Homeschool Shanghai

I have a link to this person’s blog on my list of links on the sidebar.

May I say to readers (who are believers in the Lord) that the writer is an atheist. However, he has his analysis close or right on the nail when it comes to financial and global stuffs, of course, exclude his misunderstanding of the gospel and that part of history. Here is a wise man, listen to him, however, he is worldly wise, and therefore does not have insights from the Lord.

I warned a close relative over msn about the coming economic disaster yesterday, but she was too tired to listen and strugged off with “it’s easier said than done”. True, being prepared is easier said than done, but it is better than doing nothing at all.

The Lord brought us out so that we may see and understand the times ahead. By calling first calling us out from Michael’s regular, well-paid jobs, He did not give us any other directions (until the call to move to Shanghai) and let our business failed - so that we may learn what is the true meaning of the grace of God, of counting the cost to follow the cross (I lost 2 cousins and my grandparents all in one year and could not afford to return for their funeral, except to grieve in Shanghai), to see Him providing a way so that I can fullfill my call to homeschool, to have a gaze at the Matrix (global system, including home) and to be a warning beacon - so that, like Joseph, who was sold to Egypt, God made Him a way out for the family who trusted in Him. I just hope that my relatives reading this blog will be alerted and not ignore the warnings.

We are so comfortable in Singapore where we lived. We have come to expect the government to take care of our every need (mind you, that was not what our MM LKY, then Prime Minister of SIngapore had in mind when he build the country - Singaporeans were supposed to be able to take care of themselves without depending too much on the government), we have become so self-centred and complain over every nitty-gritty. We have learnt not to be thankful. You’ve just been told that there will be a 1/2 month bonus for all civil servants? Things look so good on the outside. Global issues and their impact do not seem to be in the minds of Singaporeans. We are like frogs swimming in a pot of water, slowly cooking away - so is the spiritual and mental state of many. We are so numbed by the “good” things that we viewed “entitlement” instead of “blessings”…

I felt like Noah after speaking with her. When Noah was called to build the ark, everyone thought he was crazy, because it had never rained. For many decades, Noah endured ridiculed and was possibly called a lunatic, but faithfully he built the ark, and stored it with food and stuffs - prepared for humans and animals… until rain came and God shut the door to the ark. People might have called out to him, but he could not open the door for them, because it was GOD who shut the door. They had their warnings long enough. No one could get in because they had not listen AND repent AND prepare for the coming of the Great Flood.

The Lord had warned us about His coming wrath - from the OT to NT, from Genesis to Revelation, it’s filled with the coming of the Lord and the message of salvation - His 1st and 2nd coming, and all that will happen before the finale judgement of God. While we preached about salvation, i.e. like Noah announcing the coming flood, we ought to be prepared too - so that when the eminent came, we can be spared and have the capacity to help others. Do not be mere listeners, but be doers of the word, just as the bible said.

Way before the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, the Lord had warned believers regarding “the abomination that makes desolate” and told them to flee (read Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah and the words of Jesus in the 4 Gospels - just too many of them.) The prophecy came true in AD70, when the Roman came into Jerusalem and destroyed the temple. Believers who had been watchful fled. Non-believers and people who ignored the warnings did not, including the direct murderers of Jesus who even tried to change the course of history to hinder God’s plan by persecuting the believers, acted in the Name of God with their hidden selfish agenda. Thus the outward growth of the church beyond Jerusalem in FULL BLOOM started.

The Jewish historian Flavius Josephus recorded that the crucifixion of the Jews in Jerusalem at that time was so bad that there were not enough logs for crucifixion. Thus, the Lord poured forth his wrath on those who murdered His Son but did not repent. Had they repent, they could have been warned, and fled for safety. The Church was spared, For she had been watching for many years - they were told to be watchful.

And in generational dynamics theory, history will repeat itself. It always does. This has been an unfailing cycle - the repeating of event, and it will escalate… until the day of the Lord’s return.

