Elliot, our eldest son has sat for his UPSR this year and the timing was just perfect, his birthday was on 15 September, 4 days after the UPSR. The pressure to do well in government exam in Malaysia is quite standard. As parents, we like to encourage him to grow naturally and hopefully at the speed that the school wants him to. This year, the sacrifice we have made, well, as a family are quite substantial.
- We even stopped subscription to Astro Disney Channel where Christabel has to endure the suffering of "why no cartoon on TV?". The kids must say thank you to Beijing Olympics and Daddy, for in his insistence, that mum got the subscriptions back for Sports and Disney Channel only !
- Computer games are out of the questions, there is no need to ask about them. They are not allowed except for very special reasons at very short time span.
- Family holidays are only at the nearest distance and shortest time frame (1 night away) as we have to send him for some special class or tuition.
Well, we are quieter as a family. Things are done to the minimum. Elliot is able to cope on his own with some extra classes and that is very good for him. The disappointing part is the Exam paper for Chinese (Paper 1), it is utterly disappointing to see how a group of examiners who set questions above the "already-difficult" standard of Chinese. Then, expect the next generation of Chinese to grow up loving the language.
This is the greatest irony of all, Chinese Examiners made the paper difficult and what these group of kids will remember forever in their hearts is that "Chinese is so HARD to learn!". If you are not smart then it is better that you don't take up Chinese. We will end up with fewer people who favour to go through the hardship of learning Chinese! Who is winning ?
Anyway, here are some photos of his birthday celebration !
PARTY TIME !
Dad gave Elliot the Birthday Prayer
All ready for the Party !
Food Time !
Game Time
Game Time - Who is 5 cents ?
Happy Birthday !
Opening Presents Time !
