Private Schools Fair

Anita had circled this date in her calendar since a couple of months back. Even though Sri Utama was not that bad, we felt that the place was slowly losing its charm, especially since Idlan's close friend moved out of Setapak at the beginning of the year and switched school.

I also personally felt that there were not enough emphasis put on co-curricular activities and the amount of homework were at times ridiculous. There were also too many assessments for my liking when children at my boys age should be enjoying education. They just didn't get the chance to explore their interest.

Since the beginning of the year, there were a few clubs opened. Idlan seemed to enjoy his drama class and badminton lessons. But still, the homework were becoming a drag ....

It didn't hurt to explore other options and that was what we did today.

The fair entered its third year this time around, but compared to last year, it was palpably smaller in both scale and prestige. A few of the elite school did not even show up. Most that were there were on the fringes, and possibly in the same league as Sri Utama in terms of aspirations and vision.

We left the place almost empty handed, with the only institution which left us with an impression was Epsom College. A couple of issues, it was in Sepang and the tuition plus boarding fees were damn expensive. We could afford Yayasan Saad with the same amount.

We might be exploring the place more for secondary school in a couple of years time. In the meantime, it looked like my boys would be staying at Sri Utama, unless we come across other alternative. I was still asking Anita to consider having a look at Park City International School right next door to the Medical Centre. The place looked rather nice ....

Lighthouse Family

Project for the weekend, build a lighthouse. Not my project but for Idlan at school. Complete with light switches and all.

Took Anita a while to help Idlan out. He did all the internal wiring but Anita did the gluing and cutting.

Hopefully it turned out OK in the end, and it would last until Monday when he need to hand the project in.

Idlan Is 10

Idlan was born 10 years ago this weekend. It was the same weekend that Michael Schumacher won the Monaco, and Cristiano Ronaldo scored in the FA Cup final against Millwall to secure the last FA Cup win for United until today. All that happened while Anita was in labour.

Ten years on, Idlan celebrated his birthday with a party at his class, which coincided with Teacher's Day activity at his school. Anita organised the cakes and other titbits, cooked macaroni and cheese for the party and Irfan joined his brother when they had the cake-cutting during class break.

As usual, Anita went all out on the goodie bags which she prepared herself. She must've stayed up all night to sort those out looking at the elaborate preparation she did ....

I asked Idlan about his party after school. He said the party was brilliant. Well, it was all worth it ...

Old Skool

Quite literally, I went old school this evening after arriving home. On the table was the school magazine from Loughborough. It was a special edition with feature on career in Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinarian.

Unfortunately I didn't get the invitation to write in. A few of the student from my batch - A level 1992 - were featured. All of them were Consultants now from around the UK. Quite an interesting read actually.

Another Mineraft Bowling Party

Last weekend, we were invited to another birthday party - we would have another one coming this weekend. It was one of Irfan's classmate. The theme? Minecraft and bowling. Sounded familiar?

This classmate of his couldn't make it to Irfan's party as they were traveling out of town. But, they did get the invitation card. I was sure that he was into Minecraft as well, hence the theme was understandable.

The venue was much smaller than when we had ours, and it was also less crowded. Never the less, the boys did enjoy themselves. It was held at Tropicana Golf Resort, and it was the first time I was there.