Of Holidays And Childhood

Posted by : foongpc | Monday, September 7, 2009 | Published in

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Yippee! Today is a public holiday!

No Monday blues for me! Isn't it nice to have Monday as a holiday?

Sorry to those of you who are not staying or working in Selangor. I guess it's just another normal working Monday for you. Well, look at the bright side. Hari Raya holidays are coming in 2 weeks time!

I still remember when I was small, I used to dislike going to school. I always looked forward to the weekends. Friday nights had got to be the most enjoyable nights for me those days. I could look forward to Saturdays and Sundays with joy!

I would dread Sunday nights. In fact, I would start feeling down by Sunday afternoon. That's how bad it was. By the time I got ready for bedtime on Sunday night, I would wish that I would be in dreamland forever and the next day would never ever come!

And the whole process would repeat itself week after week, like a horrible cycle that would only be interrupted by the school term holidays and the occasional public holidays!

Of all the holidays that I experienced during my childhood days, the year-end school holidays must be the best of them all! The 7-week (sometimes 8) holidays were weeks filled with fun, fun and more fun! There was practically nothing to worry about. No studies, no school projects, no waking up early. Gosh, those were the days....


Image courtesy of Diocese Of Oxford

Sometimes I could not help but feel a little upset when I see children nowadays. Especially Chinese schools' students. They do not seem to have any holidays! Even during school break, they need to study and attend extra classes in school. Most of them even need to go for tuition classes.

I mean, where is their childhood? I really think children deserve to enjoy their childhood because once they grow up, they will never be able to experience the joys of being children! No wonder Michael Jackson blamed everything that happened to him to his missing childhood!


Image courtesy of UN Good Works

I really hope children nowadays won't grow up and start acting weird and then when we question them on their behaviour, they will ask "Have you seen my childhood?"

FIRST COMMENTER

(88) Comments

  1. HappySurfer said...

    Memories.....

    September 7, 2009 at 10:12 AM
  2. HappySurfer said...

    Foong said: Especially Chinese schools' students. They do not seem to have any holidays! Even during school break, they need to study and attend extra classes in school. Most of them even need to go for tuition classes.

    Foong, I suppose that is why children who drop out of Chinese school after Std Six are still able to speak and write Chinese years after they leave school. The same can't be said of non-Chinese school children who drop out of national-type school. Will they be able to read and write the language they learned as well as the Chinese school dropouts who will still maintain their knowledge of Chinese? I doubt.

    The second picture is very nice - could pass for a paper cutout. Thanks for sharing.

    September 7, 2009 at 10:23 AM
  3. HappySurfer said...

    Btw, have a great holiday today!

    September 7, 2009 at 10:24 AM
  4. HappySurfer said...

    Strange that everyone hasn't checked in here..

    September 7, 2009 at 10:26 AM
  5. HappySurfer said...

    My office mailbox is kinda quiet too. It's Labor Day weekend in the US.

    September 7, 2009 at 10:27 AM
  6. HappySurfer said...

    haha.. Foong, this is indeed a rare moment for 'spamming'. Oops! Looks like it's a free highway this morning. Toot- toot!! Going shopping? Perhaps better stay at home. I've noticed that when Selangor is on holiday, KL is packed. Still it's kinda fun to be free roaming the streets when others need to be working, eh? Have fun..

    September 7, 2009 at 10:31 AM
  7. TZ said...

    hehehe.... enjoy your holiday when it's still here... it's going to be half a day dy... :p Please don't come over to KL downtown and jammed up the city eh~

    September 7, 2009 at 10:38 AM
  8. Borneo Falcon said...

    I pity the children nowadays

    September 7, 2009 at 10:58 AM
  9. day-dreamer said...

    It's a public holiday in Perak too... :D

    September 7, 2009 at 11:23 AM
  10. Che-Cheh said...

    Yeah I dread school days too... but now I miss it badly. haha

    September 7, 2009 at 11:52 AM
  11. [SK] said...

    too bad i'm working in KL, so no holiday for me.. but why aren't we also sharing Selangor holiday, since we are geographically within Selangor?? :(

    September 7, 2009 at 12:03 PM
  12. [SK] said...

    haha, you are right!! friday is a relaxing day because weekend is coming, saturday and sunday are happy days, but sunday night is really dreadful cos we gotta prepare for work the next day!!

