70 and Going - Mrs Bala, Principal of R.E.A.L Kids TTDI

Mrs Bala joyfully welcoming us into her office in R.E.A.L Kids TTDI while she brought us through the wonderful times she is still experiencing in R.E.A.L with her adorable kids.

What would you expect when you were told you are to meet a principal in her 70's? I could imagine a strict principal with a straight face, an eye for discipline and minimal tolerance for humor.

Think twice if you ever walked into R.E.A.L Kids TTDI. Mrs Bala was absolutely adorable. You'll find eyes rolling and stirring around all corners trying to catch her fleeting thoughts everywhere. Like a 12-year-old child piloting a jet flying across the big blue sky trying to describe away how running her kindergarten is like. The joy, the pain, the surprises and the frustrations. But no, you can see in her eyes that she's really painting her wonderland adventures despite some of the real hurdles. Like an experienced Yogi who knows the art of living life full with a serenity named Joy.

"Our kids loved swimming. Water time is always fun for them. They would turn into Batman, Superman, whatever man you call it. Owh and Supergirl. When the bell rings, they would hide in the corner hoping that you can't find them so they can continue playing water till the end of day." Mrs Bala was chipping away with enthusiasm. Chuckling her signature way it was so contagious all 3 of us giggled and cackled along.

It might be a relatively old center compared to most other flagship R.E.A.L Kids centers, but you could feel the warmth of the center so profound you instantly want to be a part of this family.

From Left: Christopher, Mrs Bala, Kean Wei & Ai Lin on our visit to R.E.A.L Kids TTDI on 5th Feb 2015.

What's better to frame our memory together this warm afternoon other than a picture together?

When North Meets South - Shabeena - R.E.A.L Kids Putrajaya

Ms Shabeena gave us an icebreaker speech titled When North Meets South during Toastmasters Session on 18th Feb 2014.

Do you know Shabeena as a friend? As a Principal? Or as a person learning and growing as she explores her journey in Education?

Why the topic "When North Meets South"? Because her father came from the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia while her mother came from the Southern part. Boom there she is, a new life cast to this new found world of ours.

She grew up a quiet and reserved child in a family of 3 siblings, with her being the eldest sister taking care of her 2 baby brothers. Never she knew she could have leadership qualities until Standard 4 in Primary School when she was picked to be a prefect. Things changed 360° and she began to have confidence in herself and grew outspoken. Teachers noticed her and put her into competitions. 

Later on she decided not to be a prefect anymore because she hated the meetings and not having the normal recess hours. She then participated in various debate contests and spelling competitions, representing her Convent Girl School.

So much for the serious credentials yea? Guess what? Shabeena also shared with us on her cheeky side. Despite being a mother of 2 (5 & 3 year old kids) now, she enjoys hanging out with her brother for weekend shopping! She especially cherished her time with her brother now since she lost another brother over an unforeseen sickness some time ago. Last occasion she spent with her ailing brother, she managed herself positively and spoke of fond moments together. It was a time when her 3 siblings were crazy about an English Tech Movie, they secretly sliced the mattress at home and poured jugs of water in to make water bed! It was sad her ailing brother had to go, and he wasn't even able to smile or laugh recollecting their fond memories together. However Shabeena took it positively and she's only growing stronger and more positive after his passing.

Let's celebrate our time with Shabeena as the Principal for R.E.A.L Kids Putrajaya. From a quiet and reserved child who got bullied by a pair of twins in preschool--whom later turned best friends, clueless of being bullied and loved still to go to her kindergarten; to a loving sister and mother who is leading her center to provide education and care to other parents' little cute monsters!   

Have Mercy On Me - Mrs Rajen - R.E.A.L Kids Cyberjaya

Mrs Rajen gave us a controversial speech on Have Mercy on Me during Toastmasters Session on 18th Feb 2014.

Mrs Rajen opted a controversial topic for her 3rd Toastmaster's Project. She talked about Euthanasia, the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering.

She shared with us on the pros and cons of the practice and urged us to decide on our own whether or not we approve the practice.

Personally for her, she experienced the agony her late mother-in-law went through when her mother-in-law was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. All she could do was to stand there watching her tears run down her face and there's nothing she could do to ease her mother-in-law's pain. 

Pros of Euthanasia:

1. Relief from painful time.

2. Relief from low quality of life.

3. Conversion of medical fund to something else. 

Eg: when doctor's diagnosis is that the patient will certainly die in 3-6 months, would it not be better to pass the medical fund to another patient that could be healed with that same medical fund?

Cons of Euthanasia:

1. Value of life. What is the value of a mosquito's life? How is that comparable to that of a human?

2. Execution. 

3. Doctors are healers, not killers.

What do you think of Euthanasia? Please note that there are different Euthanasia Laws in each country. 

A Lesson To Be Learnt - Mrs Rama - R.E.A.L Kids Kota Damansara

Mrs Rama gave us an inspiring speech on A Lesson To Be Learnt during Toastmasters Session on 18th Feb 2014.

Have you ever asked yourself below 2 questions:

What are the important things in our lives?

What are not important things in our lives?

There's a story about a Professor addressing this question to his class. He picked up an empty jar and filled it with Golf Balls. Turned to ask his students, "Is the jar full?" 

The students took sometime, some answered yes while some answered no.

Then he took a box of Pebbles and roll them down into the jar and asked again, "Is the jar full?"

As usual, some says yes and some says no. But there are more yeses now.

Next on, he picked out a box filled with Sand and pour the sand into the jar. And repeated his question. All the students said YES!

To their amazement, he now pulled out a bottle of Chocolate Milk and poured it into the jar. And guess what? The whole class laughed.

Do you know what does this mean?

-  Golf Balls resemble the big things in our lives, eg: family, children, health, etc.

- Pebbles resemble our jobs and houses, properties, etc.

- Sand resembles the small matters.

- Chocolate milk resembles the need to treat ourselves occasionally, to motivate ourselves in life's journey, and to enjoy your life.

Give importance to the big things, others are just like the dust and sand. Go for medical check regularly. And remember what makes you happy.