Thursday, September 22, 2011

3%

To be precise 3.22%. That's my daughter's probability of entering one of the missionary schools in Singapore.


Those who are familiar with Singapore education system will understand that getting into a good school in Spore is not easy. While the definition of good school is subjective (whether your focus is academic or holistic or both), eventually it boils down to the fact that, if you think the school is good enough for your children, other parents will also think the same way! When it happens, the fairest way to decide which kids will be accepted by the schol is to draw lots. And there comes the word that most sporean parents dreaded most: ballot!
Having grown up in a neighborhood schools ourselves, my husband and I were relaxed to our choice of school. Our first choice of school for my son the last time? The least popular school in our area, so that my son would be the top student in the school. Yes, it's true, shallow us! It took some colleagues and friends to convince me otherwise. Their reasoning, "Would you let your son be the big fish in a small pond or a small fish in a big ocean?" So off went the small pond, and to the big ocean he went.

For Big N, his school registration was a breeze. The shool was away from residential area, thus lesser children around the area. We were also in the earlier phase of registration as we were related to the church. He was accepted without any ballot, as the number of students who applied is equal to the number of vacancy opened for that phase of registration. Blessed child was he!
It is another story for my little girl, though. Our criteria of school for little N: morning session, missionary school. Simple? Oh...wait until you read further.

I knew right from the beginning that the school that we aimed at was quite a popular school. But, the school is also strong in art, something that my daughter has strong interest at. Another missionary school equally far to our vicinity only had afternoon session, which was why it was not in our shortlist.

But when people heard that I intend to send little N to this school, they were like: Oh no, you won't get in. You don't stay nearby, and did you see the balloting history?

I said to hubby, "I am going all in for her!". I am chinese, gambling is in my DNA. She only had one chance to get into so-called "good" school, I would take it for her. If she had to go through balloting, so be it. If she still did not get it, well, it's just not meant to be. But I know that I've tried my best to give her chance to go to good school.
We were in phase where everyone who is the member of the church could register. All of us have the same opportunity. So l was thinking, I had to be ahead of the queue. I would pray months in advance for my little N. So, starting from 1 Jan 2011, I started my novena, non-stop 9 day novena and rosary, over and over until the day of the registration.

The registration for our phase was for 2 days. I went to the school on day 1, just to get it over and done with. On day 2, I called the school to find out the result of the registration. The person who answered the phone was nice, "Are you in 1-2 km? You're not? You're above 2 km? Only 1 successful, 16 applicants. Balloting on Fri!" I hanged up the phone. My heart sank.One over sixteen, and we're not citizen, we only had 1 ballot slip, versus 2 ballot slips for citizen. I took up my calculator, 3.22% probability. There was no way she could get into the school! My mind raced, I had to review my plan B. Plan B was to send her to small pond school. I went to the 1st choice school website, to get some update if any. The website displayed, "Whatever happens, remains always in peace and trust in God! It will be given to your faith, your hope and your charity, and even beyond that!" At that point of time, ! had a strange feeling that the message was directed straight at me. I took a deep breath! Okay..I would trust in God, but would go ahead with plan B, just in case.

I went on to talk to some parents who sent the children to small pond school to ask for curriculum details on that school. Not impressive, but well..it's plan B, wasn't it?
The next day, it just dawned on me. If it was not meant to be, then, why would there be the one vacancy left? That is the moment that really struck me: maybe there is hope..maybe God is trying to say something to me. Maybe...she would get it! I took a deep breath and said to myself, "be positive, kept on praying, fingers crossed. It is not over until it is over!" It's the ordeal of not knowing, and learning to trust and believe and have faith.
A night before, I told Y that I would go to the school to see the ballot process. He was against the idea because of several reason. One, they only balloted one name, so it would take less than a minute to finish the whole process, while I needed to take a detour to school and  go back to office later. Two, it would be embarassing if I fainted on the spot and had myself featured in the local newspaper the day after. I figured that he had a point, and decided to go to office instead. The balloting would take place at 8 am on Fri (July 22). I would imagine that they would start on time, with all the protocols like principal introduction and all, the ballot itself would take place at around 8.10-8.15 am. One parent (who volunteered to pick up the ballot slip) would take the slip and pass it to the principal to be read and verified and it should take maybe a minute. After that, the staff needed to settle down all the administrative work before she called the lucky parent(s). I would expect them to call me by 8.34 am, or I would call them at 9 am to confirm.

At 8.29 am, my phone rang, it's the school's number. I picked up the phone, my heart was beating so fast, my hands trembled. I could not remember what she said, but I only remember this part, "Congratulations! Your daughter...xxxxxxxx...the confirmation is going to be sent...xxxxx!" I only remember the word congratulations and I knew that my girl got it. I was thinking...a miracle has happened, and I said, "Oh my God!" many times until the staff hanged up the phone! My little girl would go to the school that we have always wanted. Blessed child was she! Very very blessed.

I know one thing that whatever hunch I've got while waiting for the result was right. That I should remain in peace and trust in God. Now she's in equal footing with the brother. I have given her the basic kick start, good school. The rest is up to her. I just hope that she appreciates the chance given to her from higher authority. Mind you, only divine intervention can make it possible for her. With my luck, the best prize I've ever won was a $50 shopping voucher!
Now that I have secured my 2 kids in our school of choice, I can safely go around and share my tips to other parents. Granted, my tips may not be conventional, but hey, they do work.

So, here they are:

How to get into the school of your choice (exclude meritocracy and financial means):

1. Pray and storm the highest authority with your prayers! I would suggest that you start 6 months early.

2. Ask your children to pray along with you

3. Ask your friends, families, massage lady, colleagues, a new colleague you have just met, to pray for your kid as well.

4. Go ahead and prepare for plan B, but never lose sight on your first goal.

4. Be a vegetarian for a week.

5. Ask your husband to shave his head if you can secure a place (well, timing wise, it looked like we planned this ahead. But my husband has already committed himself to "Hair for Hope 2011" long before, but the shaving day was on the weekend we got the balloting result.) It's like we ask him to shave his head if his precious daughter was accepted in a school.

6. Be a kindred spirit, and do good deed. I believe that what goes around will come around.

7. Trust, believe, and have faith!

Oh well..until the time when she has to go to secondary or university!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Virgin Toothlessness

Toothless Nad


Yes, now it's little N's turn!
Isn't she particularly cute in her state of toothlessness?
She will turn six in another 2 months, by the way!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

But Life Goes On...


Yes it does, but that is what makes our loss much more intensely profound...because you're no longer here with us, Ma!

Sometimes, I wonder about the life that I used to have with you. A life full of laughter and happiness, where did it go, Ma? I hang on to every piece of evidence that I can get, yellowish pictures of your younger days, videos that had you on them, your handwriting, your old bags and clothes. Still, you're not here with us.

Now I don't cry as much as I did. But, some things are still bringing such pain into my heart. Memories of your last moment here, celebrating Christmas and Chinese New Year without you, things that I want to share with you but can't.

Oh well, Ma. I know that life will still go on. I've got so much things to do in this life. Things that I want to pass on to your grandchildren. Things that I learned from you.
But I wish you were here with us, Ma. I really do wish that with all my heart.

Look Ma, look at the pussy willow that I had for chinese new year. See all the leaves  that came out out of those branches? Spring has already come now...winter has passed! But how we miss you. So much..so much..