Are you fearful? You can choose to face it, and ask the Lord what you should do besides sharing the gospel and living your life for Him, how to be prepared so that in dark times, you will shine even more brightly, that others who have no hope will turn to God - The Only Hope. Or you can choose to ignore out of fear. Do not say “it will never happen in my generation”. Be watchful, as the Lord said, because no one knows the day or the hour of His coming, except the Father.

And finally, I will repeat what Paul said, “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice.”

The Lord bless you.

This past week has been a stressful week for me. I wrote to a few close friends in the Homeschool Group to ask for prayers and support.

It seems like any other time of the year, where recital/ play, piano exam, summer school planning and vacation bible school come together. But this year seems a little overwhelming as I cannot see them fall into place like they used to be - in my head.

Normally, when I am told dates, time and figures, I can see them clearly in my head while I repeat them back to the speaker. Not for this time. I can see nothing. I merely repeat what was said to me but I cannot see what I used to see. I had missed out things that were to be done, data to be recorded, things to prepare in my service as the administrator to SALT this year. I do feel bad when people tell newcomers that I did a good job, because I know I didn’t, somewhere, somehow, things were in a mess out there. Minutes were late, and I simply cannot see where I’m going. Just like last week, I helped the older class with the finale song and got the order of the entrance mixed up.

Paul’s disobedience and testing of my boundaries did not make it easier. He had opted for Grade 5 piano (practical) exam, which is to be held on 13th August 2008. He worked hard at least until the 2/3 of the first song, then he just lapsed. I cannot help but feel worried for him because there isn’t enough time. There are 3 not-so-easy pieces to be played, in addition to 4 sets of scales over 4 octaves. He simply cannot be bothered. Just this morning, his teacher just told him that his first song will not make the Grade 5 standard. And they will be starting to learn the second song next week. That kept him for a while on the piano just now.

Study has been slow as well when it comes to worksheets and assessments, I had to remind him time and again not to daydream. John’s been wanting to go out to play with Paul after his work, but Paul’s slowness had been eating up John’s play time. John went out to play be himself today and it really wasn’t much fun playing alone, he came in after playing in the yard for less than 20 minutes.

The play “Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat” will have their performance beginning 1st June, so I had to remind Paul to memorise the songs, the ASL for Awesome God sung in both English and Chinese, and the Chinese bible verse. His classmate JK will do the English verse. John had wanted to sing but gave up after trying to memorise the songs - he can only remember some parts and so he decided that he would just watch the play.

Days this week have been tough, trying to push Paul to work and eat faster, getting his attitude correct, and trying to teach John at the same time. Adding to that, the symptoms of the monthly “BIG M” has been bugging me. I have been having diarrhea for a week now, and often in the evening. It makes me hungry as I lost substance and water, so my meal pattern changed a little. I ate extra and drink more to replenish what I have lost and that includes at night. Backache is just one of the weird symptoms I have to be “notified” of the coming of the “Big M”, and it can be very bad at night, so for the past nights, I have been waking up in the middle of the night and cannot sleep after that. And monthly mood swing means lower threshold for stress. Sigh, I blew up at Michael the other day. Thank God I have a forgiving husband.

I have to meet up with SLz regarding vacation bible school because the overall in-charged, SEG, is pregnant with a low placenta, so she has to be out and the Sunday School needs help. I have been approached because of my military background, so I will be helping out with older kids. Tomorrow is going to be a longer day for me than usual because of the meeting and the kids will have their first full dressed rehearsal. May the Lord remember me and help each and everyone of us tomorrow, including the children, that everything will go smoothly with no hiccups.

The children of SALT and SCS Homeschoolers invite you to join us on International Children’s Day, 1st June 2008, at Metro Town Mall next to Zhongshan Park, Shanghai, at 11 am to 12.30 pm for their musical - “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat”, which they have been working hard for the past months.

See you there!

Everything is back to normal today.

