19th Century Women Teachers January 31, 2008

An excerpt from Myron Brenton’s What’s happened to teacher? (1970) on promises women teachers were required to sign in one community in North Carolina even as late as 1920s. Pretty crazy.

I promise to take a vital interest in all phases of Sunday-school work, donating my time, service and money without stint for the benefit and uplift of the community.

 I promise to abstain from dancing, immodest dressing, and any other conduct unbecoming a teacher and a lady.

I promise not to go out with any young man except as it may be necessary to stimulate Sunday-school work.

 I promise not to fall in love, to become engaged or secretly married.

 I promise to remain in the dormitory or on the school grounds when not actively engaged in school or church work elsewhere

I promise not to encourage or tolerate the least familiarity on the part of any of the boy pupils.

I promise to sleep eight hours a night, eat carefully… etc.

* * * * *

Why the heck do you need a young man to stimulate Sunday-school work? Somehow having “young man” and “stimulate” in the same sentence sounded rather cheeky. Btw, I wouldn’t have survived in the 19th century. And how the fishcake can you promise not to fall in love? Heck, I fall in love about a hundred times each year. God is indeed fair for letting me live in the 21st century :)

Bukit Perahu – Part 2 January 29, 2008

So I did another hike up the hill yesterday morning.

And boy o boy, was I in trouble… Twenty minutes after starting the hike uphill my world began to darken and I began seeing moon and stars. I rested a while to catch my breathe. But it got worse. I was sweating profusely and my heart was a like jumping jack. I was feeling nauseous and my head was spinning. So I sat down to die. But of course, I didn’t die. Heheh. Gradually the internal ruckus calmed down. And I was aware of my surrounding. I wasn’t even half-way up the hill!

Deb who climbed with me this time was waiting patiently for me to get better. Well, I didn’t make it to the top but I’m prepared to do better next week. I guess I’ve forgotten that my stamina is still below average and rushed up beyond my actual physical fitness. Well, I’m still grinning over my “sports accident” but it was a lesson worth remembering:

1.  Start slow especially when climbing up a hill. And especially if you haven’t exercised in a long long time.

2.  Keep a steady pace (small steps if necessary) and a steady breathing as well.

3.  If you need to rest, just stand instead of squatting or sitting down.

4.  Bring drinking water.

5.  Bring a walking stick to complete the Oh-I’m-so-weak look.

Next week’s goal: 30 minutes hike regardless of whether I reach the top or not.

Swimming 101 January 24, 2008

“The Swimming Hole” (painting by Thomas Eakins, 1844-1916)

Finally. I’m learning how to swim :) With the companion of four other older girls we are now into our second session. The waters and the sea have always been a constant attraction to me but secretly I’m terrified of being in the deep without any supervision. It must have been my near drowning experience when I was 9 or so. Anyway, I’m proud of my accomplishment today – I was able to glide and kick my way across the pool while holding my breathe in the water!

What I’ve learnt so far:

1.  Learn to be friends with the waters. They can sense distrust and tension and will not hesistate to swallow you in its depth even when you’re attempting to float.

2.  Relax your limbs and shoulders. Don’t be overzealous about conquering the waters too soon.

3.  Learn how to take deep deep breathe from your diaphragm and hold it for as long as you can! (I’m struggling with this one)

4.  Have fun!

5.  Most importantly: Tell yourself, I can do it, and it will be done :)

Friends and Foods January 21, 2008

Last Saturday afternoon we had a potluck for a childhood friend who’s back in town for a visit. Tammy is looking as gorgeous as ever. Also met Paul and his family, an ex-college mate who we haven’t met in years. It was gathering of singles and families. Sort of a reunion. And was I surprise to learn that Paul’s wife is also attached though on a part-time basis to the college I just left. It is indeed a small world!

Anyway, here are some stolen pictures from Flo and Wendell of that afternoon :)

                

Bukit Perahu January 20, 2008

I started my day today by brisk-walking up a little hill behind little Tamparuli with Arlin. Some folks call it Bukit Perahu (Boat Hill) because of a big rock that people think looked like a boat about 1/3 up the hill. Anyway, it’s been years since I last trudged its steep path. But, we have decided to go up there every Sunday morning starting today. Ha! I sound so sure :) Right now I have the stamina of a garden slug. In fact, that’s why I’ve agreed to climb Mount Kinabalu in May so that this will force me to exercise and get into shape again.

Well, the rest of my Sunday went as usual. Piano classes from 8:30 till 5:30. No casualties this time. I think my patience has improved slightly since I’ve been a homebody. Hehehe.

