Not Again?!

I went for my major blood test today at the CDC (Communicable Disease Centre). Apparently despite the externally harmless look, my platelet and WBC has dropped significantly again, meaning any small wound would quickly turn to a hemorrhagic monster.

What?! Not again?!

But I look and feel alright! Is this some cruel joke or conspiracy by the Gar'ment to cheat me of my money? (Anyway since I'm in NS, the Gar'ment pays for everything, which would normally cost me around 200 - 300 bucks! Working for the Gar'ment ain't that bad after all. =P)

And so now after receiving the latest news on my blood count, I gotta return to the CDC tomorrow for another series of blood test. (Not again?!)

5 Blood tests.

Perhaps they've found a biological weapon in my blood, and they hope to germinate it for use in NBC warfare. =) (Okie I’m getting pretty lame here.)

Well, the loss of blood has not stopped me from enjoying a fulfilling life these few days. It's hard earned 5 days worth of MC, and staying home makes me feel worse. So I've been taking short walks around, going for swims in order to keep myself active and to fight away the lethargic feeling.

And I've been taking care of my nephew's education for the past few days.

I never realize that teaching can be so fun after all. My little nephew is in kindergarten, and he's been trying out some assessment books. Perhaps it's a curse, but i realized that the males of my bloodline are quite bright; they're just lazy to use their heads. With every difficult question encountered, he'll come running to me, expecting me to give him the correct answer.

Think twice, heh.

I always believed that teaching can only be done with active participation. Instead of staring and answering tonnes of questions that I guess my nephew don't even understand, i would prefer and more enjoyable and interactive learning environment. Truly, as the teaching advertisement goes - the world is my classroom. It was time well spent, as i taught him the nature of the English tongue (despite my inability to completely grasp many concepts), the foundations of forming sentences, and most important to answer questions objectively... Here's an example:

Forming Correct Sentences
Dom: So can you describe my table?

Nephew: Table is five.

Dom: ??? Okie, you got to describe my table, like what's on it, what colour is it...

Nephew: Table is wood.

Dom: Almost there, but you got to use the correct sentencing, like "Your table is....?" My table is what?

Nephew: Your table is five.

Dom: *Puzzled look* Why is my table five? Five what?

Nephew: Your table is five wood.

Dom: Okie let's try another one.... What's on my table?

(He stares for a very very long time at my table, and says "Messy" I couldn't help but give a grin. =p)

Dom: Okie good, my table is messy, so how do you complete the sentence?

Nephew: Your table is messy.

Dom: Gotcha!

(Dom sheds a drop of tear, finally after an hour of learning and criticizing his table, Dom's nephew finally got it. Advance Britannia!)

Well, to be honest, it’s really fun to watch him figure out things, and I weep for him – the Singapore Education System has made him a non-risk taker at such a young age. While answering the simplest question, he always checks with me. And I’ll just tell him the same thing over and over again…

“Just write! There’s no right or wrong answer!”

There was an assignment where he had to imagine he had a dog, and he had to give his imaginative dog a name, and he asked me “How to do huh? What is the correct name?”

“It’s your own imaginative dog; you can give it any name you want.”

“Spot? How bout Spot?”

“Yes, Spot’s a good name.”

“Really? Spot really can ah?”

“Yes! Yes! It’s your dog!”

Sigh, the Singapore education system has robbed him of the power to imagine.

And I now seek to restore that beautiful thing that should accompany him in his childhood years.