I finally saw the joy in my work again. I was so happy after our team meeting because I realized that this massive data of observation study is very valuable. (Even though transcribing and cross-checking them is a pain =P) I am also looking forward to visiting Duke-NUS to see MRI and fMRI with my boss's class.

- 3 -

I found a part-time Diploma in Counselling degree. It's the only affordable part-time study, however, I'm not sure how useful an additional diploma degree because this programme doesn't include the internship (which is an important requirement to be recognized as a counsellor). I also found interesting Master's degree (part-time) in early childhood. However, money matters. It's so expensive.

I've realized that I have only two options: have sufficient money to pay the tuition fee OR wait (again), be PR, get a relevant job, sent to higher degree courses, and bonded for at least three years.

None of the options works for now.

- 4 -

At one point, I was sooo tempted to ask my parents if I can borrow money from them to further study.
However, I don't think it's a wise option for now.

- 5 -

At another moment, I was tempted to think how good it is to have a simple and super-small wedding and use the money to do postgraduate study instead.

- 6 -

As a conclusion, I'm not at the right state of mind to make any major decision at this point of time. Hahaha. So I've decided to dream (again), rather than to bury my dream.

I start to recall the days when I want to do clinical psychology and I wonder what makes me shift my interest to early childhood.

Another thing is I'm still young, so to be honest, it is okay not to do further study NOW or to specialize now. I just need to expand my expertise and to experience more so I slowly know what I want to specialize in. Basically I already know what I like: children, language, culture, education, and special needs education =) You want to know my 'silly dreams'? Here's the summary:

#1 Open my own clinic at home

The reason I chose psychology was because I was aspiring to be a behavioral therapist for children with autism. As I learn more about autism and clinical psychology, I am aware that to be an 'independent' psychologist, a real psychologist (not a Social Scienctist), I do need a clinical psychology degree to have the expertise in administering assessment and planning interventions.

That was the start of interest in clinical psychology.

#2 Open an inclusive preschool for both typically developing children and children with special needs

The idea is a one-stop preschool that has the normal curriculum, yet it also has in house speech therapy, occupational therapy programme, and early intervention. Depending on the profile of the children, they may be assigned to different classes during mathematics, language, or science, but they will be in one class during play time, meal, arts and craft, physical education, story-telling =)

All teachers must know the development of typical and atypical developing children.
This is difficult.

When I browsed National Institute of Education (NIE) website, what I've found was a very specific diploma in special needs OR mainstream school. At the same time, there are only a few options of special needs school in Singapore. The good thing about Singapore is they have this job called Allied Educator to assist children with mild special needs who are in mainstream schools, yet I feel that in preschool level, it is the best way to let the children mingle with each other. It is because at that age, they see all children in the same manner, regardless of their conditions.

#3 Empowerment through arts

Jiahhh..sounds like government campaign =P

Anyway, I really like arts. I dance, but I don't dance well enough to be a dancer =P and I'm not good enough to be a dance teacher. HAHAHAHA.

But I like organizing arts events =) (1 year tears and laughter of preparing NUANSA'10: This Earth of Mankind is irreplaceable).
and I like kids! So I would love to be involved in some kinds of musicals for children. Healthy entertainment for children hahaha

- 7 -

Yesterday I met up with my hall friends. Sooo glad to laugh out loud with old friends. One of my seniors is getting married in May and another married senior joined us yesterday and kinda 'test' the soon-to-be-married friend with interview questions, such as "Why do you want to get married?" hahaha.

Btw, Last Sunday I finally went to River Safari!! The queue to board the boat at the Boat Ride was around 40 minutes (ssst, not worth it!). Lucky we didn't need to pay because my company has a corporate pass. The good thing about River Safari is everything is sheltered, so you don't feel too tired. It was really really relaxing. Yeah, this was Paul's birthday celebration (very 'biology' right?) I enjoyed listening to him about this fish that fish or this crocodile or that turtle, even though one week later I forget what those species are called. Ooops..

I enjoyed Zoo and the SEA Aquarium more though =)

More quick takes at Jen's blog!!

Dreams that you should work on

I have lots of dreams that I have not started to work on. So meanwhile, let's just throw these things here and while I'm working on them, please feel free to take these dreams. :)

1. To set up inclusive preschool!
I think an inclusive preschool is a good opportunity to let the typically developing children and children with disabilities interact with each other. Naturally they are still so innocent and experiencing that each child is just like another child with the same dignity. Of course we need competent teachers and therapists :) At least children can have interaction during meals and arts or physical exercise :)

2. To have a travel blog with list of Mass schedule
Also includes spots that are family-friendly :)

3. To translate spiritual reading books to Indonesian language

^^