    September 7, 2009 at 12:04 PM
  13. [SK] said...

    hmmm, i agree with you kids nowadays don't really have childhood.. most of their time is spent indoors, if not studying then extra tuition or learning some kind of skills..

    September 7, 2009 at 12:05 PM
  14. Medie007 said...

    no hols for me... :(

    September 7, 2009 at 12:29 PM
  15. lina said...

    A friend of mine complains that she regrets sending one of her daughter to National type school because the workload were considerably less that her daughter in Chinese School! @_@

    September 7, 2009 at 1:14 PM
  16. lina said...

    I don't miss school at all. I rarely focus in classes and joined so many extra corricular activities just so I can be out of the classroom. A wonder I passed my SPM. LOL

    September 7, 2009 at 1:15 PM
  17. lina said...

    No holiday for me today. But a blessing was the road was clear today. I'm expecting a horribly jammed road after work because all the Selangor people came to KL for shopping.

    September 7, 2009 at 1:17 PM
  18. Merryn said...

    Foong, u werking in s'gor eh? Me too, but somehow meboss Ethan doesnt want to give me a holiday ler... :)

    September 7, 2009 at 1:32 PM
  19. Anonymous

    Children these days are subjected to the pressures of growing up thanks to 'kiasu' parents. Some insist the little ones learn mandarin or master some language before they even turn 6! Gosh...gone are the days we used to enjoy being a child. I wonder how those kids feel?

    September 7, 2009 at 1:42 PM
  20. Willie a.k.a Reptoz said...

    Lately, I was very lazy to wake up in the morning. Too bad, it wasn't a holiday for Sarawak.

    September 7, 2009 at 2:51 PM
  21. ladyviral said...

    First, Happy Holidays! Tomorrow work ar pfffttt...

    September 7, 2009 at 2:58 PM
  22. ladyviral said...

    Childhood? Well alot of kids are enjoying todays' childhood wart... Playing computer games like WoW.

    Today's world is the technology world, you can go around and not see a kid without a gameboy or a handheld game console. That or a mobile phone.

    September 7, 2009 at 2:59 PM
  23. ladyviral said...

    So chances are kids today will grow up wearing spectacles more :P and they are more tech savvy than a lot of us.

    September 7, 2009 at 3:00 PM
  24. ladyviral said...

    Oh well, come to think of it, that isn't all bad... at least they are not out in danger's way or doing anything illegal outside.

    Parents make sure yo uknow wha tyour kids are doing in front of the computer ;).

    September 7, 2009 at 3:01 PM
  25. J2Kfm said...

    eh i echo your sentiments.
    when i was a child, or in primary ah, no such thing as extra class or tuition during holidays!
    heck, i didnt even attend nursery or kindergarten. so jimat eh?

    September 7, 2009 at 3:10 PM
  26. jam said...

    Have you seen my childhood? I am not having holiday today!

    September 7, 2009 at 3:24 PM
  27. manglish said...

    ya very kesian the children these days sometimes i dont know if it is right or wrong that they are pushed so hard.....but i believe it doesnt take papers to be successful lar....relatively easier lives maybe but successful no...tat also depends on your definition of successful...anyway, "hua hee tiok ho" lar....:)

    September 7, 2009 at 3:27 PM
  28. Mariuca said...

    Yeeeeha! Holiday for us too here Foong! Isn't Selangor grand?? :):):)

    September 7, 2009 at 3:55 PM
  29. Mariuca said...

    I wanna be a kid again huhuhu!

    September 7, 2009 at 3:58 PM
  30. Mariuca said...

    ENjoy ur holiday okay? Tomo u must wake up early again lol... ;)

    September 7, 2009 at 3:59 PM
  31. Foong Speaks Her Mind said...

