A recent survey shows that Singaporeans are generally happy, scoring a 6.6 on a scale of 1 to 10. And according to Dan Buettner, best-selling author of The Blue Zones and Thrive - Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way, "Singapore is the happiest place in Asia".

However, Singaporeans have rated their personal savings, or the lack of it, as the area in which they are most unhappy with, according to a research study titled The Happiness Report recently released last month.

The study, which was conducted by Grey Group, also revealed the top 5 things that Singaporeans were happiest about, with 78% citing Singapore as the best place to live in the world, followed by close family ties, spirituality, social support networks, and personal time being the fifth on the happiness index. Interestingly, the study also discovered that men were happier than women at the workplace.

Can happiness be bought with a price tag? Some would say "yes", judging from the long queue of thousands of people, some of whom stayed overnight, outside the new H&M flagship store when it was launched here.

Amy Chua’s “Battle Hymn of the Tiger mother” is probably the most famous book, outside of China, about the strict methods used by Chinese parents.  For those parents who are inspired by what she wrote and intend to use her methods, please note that Amy Chua said this in an interview : “The most important thing I want to say is that this is absolutely not a book about how I think other people should parent.” (Source)

For anyone who is looking for a good parenting book written by a Chinese parent, I highly recommend 好妈妈胜过好老师. This is the only book written by 尹建莉 and it has made her one of the top 10 richest authors of all genres of books in China. (Source)

Teaching is a vocation and a good teacher is someone to treasure and appreciate. They leave behind an indelible mark and make a positive difference in the lives of those they teach.

Teaching can be a thankless job. Let's not discount on what they do as they mould the lives of our children.

What teachers want are not criticisms but critiques and suggestions on how best to help the students, our children.

Good teachers do not expect lavish gifts and expensive luncheons. Good teachers appreciate the soundless thanks that comes from an improvement in the students' work and the delight in seeing the students' faces when they realized that they have improved. Good teachers know when to reprimand and when to praise, and remind that above all, our self-worth is important and that we must take pride in what we do.

Yes, there are teachers and there are good teachers. And good teachers are sometimes hard to find. 

Thinking of where to go during the one week school holiday? And unable to take long leaves? Why not Singapore Zoo?

There is a promotion going on for all PAssion Card holders. Details as per below:

PAssion Card Privileges:
•Enjoy 20% off* for Singapore Zoo admission tickets.

Terms and conditions:
•Excludes Panorail rides Jurong Bird Park & Tram rides at Singapore Zoo.
•Each card is allowed to purchase a max of 5 tickets per card per transaction.
•Child admission ticket is only valid for children aged 3-12 years old.
•Not valid with other promotions, discounts and/or online purchases.
•Not valid on eve of and public holidays.
•Admission ticket is not exchangeable for cash and is only valid for day of entry.
•No claims will be entertained for any lost, torn, defaced or expired ticket.
•Promotion is valid till 18 September 2011.

http://www.passioncard.com.sg/promo.aspx#sgzoo

PAssion ez-link card holders can now get to enjoy the benefits of National Library Board's Premium Membership from 1st August 2011 for free. This premium membership entitles all Singaporean or Permanent Residents to borrow up to 8 library items or 4 audio-visual materials and 4 books.

There is no premium payable to this card. For more information on registeration and details, please visit the website at http://www.passioncard.com.sg/nlb.aspx or http://www.pl.sg/page/PLAnnouncements&newsLocation=PL#passion-card-promo

Can you still remember Smurfs? The cute little blue creatures that goes singing their song and with so many different characters...

I still remember I can still infront of the television just for the show and forgotten to do my homework haha...

Smurfs movie is coming to down on 31st August :)

I can't wait to bring DS to watch it, or rather I can't wait to watch it myself haha :)  so here is the trailer, enjoy

After DS's class, his teacher showed me how he wrote his name. She told me he can think of creative way of expressing his name and at the same time answered her on the worksheet they are doing. She was quite surprised that after 6 lessons he's able to spell out the words. I was surprised too :)

This is what DS wrote

Here is our conversion

Me: wow, ur name so unique ah

DS: Yes...

Me: where is ur surname?

DS: It's there, mommy, cant u see it?

Me: oh, is it?

DS: (point at the centre, Ng) There. no need write again mah, so u see it reads "Ng" then go to the front "Ghing Hung"

Me: (shocked) ok, but why ur "g" is like this?

DS: I am not a girl, dnt have long pony tail, so i wrote it separately

Me: huh? ok... what about ur "i"?

DS: Oh, coz I was thinking of ice-cream so i put it in my name, hoping mommy will bring me to eat after the class when u see it

I almost fainted... ahahahaha...