Bringing on the Revolution

Here's Sir Ken Robinson's follow-up to his 2006 talk "Schools kill Creativity". Uploaded in TED just a few weeks ago, this is "Bring on the Learning Revolution"

Since I was contemplating preschool for my preschooler, I kinda really took what he said to heart.

Some highlights for me:

• Education needs to be transformed into something else.
• Challenge what we take for granted
• The tyranny of common sense - a roadblock to change
• "Education, in a way, dislocates very many people from their natural talents."
• College begins in kindergarten...not! Words of wisdom: "Kindergarten begins in kindergarten."

To end his talk, Robinson quoted from W.B. Yates -- "I have spread my dreams under your feet; tread softly because you tread on my dreams."

"And every day, everywhere, our children spread their dreams beneath our feet. And we should tread softly." - Sir Ken Robinson

Listen on, so you can find your own nuggets of wisdom, and hopefully, bring about our own revolution.

You say you want a revolution

Well, you know

We all want to change the world

- The Beatles, Revolution

God Knows Hudas Not Pay

Look what I found while taking a walk down a QC street. A poster for Termicon! The termite specialist that did not honor their commitment to us.

"Free inspection" my ass. It's not our (the customer's) fault that one of their employees became "rogue" and allegedly sprayed our house on his own, pocketed the money, and refused to do the follow-up services. We (the customer) contacted them through their legitimate numbers, and thus were expecting that it was the legitimate company who we were transacting with.

I hope people google them and find this! How did they fool us? Read this! Hmph! Government could not help us, but at least there's the internet where we can spread the word. Don't be fooled, don't transact with shady termite exterminators like Termicon!

Kids and Schools

Zoe's last day at the playschool near our house.

"All kids have tremendous talent, and we squander them. Ruthlessly."

- Sir Ken Robinson, in a TED talk given in 2006 wherein he says "schools kill creativity".

Next parental dilemma: to enroll or not to enroll for this school year. If yes, where to enroll? Funds are tight, so I don't really want to be too OA regarding the preschool. After all, the goal is for the kid to have fun while learning. I don't want her to be traumatized or pressured, but I don't want her to learn bad habits either.

Next year's dilemma: deciding on an actual big school for the kid. Huhu. We've sort of shortlisted some schools, and I have accepted already that my goal of having the kid enroll in a progressive international school that teaches Chinese is impossible -- I can't afford it! Sh*t. =D

Oh yeah. This blog is supposed to be about being thankful. So, I'm thankful I still have a choice, even if those choices are limited. I am thankful that we were able to enroll the kid in playschools, that she enjoys it, and that she's always excited to go to school. Her favorite period in playschool though is recess. "Kain na tayo?" Hehehe. Kahit bata, merienda time ang favorite!

Princess Fiona

A kind security guard gave us a Princess Fiona head cap while Zoe and I were eating ice cream at a fastfood place in Cubao. Super happy ang bata, Shrek is her current favorite!

Kiddie Bravery

A great swimming lesson for the kid today! It's her last day of swimming lessons. She was able to do bubbles, hold her breath under water for 10 seconds, swim underwater towards me, and she wasn't afraid or crying before she did it! Yehey!