Watching Michael Jackson in concert The Last Time on TV, seeing him jumping up and down the stage, dancing his famous moves, singing his famous songs, fans screaming - it's very hard to imagine that he is no longer alive. The King of Pop dead at the age of 51. The world mourns him, his fans devastated, and tomorrow morning at 12.50am Perth time Channel 7 will be airing his memorial live. A million fans missed out on tickets to attend his memorial, more devastation!
Growing up in the 80s, I enjoyed listening to his songs. When I started my teaching career I used his songs for lessons. I also watched him changed from this sweet little African-American boy into this young man with a pretty face. From the catchy Billy Jean song, his famous moonwalk, his sparkling glove to his famous Neverland, he was indeed the most famous pop star ever lived.
But ahh, he is gone now. It's sad that a person who rattled the world with his songs and his moves died so young. He was making a final comeback with a series of tour, but he didn't make it. I suppose when it's your time to go, you go. I admit I didn't follow much of his news in the last few years of his life. I remember the scandal with kids and the fact that he got married and had 3 kids, and the plastic surgeries he went through to fix his face.
People will remember him for many years to come. Fans will sing his songs, imitate his moves. He is after all the King of Pop.
Michael Jackson (1958 - 2009 ) - his legacy will live forever.
Monday, 6 July 2009
Saturday, 4 July 2009
Reading reading everywhere...
On the bus, on the train, at the park, everywhere!
The reading habit is a good habit to cultivate, you can read anywhere and anytime. You don't need a lot of money (if you get your books from the library, or read the local newspaper.. haha), and you don't need special gadgets. You can lose yourself in the story, let your mind wander with the plot and the characters. What a way to pass your time!
I envy people who can read on the bus. I read a few pages and get dizzy!!! What a bummer!!!
On the bus, on the train, at the park, everywhere!
The reading habit is a good habit to cultivate, you can read anywhere and anytime. You don't need a lot of money (if you get your books from the library, or read the local newspaper.. haha), and you don't need special gadgets. You can lose yourself in the story, let your mind wander with the plot and the characters. What a way to pass your time!
I envy people who can read on the bus. I read a few pages and get dizzy!!! What a bummer!!!
Friday, 26 June 2009
Lament of an English teacher
On my way to work in the morning I used to share a bus with a woman from the Middle East. What made me noticed her in the first place was not where she originated from, but what she had in her hands! Every morning on the bus she would take out an IELTS book and do a bit of reading and grammar exercise.
Yes, she is here to study English!
It dawned on me that she had flown a few thousand miles, left her home, family and friends to come to an English speaking country to learn English! (Well, probably she is studying English because she has to pass the IELTS exams in order to secure her working visa, but that's not what I am getting at here) So then, what's so special about that you ask? My mind wandered back to the time I was teaching English back home, and how I and countless other English teachers like me tried our very best to teach the future generations to learn the language, to speak the language, to read the language.. to embrace the language. We did songs, role play, debates, story telling, games etc..My students had the opportunity to study English Free of Charge, but sadly some of them (not all.. just some) just let the opportunity passed them by. It's too hard and they lost interest. It's sad but understandable.
And some people have to leave their homes and pay thousands of dollars to do this!!
So if you are a Malaysian student who just happened to stop by my blog and read this, my advice is 'seize the opportunity to learn everything your English teacher has to offer...'
On my way to work in the morning I used to share a bus with a woman from the Middle East. What made me noticed her in the first place was not where she originated from, but what she had in her hands! Every morning on the bus she would take out an IELTS book and do a bit of reading and grammar exercise.
Yes, she is here to study English!
It dawned on me that she had flown a few thousand miles, left her home, family and friends to come to an English speaking country to learn English! (Well, probably she is studying English because she has to pass the IELTS exams in order to secure her working visa, but that's not what I am getting at here) So then, what's so special about that you ask? My mind wandered back to the time I was teaching English back home, and how I and countless other English teachers like me tried our very best to teach the future generations to learn the language, to speak the language, to read the language.. to embrace the language. We did songs, role play, debates, story telling, games etc..My students had the opportunity to study English Free of Charge, but sadly some of them (not all.. just some) just let the opportunity passed them by. It's too hard and they lost interest. It's sad but understandable.
And some people have to leave their homes and pay thousands of dollars to do this!!
So if you are a Malaysian student who just happened to stop by my blog and read this, my advice is 'seize the opportunity to learn everything your English teacher has to offer...'
Monday, 25 May 2009
Wednesday, 15 April 2009
Margaret River - the journey continues...
From Margaret River to Augusta...
From Augusta -pass Margaret River we drove north towards Busselton - 220 km south west of Perth.
One of the main attractions in this small attractive town is its landmark jetty, Busselton Jetty, the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere. The Busselton Jetty is 142 years old. I heard a few weeks after we visited and walked the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere, it was closed for public as they found that the structures are not safe anymore.
,
Busselton is also famous for its seafood. Fish and Chips are the favourite 'healthy' fast food :-) After dinner, we drove back to Bunbury. What a day!!
From Margaret River to Augusta...
Located on the most Southern Westerly tip of Australia, where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet, Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse stands as a solitary sentinel. On the cape where it stands are cottages and building used by the lighthouse keepers. Today it is still a working lighthouse.
From Augusta -pass Margaret River we drove north towards Busselton - 220 km south west of Perth.
One of the main attractions in this small attractive town is its landmark jetty, Busselton Jetty, the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere. The Busselton Jetty is 142 years old. I heard a few weeks after we visited and walked the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere, it was closed for public as they found that the structures are not safe anymore.
,
Busselton is also famous for its seafood. Fish and Chips are the favourite 'healthy' fast food :-) After dinner, we drove back to Bunbury. What a day!!
Sunday, 22 March 2009
WA trip Day 2 - 3 January...
Tour of Albany continues...
We left Albany about mid morning and headed north towards Bunbury and this is our journey...
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In case you're wondering what the big 'rolls' are, they are bales of hay.
"Apple town"
Apple trees!!! Although you can't see the apples, believe me they were there.. :-D
Bunbury city centre
Dinner!
Bunbury beach..
Beautiful end to another eventful day :-)
Errr.. more pics coming soon :-)
Tour of Albany continues...
We left Albany about mid morning and headed north towards Bunbury and this is our journey...
e
In case you're wondering what the big 'rolls' are, they are bales of hay.
"Apple town"
Apple trees!!! Although you can't see the apples, believe me they were there.. :-DBunbury city centre
Dinner!
Bunbury beach..
Beautiful end to another eventful day :-)Errr.. more pics coming soon :-)
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