Lost January 18, 2008

First of May
(Barry, Maurice, Robin Gibbs [Bee Gees])

When I was small, and Christmas trees were tall,
we used to love while others used to play.
Don’t ask me why, but time has passed us by,
someone else moved in from far away.

Now we are tall, and Christmas trees are small,
and you don’t ask the time of day.
But you and I, our love will never die,
but guess who’ll cry come first of May.

The apple tree that grew for you and me,
I watched the apples falling one by one.
And as I recall the moment of them all,
the day I kissed your cheek and you were gone.

Now we are tall, and Christmas trees are small,
and you don’t ask the time of day.
But you and I, our love will never die,
but guess who’ll cry come first of May.

When I was small, and Christmas trees were tall,
do do do do do do do do do …
Don’t ask me why, but time has passed us by,
someone else moved in from far away.

* * * * *

Lost and gone. But while it lasted, it was something to behold.

Reading is Power January 15, 2008

Today was one gorgeous sunny day. If I were to give today a gender, it would surely be a male – strong, harshly bright and warm in the boldest way possible. Even the clouds seemed fearful just being up there in the sky.

Well, I kept myself indoors most of the time. This morning I woke up about 9:00 after spending some time reading till 1AM last night. Well o well… It’s been a while since I last read a book. And of all reading materials, I’ve got three Mills & Boons novels on my table! Yeah, I’m reliving my teenage days :) Back then I was reading two or three books per week. Once the librarian at the Tamparuli state library said to me in a rather scolding voice, “Iniiiiii jah kau baca selalu…” (You’re alwaysss reading these) He had a goatee, a white turban and he looked holy. Couldn’t blame him, those books are excitingly evil. Your own emotions are stirred as easily as Miss Right’s/the heroine’s (whatever you call her) as you move along the predictable plot. Whenever Mr Right made Miss Right’s knees all woobly, you’d sometimes feel woobly in the knees as well. Hehe.

Actually it does seem silly to be reading them now after decades of feeding on reality’s “nenen” (milk). Falling in love, loving and maintaining a relationship is easy and yet difficult. Easy to fall in love but difficult to express it fully. Easy to say “I’m in love” but difficult to answer “Is he/she the right one?” Easy to build a relationship but difficult to maintain.  True or not? :)

By the way, some of these novels should have a label like they have on the cigarrette boxes – “Reading these books may cause cancer of the mind.”

Into the Woods January 13, 2008

We made another trip to the mountains last Thursday. Though the mountain mama itself was hidden by rainy clouds and the air was chilly we still enjoyed what nature has to offer. I think the best thing was attempting to capture the sights and feel of the surrounding with a camera. Though Flo was kind enough to let us play with her toy but I know I should get my own shooting weaponary soon… Yeah, yeah I’ve been saying that a million times already :)

   

 So anyway. Here are some pictures of  things we saw and did when we went to Kinabalu National Park and Mesilau Park. Anyone who needs to be reminded what a beautiful earth we have been blessed with should take time to go where nature is still decently intact.

      

    

The house on top of a hill in Kundasang that had us super-curious (as you can see)! Haha.

 

If We Hold on Together January 11, 2008

If We Hold On Together
(Diana Ross) 

Don’t lose your way
With each passing day
You’ve come so far
Don’t throw it away
Live believing
Dreams are for weaving
Wonders are waiting to start
Live your story
Faith, hope and glory
Hold to the truth in your heart

If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
Where clouds roll by
For you and I

Souls in the wind
Must learn how to bend
Seek out a star
Hold on to the end
Valley, mountain
There is a fountain
Washes our tears all away
Words are swaying
Someone is praying
Please let us come home to stay

If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
Where clouds roll by
For you and I

When we are out there in the dark
We’ll dream about the sun
In the dark we’ll feel the light
Warm our hearts, everyone

If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
As high as souls can fly
The clouds roll by
For you and I

* * * * *

Wishes and hopes. Dreams and desires. Dreams are the essence of most successful men and women. But in some cases some dreams are left dreams and not more. Just like banana trees produce bananas and nothing else. Like chickens to roam the earth and not the skies. Like fish to ride the seas and not on bicycles. What-de-heck-evah… Anyway. This song is still one of my favourite oldies cause it sounds good on the piano.

My Current Occupation January 9, 2008

By the way, discover the wonders of vinegar (if you haven’t already) here! It’s a wonderful cleaning agent which I can’t wait to experiment with soon.