August 09, 2008

Kidz talk

Had a rather relaxing (yeah, 'relaxing', can u imagine!) tuition session with Julian today. Mainly because he has changed school - from MOE mainstream to an international school. I am totally with this, I must say. He will do so much better and fit in better in an international school.

We chatted quite a bit today.

julian: But Singapore is not even real. It's just a name of the country.
me: (slightly amused) Ya, you are right. How about Indonesia?
julian: It's also not real. It's just a name of a country. Singapore is not real. It's just a name. So, why do we say 'Happy birthday, Singapore'? It's not even a person. It will just grow and grow and not die.
me: Ya... But I think when we say that, we actually mean the people of Singapore who make up Singapore...
julian: (seemingly oblivious to my remark) Like me, I will grow up and grow old. But even when I grow old, Singapore will be older. I will die but Singapore will just not die. Even after my children, and my children's children, it will still be around.

On a news article that I shared with him, on bulletproof bra for German policewoman...

julian: That's good. (laughs) If it's bulletproof, then when the bullet hits the bra (pointing to his chest area), it will reflect back and zhum-zhum! Good!
me: (laughs) Ya, I guess that will be quite helpful, isn't it?
julian: (laughs) Ya! So even if they get shot, (they) not get hurt! 'Tis good!

On another news article on confusing signage for washrooms in China.

me: So, imagine... if you go to this restaurant, and you want to go to the toilet. You look at both doors. One is a picture of a banana, and the other is a peach. Which one do you think is the Gents?
julian: The banana lah!
me: How do you know? Maybe it's the peach?
julian: No. It's the banana (laughs in a 'are-you-stupid' kinda way).
me: Well, it's kind of confusing if people do not understand and they might need to think which is the correct washroom.
julian: I just go to both.
me: What do you mean?
julian: I just go in. If it's not correct, then go to the other one.
me: Oh, yes.
julian: Why people so shy to go to both? Just go in and check. Why so shy?
me: Hmm, that's a good question. (pause) So, let's say, I need to go to the toilet and I don't know which one to go to. I just go into one and when I open the door, I see a line of men peeing inside. Isn't it going to be embarassing?
julian: Oh... ya... (laughs)

Posted by 杏 cy （Jancy） at 22:02