    It's the parents to be blamed for forcing their children to go to tuition after tuition after tuition classes.You'll be surprised that even 5-year-olds have to go to tuition classes!!!
    No wonder children are so stressed out nowadays and I won't be surprised that there will be more suicide cases amongst children in times to come. Or worse, they may grow up as screwed up, mentally unstable, ultra-stressed adults.
    ~from the Foong who absolutely opposes wasting children's carefree childhood on tuition classes~

    September 7, 2009 at 4:17 PM
  32. Tekkaus said...

    Yer....no holidays here in Malacca. Bluek :p I have the Monday Blues as usual! Yerrr... =( Yeah! Hari Raya is coming and I can have 1 week off. Woot! Woot!

    September 7, 2009 at 4:19 PM
  33. Tekkaus said...

    How come you don't like school? Ha :D Same here Foong. Friday night is like the night we have been waiting for. Then come the Sunday night...which of course I dislike too. LOL :D

    September 7, 2009 at 4:20 PM
  34. Tekkaus said...

    The 7 weeks holidays are awesome! Why? Because I get to woke up late like almost everyday. I wish I am still a kid. Ha :D Aww....I missed my good old days.

    September 7, 2009 at 4:21 PM
  35. Tekkaus said...

    You are right Foong. Nowadays I think some children are being "tortured" to the max! Parents would send these poor little kids to tuition classes, music classes....or whatever classes that they can stuff them into. =(

    September 7, 2009 at 4:22 PM
  36. Tekkaus said...

    Some parents who are actually free during those holidays just don't want to shoulder their responsibilities and hence push those duty to tuition classes. =( what a shame!

    September 7, 2009 at 4:24 PM
  37. Tekkaus said...

    I am going to make sure my children will enjoy their childhood and have wonderful memories. :)

    September 7, 2009 at 4:25 PM
  38. Reanaclaire said...

    As I said in my Post.. Its A Holi, Holiday.. hahaa.. same with Perak too.. resting now in my home.. but then almost the day has gone... sigh...

    September 7, 2009 at 4:28 PM
  39. Shingo T said...

    I always loved school. More for the companionship of classmates and to ogle at those cute girls though. =p

    September 7, 2009 at 8:46 PM
  40. wenn said...

    as parents, we shouldn't stress up our children..let them have their childhood experiences..

    September 7, 2009 at 9:42 PM
  41. foongpc said...

    happysurfer, wow! You are in a spammy mood, is it? Haha! Anyway, congrats for being FC and thanks for spamming! : )

    Well, it's true that Chinese school students are better than national school students in almost every respect but I really think they are missing out on their childhood. Whereas national school students need to be less relaxed and more hardworking!

    I had a greaty holiday and it is ending very soon! : (

    Looking forward to Raya holidays in 2 weeks time! Yippee!!

    September 8, 2009 at 12:56 AM
  42. foongpc said...

    TZ, oh I know the rules. When PJ is having holiday, KL will be jammed. When KL having holiday, PJ will be jammed. So I didn't go KL cos I hate traffic jam! : )

    September 8, 2009 at 12:58 AM
  43. foongpc said...

    borneo falcon, yeah, pity them : (

    September 8, 2009 at 1:06 AM
  44. foongpc said...

    day-dreamer, oh is it? I cannot remember which states are having public holiday for Mon! : )

    September 8, 2009 at 1:08 AM
  45. foongpc said...

    che-cheh, you hate schooling but now you miss it badly? How come?

    September 8, 2009 at 1:09 AM
  46. foongpc said...

    SK, yalah although PJ and KL is near each other, but KL is not under Selangor. That's why no holiday lah! Am I glad I'm not working in KL. LOL!

    Yes, Friday night is the best right? I mean during those school days lah. Now I have to work on Saturday too, so for me Saturday night is the best night! : )

    September 8, 2009 at 1:11 AM
  47. foongpc said...

    medie007, sorry! Well, I'm sure you are looking forward to Hari Raya holidays, right? : )

    September 8, 2009 at 1:12 AM
  48. foongpc said...

    lina, yeah, the amount of homework a Chinese school student has to do is about 10 times more than a national school student! But not everyone can take it. If you are a slow learner, better stick to national school. But if you are a fast learner, then Chinese school is ideal!