Paul has been working hard for his coming piano exam. He has one problem though, his fingers are not long enough to stretch across an octave of the minor key. He manages well enough for major keys. Hopefully the examiners would be lenient this round. He manages to speed up with reasonable standard. ALA is sick today, so class was cancelled. The kids had their work at home and did them diligently. My television had been turned on since morning, updated with the latest news of the quake.

The Chinese overseas are zealously supporting those at home with money and materials. The after-quake is still going on with minor quakes as high as 6 Ritchscale. But the rescuers still carry on. There are many heroes in this disaster, many died or injured trying to save others. They will be always remembered.

There are strong needs for tents, medicines and medical equipement at the moment. While many are still being made, but it is still not fast enough at the rate that they are being used. Factories have been working non-stop at manufacturing first-aid equipment, medicines, expendables, food, drinks and tents. Trenches had been dugged around the tents as weather forecast had predicted rain for the next few days. This would help to ensure that the tents are firmed on the ground while water is being directed away from under it.

I heard from Michael that the President Mr. Wen Jiabao was actually injured when he went to the affected area on the first day. His head was bleeding from the fall (due to the after-quakes) but he refused medical care, and desperately ordered the soldiers and medical personnel to rescue the victims as quickly as possible. He strictly told the reporters not to say anything about his injury, but one reporter could not bear to see his injury went unheard, spoke of it in his own blog.

The army had problem getting into the villages in the mountainous areas of Sichuan. Food, drinks, clothes and many items were parachuted into these places by air, hoping that the villagers might have some relief. Parachuters had been flown in, with little or no way to get out, but they did what was necessary - to save as much as possible and arrange for the evacuation, believed to be possible a few days later. Just yesterday, the army finally broke through the barriers and went into the various villages and brought out many who were trapped in an orderly manner. All casualties and evacuated individuals have been registered.

Medical officers have been doing on operation table with little sleep. Nurses and health officers have been doing rounds every 30 minutes as many continue to come from villages and mountainous areas - administration, maintenance of hygiene and education are necessary. Volunteers, including those who came out unharmed and many who had travelled far either on foot or by transport, have been helping with the distribution of donated food and clothings everyday. Even the trishaw riders and mini-truck drivers helped at their own expense, and can get very frustrated at being interviewed by reporters because of the urgency. Old people who collected recycled materials for a living, sold whatever they collected and donated the money, because they could not be like others who have regular jobs to donate a month or more of their salary. That was the best they can do. Other old folks went to serve as traffic controller and comforters at hospitals. There was even a soldier who was ordered to rest because he had just recovered from his chemo treatment (he had cancer) went to help. He was not allowed to, but he sneaked into his company’s helicopter and his commander did not realised it until it was too late. He refused to sit quietly but went into action of removing rubbles and joined in the rescue mission. May the Lord rememeber these selfless people.

Stained clothing are burnt, fumigation done regularly. All people are to pick up their own rubbish and clean the areas together. Mosquito repellents are burnt in all camps. Planes and trains operate at much higher frequencies to bring those injured to hospitals in other provinces. Volunteers who are students, and some parents went to serve in hospitals to comfort those who are recuperating there, others helped to teach the children in tents so that schools resume and the children are not delayed in taking their coming exam and to ensure that they are still being educated. Those without injuries and who are evacuated helped cooked for the people working and for the newly arrived. Many of these have lost their loved ones, but they still serve willingly. In some places, recovery and reconstruction process have begun. Some military units have been dispatched to help the farmers with farming and reconstructing of homes and villages.

Everything seems organised but the fight for time continues. None relaxes. It has been 9 days and it still continues on. The entire China has stand together to fight a war.

Just past 12am this early morning, there was one more person saved and transported to hospital for emergency care. The death row now hits above 40,000. CCTV news channel has never stopped to bring to the people latest news since the disaster occur . Unclaimed dead bodies have their DNA and pictures taken and stored before being cremated, so that relatives who yet have news of their loved ones may proceed their search later.

I take my hats off to the people of China. They stand together as one in times of trouble and had quickly organised rescues and other areas of needs. Many complains about China in many areas, but I want to say this, they did the best they can be. They do not need sympathy, they need understanding, they need all the help they can get. Instead of sighing in relief that we are not in Sichuan and complaining, why not help them?

