Maya’s Memory Story

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Maya’s Memory Story
I was observing my 12-year-old daughter Maya incessantly memorise facts about the Opium war, and I was quick to say, “What for ?” I am a believer of what Seth Godin said, “Anything that can be looked up is not worth memorising.” Maya can easily look up such facts when she needs them. But I was wrong. Yes, she may not need…
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We missed this about online learning

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We missed this about online learning
  I am reading an article in Her Words titled “I’m Teaching Into a Vacuum: 14 Educators on Quarantine Learning.” In this article 14 educators share their feelings, experiences and opinions about teaching online. There is one particular teacher whose words grabbed my attention. In particular, the line “Teaching is so nuanced – you get to know your kids well enough that…
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Identity Story

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Identity Story
I am Jane and I am 41 years old. is a very different statement than I am Jane, 41 years old and I am a runner. In the first case, there’s not a lot I can tell about your “am”. It gives me some facts about you and no real insight in to your character. In the second, I get to know…
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Where are the images that tell stories?

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Where are the images that tell stories?
After my routine, long run that weekend, I was looking forward to the usual family breakfast tradition. However, that day, I decided to takeaway breakfast because COVID- 19 seemed to show signs of continued spread. I was being careful. As I was leaving the lobby of our apartment building for the car park, I saw an ambulance pull up. My heart skipped …
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Is crying when communicating the right thing to do?

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Is crying when communicating the right thing to do?
March 25, “May I have a minute?” asked Singapore’s National Development Minister Lawrence Wong in the parliament as he choked and teared up while acknowledging and thanking the healthcare workers and the unsung heroes all over the Island for all that they were doing to wage the war against COVID-19. It was equally uplifting to see MPs in the House thump their …
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I want to be Popular Story

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I want to be Popular Story
When I was growing up only credible people became popular. And to become popular they had to have done something in life. There was a strong barrier to entry in to the playground called, ‘for popular people only” Social media changed everything, it now allows people to become popular without having done very much. Here are some new popularity tactics Vanity will…
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The Meaningless Stock of Skills

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The Meaningless Stock of Skills
For Yoky Matsuka, childhood was a period of confusion and blur. Growing up in Japan in the 1970’s everything seemed laid out for her in advance. Her parents believed in the importance of sports in her development and pushed her into competitive swimming at a very early age. They also had her take up the piano. For other children in Japan it…
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The Power of Amor Fati

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The Power of Amor Fati
Up until a month ago I knew nothing about Amor Fati, what it meant, what was the origin or relevance but over the last one month I have  tried to build a meaningful relationship with this term which is centuries old. It is one of those terms the power of which is witnessed when practiced not when explained. The great German philosopher …
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A story about a fish shop & virtual learning

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A story about a fish shop & virtual learning
There are many shops to buy fish from in a wet market but there is one that always has a long queue of people waiting. I have always thought to myself, why do people wait in a queue at this shop when there are many other shops selling an equally good product? This picture is of the fish shop I mention in…
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