De one with Education Saga (Ep3)

Episode 3:
After a few weeks of break, the education saga is back again!
Yup, I must agree that must have been a long break and not forgetting, our patrons must have awaited for the continual installation of the exclusive featured saga.

To provide a background for those who've just tuned in, the last two installations talked about Jason's education journal throughout kindergarten education.

We couldn't agree more that it was pretty interesting plus abit of kin affection and bits of the child's unforgettable virgin taste of victory. Once again, we have Jason here to fetch us more into the next 6 years of education in primary school.

Now, Jason, care telling us which institution were you enrolled into for your 6 years of primary education?

I was in Ang Mo Kio Primary School from 1992 till 1997. From which I graduated with my PSLE of grades 2As and 2Bs.

Apparently, the primary school shifted its building twice. I recall receiving my Pr. 1 and 2 in the previous Mayflower primary school campus (used to be behind Bowen Secondary School at AMK Ave 3). After which, Pr 4 till PSLE examinations were all at the site where the new Mayflower secondary school is located.

That's pretty good introduction. *laughter*
Well, you mentioned you were pretty reliant on your family members back in k1 and 2. How did you cope when you were in Primary 1 or 2 then?

Surprisingly, I managed to stop crying when I didn't get to have my granny by my side all the time. However, my granny and poor cousin always made a trip to visit my during recess time. And we managed to contact each other since the canteen and the outside premises were only seperated by a hall-lengthened gate. My granny told of that I didn't know how to order food from the canteen. Omg. *Blush*

Another thing to include, my granny had to accompany me to and fro school even till primary 5. Remember she'll carry my heavy bag...

Aww...

Ya.. and it was really.. I'm really overly grateful for her taking care of me. I recall my teachers used to complain about the overly heavy bags I carry to school because I was a very Kia si ( Scare of dying or losing in Hokkien) conscientious student.

Well... Haha..what about Pr 6?

Oh.. I found a friend, Qiu Luan, this girl who I would got to school and back everyday. Well... we were good friends.. I know what you're going to ask.. but we were no further than just friends. =)

What about getting your own food? Were there any trouble?

Back then.. Yes initially.. until progressive Pr 2 or 3 onwards, it got better as I adapt to the place.

I remember my pocket money was $1.20. Hehe. 50 cents for curry puff. 50 cents for Yakult drink and the remaining 20 cents was spend on a packet of salty biscuit. Seriously, I don't know why I only stick to eating curry puff. Hehe.

As I advanced into higher primary.. I learn how to order noodles (yellow noodles in soup with lots of chili) and even a packet of fries from the malay store. Ooh..and fruits.. watermelon.. my favourite back then.. with a generous sprinkle of sour plum powder.. yummy!

Watermelon with sour plum powder..haha that's something special..
From our understanding, the concept of having students to join core curriculum activities (formerly known as ECA : Extra-curriculum activities) was introduced during your primary 3 or 4 years. Throughout those years, which ECAs were you involved in? And perhaps, share your experiences and feelings?

Oh. Joined Computer Club in Pr. 3 and 4. I didn't know what else to join since I wasn't a sporty person. It was nothing much. Just learning how to type words into this old version of software which allows us to print out banners on A4 size paper. It was really pretty back-dated.

Then during my last two years, I joined Choir as I was pretty inclined to the Arts and music. Initially, I wanted to join the band. However, the timings clashed as I was in the afternoon shifts. So the only thing left was to land myself in choir.

It was pretty interesting. I can't remember how I got through it. But there's a particular song I hate the most as the teachers rehearse us over and over again, in preparation for a school performance. Omg. The song was.. I think.. Orchid song..

There were others I wanted to join. For example AVA club.

Oh! Not forgetting, I performed well during this Safety Pedestrian Test that I was selected to be a road monitor during Pr. 5 and 6. Haha.

Road monitor.. wuao.. Jason, you had your first victory in puzzle fixing during nursery education. So what achievements did you achieve during your primary school days?

I'll just name a few... Hmm.. I was enrolled in a Hand-writing competition during Pr 2. Think I won consolation prize. Omg.

I scored pretty high for my project for social studies twice during Pr 4 and 5. Primary 4's project I submitted a statue of Sir Stamford Raffles (which was ruined by some naughty kids) with major help from my late-mummy. *grin* Primary 5's project was entirely done by me. It was a hand drawn world map on a styrofoam board. Then I slit standing pieces of paper on which places or significant landmarks of different countries were drawn it. Got the idea from the sticker gift set on my trips overseas back then.

As usual, for arts, I was involved in a few inter-school competition such as representing school in a national arts competition (didn't win *sob*) and mirror-drawing (got consolation prize because all my teammates weren't cooperative) =\

I see.. I see..
Speaking of which, alot of us will never forget the agony, otherwise, most feared event during our primary school years - Immunisation (aka BCG injection). Maybe you may tell us your personal experiences?

It was during primary 1. Omg. I was nervous but amazingly, I didn't cry on twice occasions. Ha!
I could never forget, the atmosphere was very tense as we didn't know what to expect. During my first immunisation, they kept telling us, it will just feel like an ant bite. Well..it turned out to be as described (for me) and after which will be accompanied by a burning effect beneath the skin.

And of course, it was pretty an "eye"opener to see tall and bigger sized boys crying after the injection. Omg. Hehe.

Thankfully, I only had one BCG injection mark. Hehe.

Strong and healthy boy! Haha.

Huh.. no lah *blush* Perhaps it's because of this that I didn't grow tall..

Oh my.. No! It's a mis-perception. Jason, were you ever punished during Primary schooling days?

Oh.. yes! Embarrassingly, during Pr 3, I was given a slap on the face because I was really mischievous. My former teacher told us to keep quiet and she counted down 3, 2, 1 before she takes any disciplinary action. Out of my mind..or for the fun of it, I "parroted" after her counting down. End up, I got slapped.

And more importantly, I DETEST prefects back then. I remember I'll make life difficult for them, make funny faces at them because prefects were impressioned to be snobs and "tripods" (translation from "Sah Ka" in Hokkien meaning Bootlickers). Frankly, I don't know why I dislike them so much. Haha.

Omg, Jason.. can't imagine you as a noti-boy.

Well, it's even unexpected. During Pr 6, I actually mix and hang around playgrounds with those ah Bengs and ah Lians after school. I even associated myself in a "family game" with them. Omg. Now that I think back.. I MUST HAVE BEEN OUT OF MY MIND. Hehehe

... but why you didn't turn bad?

Well.. perhaps it's due to my up-bringing. Must be thankful to my parents and granny.
*tearing in my eyes*

Nan Ren bu Huai, Nui ren bu ai... so were there any girls you like during then?

Err..hehe.. I liked this easy-going and outspoken girl, Samantha.. she was pretty. Well.. it was just mere childish crush. I remember she like the Spice Girls.. that's when I started to listen and kinda like Spice girls back then. Craze...

*Laughter*

Well, it's about time we wrapped up this episode. In our next episode, we will be bringing you insights to Jason's favourite primary school teachers and more - adventurous events!!

To be continued...