Many times since yesterday, Michael has been trying to call the Sichuan media, who is tasked by the Sichun government to take charge of adoption details, to ask about adoption, but the number has been engaged all the while. We cannot get through so far. The Sichuan government has not yet allow adoption of the earthquakes orphans until they are sure that all kids with existing parents have been claimed, which will take a some time. Families and individuals who want to adopt children must register for consideration. Our kids are agreeable to it and we’ll see how it goes. So far, the number has been engaged.

What Paul most feared happened this morning. The caterpillar had climbed out of the bowl and was squashed to death at the attempt to go out of the room.

We checked evreyone’s slippers but found nothing. The poor fellow was near the door as a pile of black liquid and squashed flesh. It must have been squashed by the opening and the closing of the door as the gap between the door and the floor is rather small.

Paul cried so much that he could not practise his piano. I had to hug him closely for quite sometime and comfort him, and asking him to think about those who had lost their loved ones at the earthquake in Sichuan. If he can cried over the death of the caterpillar which he hardly know, how much more grieve these people would feel over the death of their loved ones. They need the Lord and they have to overcome this grief and terror in their hearts to be strong again. John didn’t understand a thing so he did not feel anything at all.

At 2.28pm, the entire country sounded of car horns and siren, all flags flown at half-mask. All passengers on public transport stood up. All activities were at standstill, and stood in respect to remember those who had died, either as victims or heroes who died sheltering others and those who survived the tremor. Our family (including my ayi) stood and prayed for the people of China, for the Lord’s comfort and the gift of salvation that more may be saved and not lost, for all to stand strong and rebuild the nation, for the grief to pass, for the speeding up of recue operations, for providence and quick distribution of daily necessity.

Michael came back home and spoke of the memorial time held in school. I made 14 white rose corsages for the heads of department, the principal and Michael, to be worn for the next two days. All teachers are encouraged not to wear flowery and brightly coloured clothes during this time of national mourning. Hopefully this bring some comfort and encouragement to the Chinese teachers in school.

Michael and I talked about the possibility of adopting a baby. Lots of children are either dead or made orphan by this terrible disaster. I didn’t tell my mom anything, she has too much to worry about.

The television has been turned on since the morning. I’ve been keeping myself updated on the progress of rescue operation of Sichuan. I must say that the people of China and the government have worked so well and quick together to facilitate the rescue operation.

The death toll climbed to more than 20,000 last night, with ocassional survivors being rescued. One of them died of heart failure on the way to the hospital. It breaks the heart to see so many injured, so many dead, children made orphans, spouses widowed, parents made childless. The wet weather made the operation difficult, causing landslides in some areads. Rescuers have to be parachuted into the villages in the mountainous areas. Soldiers fainted due to tiredness because many of them have worked for more than 3 days in a row without sleep. Orders have been given for them to move out, but they pleaded to stay and help.

Yesterday, my ayi prayed with us over the living, that they may see hope; for the trapped, that they may see life; for the rescuers, that they may have strength and wisdom.

People outside China talks about propaganda. But when one is not in the situation, one has no right to say such things. It’s like laughing over the plight of the people who suffered during Katrina. I plead for all to put aside differences and do what you can to help.

Life is precious, with one alive, there is one more hope for salvation. Please pray for the people of China.

For donations, please check out the list below. Please be warned that these associations (including China Red Cross) have not given anyone the authority to collect money on their behalf. All funds should be directed to the associations’ accounts and not to anyone’s personal accounts.

For donations to send medical equipment, food and shelter, please direct funds to:

Account Number: 31001574000050004474,
Receipient (Shanghai Red Cross Humanity Aid Fund): 上海市红十字会人道救助基金
Bank (Construction Bank of China, Branch: The Bund): 建行外滩支行
Address: 34 East Yan’an Road, Shanghai Red Cross, Zip Code 200002

Telephone Number to call: 63217380.
For calling from overseas, please add: 86-21 (China-Shanghai) before the number above and the numbers listed below.

For other kinds of donations, please send to the places below. Please call if you are in doubt. The catergories of material donations: new blankets, clothes, instant noodles and preserved (dried) food, first aid (bandages, creams, etc.)

市慈善基金会 制造局路88号6楼 62584343、63124091
(City Charity Association, Zhizhaoju Lu No.88, Block 6)

慈善物资管理中心(浦西) 镇宁路405弄164号 52394294
(Puxi Charity Management Centre, 405 Zhenning Lu No. 164)

慈善物资管理中心(浦东) 杨高中路2795号 62124343
(Pudong Charity Management Centre, 2795 Gaoyang Lu)

For Education Support for Sichuan children:

慈善助学部 陕西北路80号 62560695
(Charity - Education Support)

闸北分会 天目中路749弄71号204室 53550039
(Zhabei Branch, 749 Central Tianmu Road No. 71 Unit 204)

徐汇分会 天钥桥路380弄3号底楼 64870363
(Xuhui Branch, 380 Tianyaoqiao Road Block 3, Ground floor)

嘉定分会 嘉定区塔城路560号南二楼 59526585 59521616
(Jiading Branch, 560 Tachen Road, Jiading District, South Block No.2)

宝山分会 友谊路134号401室 56788366
(Baoshan Branch, Youyi Road No.134, Unit 401, Baoshan District)

长宁分会 水城路689号509室 62283655
(Changning Lu, Shuichen Road No. 689 Unit 509, Changning District)

虹口分会 玉田路195号301室 65526676 65537027
(Hongkou Branch, Yutian Road No. 195 Unit 301, Hongkou District)

普陀分会 北石路234弄7号 52801573
(Putuo Branch, 234 Beishi Road, No.7, Putuo District)

金山分会 金山区石化梅州新村84号 57956939
(Jinshan Branch, Shihuamenzhou Village No.84, Jinshan Branch)

崇明分会 崇明县城桥镇人民路267号 59618041
(Chongming Branch, Renming Road No.267, Chengqiao Town, Chongming District)

闵行分会 莘庄镇莘建路143号 64887020
(Minhang Branch, Xinjian Road No.143, Xinzhuang Town, Minhang District)

静安分会 延平路123弄15号 62714432 62720226(传 Fax)
(Jin’an Branch, 123 Yanping Road No.15, Jin’an District)

青浦分会 青松路245号民政局 59725125
(Qingpu Branch, Qingsong Road No.245, Qingpu District)

南汇分会 南汇区惠南镇城基路29号 68030577
(Nanhui Branch, Chengji Road No.29, Huinan Town, Nanhui District)

黄浦分会 北京东路431弄5号503室 63290612
(Huangpu Branch, 431 East Beijing Road No.5 Unit 503, Huangpu District)

松江分会 新城区其昌路600号(松江福利院门口) 67700642
(Songjiang Branch, Qichang Road No.600 (in front of Songjiang Social Welfare Centre), Xincheng District)

卢湾分会 淡水路325号 63262020-70108
(Luwan Branch, Danshui Road No.325)

奉贤分会 奉贤区南桥镇科技路63号 57420489 57421172
(Fengxian Branch, Keji Road No.63, Nanqiao Town, Fengxian District)

浦东分会 云山路1080弄1号406室 50765081 50765082
(Pudong Branch, 1080 Yunshan Road No.1 Unit 406)

杨浦分会 榆林路707号4号楼501室 65419450-2425 65865493
(Yangpu Branch, 707 Yulin Road No.4 Unit 501)

Thank you for helping the people of Sichuan.

The kids were so delighted when my ayi found a little caterpillar in a pod when she was taking the peas out.

My ayi suggested that it will make a wonderful Science experiment and wanted to put the caterpillar into a plastic bag. I asked for a plastic bowl instead, so the kids can observe it properly. Paul gave the caterpillar another pod of peas. The kids have been coming in and out of my room to see the caterpillar.

We were all wondering if it would turn make a cocoon and turn into a butterfly or moth. It has been eating and (pooing) a lot and sleeping a lot. Hopefully it can survive the experiment.

RLA called me this morning to check if I was going with her to the donation centre. I declined as I was dead beat after yesterday’s SALT and I had planned the day’s work for the boys by the time she called. I sent the donation from our family through internet banking to China’s Red Cross.

I have been watching the news when since morning, occasionally checking on the kids’ work. The number of casualities had climbed to over ten thousand. Many are kids. Occasionally tremors hindered the rescue operations but the rescuers and the volunteers went back to help once the tremor stopped. The rescue teams had been working very hard and many are tired. All except three places have electricity and water restored.

Donations have been pouring in from many countries, companies and fellow Chinese (migrants and enthnic Chinese) all over the world.

Many cried for the lost of loved ones, others are overwhelmed with anxiety, not knowing what will happen next. The rescuers were dirty and sweaty, having work so hard for five days now. But they continue their mission - to fight against time and danger to save as many people as they possibly can. The entire China banded together for a time like this.

The police is also on the alert as many selfish and wicked crooks and conmen make use of this situation to rob, steal and cheat. Spam sms giving fake donation account numbers alone adds up to a few hundred cases as reported by the police. The government has warned that anyone caught taking advantage of this disastrous situation will be arrested and strictly punished.

It reminds me again of Matthew 26 and the book of Revelation. Paul’s teacher was asking me a lot of questions regarding what is to come before Christ’s return. This time is a heart-breaking time for many, but worse will come when the Anti-Christ comes.

We cannot turn back the clock. We can only give whatever best help we can and pray for the salvation and strength of those who are suffering. May the Lord remembers those who are alive.

Paul’s into his laziness again when it comes to the exam and homework.

He hates scale practice. He hates the fact that he has to keep practising on the same piece of music again and again. We have been into this struggle for sometime now. I had to remind him that he was the one who chose to go for the Grade 5 exam, I didn’t choose it for him.

RLA came on Tuesday afternoon and we discussed about the changes we need to make regarding our schedule and lessons. Paul was hiding behind the sofa listening to us instead of doing his homework. When RLA took the two younger ones out to the playground, Paul regretted because he did not finish his work. I had to sit with him to make sure he did his work and he finally got it done in less than 30 minutes.

It is true that Paul and John have lots of activities and lessons, but they have small amount of work. John can sit alone quietly and complete his work diligently. But John does not pick up things as fast as Paul and needs a lot more repetition on the same lesson. He often finishes his work way before Paul. Paul however, is a dreamer and often took hours to finish a piece of work that can be done in 30 minutes of he went unchecked. However, Paul is quick to understanding and can be easily taught.

Although there are so many times that I am very frustrated with teaching the boys, I thank God that they are different. I guessed it’ll really drive me up the wall if they are the same.

I didn’t know that there was an earthquake until the news report came out today while I was watching TV.

I found out from some friends in BSF that some of them were evacuated from their apartments, especially those staying in higher floors. Many of them felt the ground shook. Being on the ground floor, I felt nothing.

The news report was bad. Many were seriously injured or dead, while others laid under the rubble waiting for rescue. The Chinese government was quick to deploy aid and the people in the provinces surrounding Sichuan were quick to organise donation (monetary) drives, blood donation drives, food drives, donation of clothings and blankets, medical supplies and rescue teams to work alongside the army, fire department and civil defence teams. They had indeed learnt from their past experience of the Tangshan earthquake.

My ayi and I were very shocked and upset, seeing the pictures of the casualties. Many children were buried under the ruins as the earthquake occurred during school hours. I was looking for a way to donate a little cash. My ayi donated through her niece’s university. Paul asked me about how earthquakes occur. I had to explain to the children when we watched the news together. We discussed and the boys decided to donate a bulk of the money they earned (through their many pieces of well-done homework).

Looks like I have to check out where to send the money to quickly.