    Wah! You so naughty in school last time? But still can pass SPM, so you must be quite smart lah. Haha!

    Maybe there's no traffic jam in KL because PJ people are wiser now? LOL!

    September 8, 2009 at 1:15 AM
  49. foongpc said...

    merryn, sorry you have a boss called Ethan. Looks like no holiday for you for a long time. Hehe

    September 8, 2009 at 1:17 AM
  50. foongpc said...

    mei teng, yes, I really pity some of these kids. I mean, some of them can take it as they learn fast, but there are slower learners who cannot tolerate this kind of pressure. Parents should know the limit and not keep pushing their children to excel in studies and everything else!

    September 8, 2009 at 1:19 AM
  51. foongpc said...

    willie, no holiday in Sarawak? And you are lazy to wake up in the morning? Hello, you are living in the wrong state! LOL!

    September 8, 2009 at 1:20 AM
  52. foongpc said...

    ladyviral, happy holiday to you too! But I think too late to wish you now. Haha!

    Playing computer games is not a proper childhood life! OK, I guess it's part of it, but what happened to children who enjoy playing outdoors?

    I think children nowadays need to get a life! LOL!

    September 8, 2009 at 1:23 AM
  53. foongpc said...

    J2Kfm, ya me too, where got tuition during primary school? So easy no need to take tuition one lah! Haha!

    September 8, 2009 at 1:24 AM
  54. foongpc said...

    jam, oh, no holiday for people in Sarawak? Too bad! And no, I have not seen your childhood! Maybe something happened to you when you were small that caused you to enjoy traveling in your adulthood! Haha!

    September 8, 2009 at 1:26 AM
  55. foongpc said...

    manglish, what is "hua hee tiok ho"? Alamak! My Mandarin already bad, don't give me Hokkien words cos my Hokkien is worse! : )

    September 8, 2009 at 1:28 AM
  56. foongpc said...

    mariuca,yeah! Selangor is grand indeed! Glad I live and work in Selangor! Long live Selangor! haha!

    Ya, I also want to be a kid again but minus school and studies. Haha! If have to go to school, I think I prefer my working adult life! LOL!

    You enjoy your holiday too! : )

    September 8, 2009 at 1:31 AM
  57. foongpc said...

    foong speaks her mind, yes those stressed up students may grow up to be mentally disturbed adults! Who knows?

    September 8, 2009 at 1:32 AM
  58. foongpc said...

    tekkaus, wow! Must be looking forward to your one week Raya holidays! Me too! : )

    I don't like school because I hate the teachers, the rules, the homeworks, the studies, the projects, etc.etc. There are so many things I hate about school I can't list them all here!

    So you are like me too? Like Friday and dislike Sunday night? Hi five! : )

    Good thing you understand and make sure your children enjoy their childhood! Glad to hear that! : )

    September 8, 2009 at 1:35 AM
  59. foongpc said...

    reanaclaire, holiday for you in Perak too? Good, got more time for blogging right? haha!

    September 8, 2009 at 1:36 AM
  60. foongpc said...

    shingo T, you like school because you get to ogle at girls? Hmm, you can still ogle at girls outside school what! Haha! : )

    September 8, 2009 at 1:38 AM
  61. foongpc said...

    wenn, yes that's the attitude! Don't pressure the children, but don't relax them too much either! Walk the middle path is best! : )

    September 8, 2009 at 1:39 AM
  62. Chay said...

    Happy Holiday in your place ! Today is our Labor Day Holiday here in the US too.

    I agree with you on allowing the kids to live like kids, let them play, let them sleep in, let them have fun. When they get older - there will be little time to do all those things !

    Nice pictures !

    September 8, 2009 at 3:03 AM
  63. Ayie said...

    Ho foong, happy Monday!

    I can proudly say I enjoyed my childhood. I was a straight student and at the same time I see to it I enjoy alsoas a kid. i have my play time every afternoon from 4-6. As long as I'm done with my assignments and all i get to play out side with my friends.

    September 8, 2009 at 3:47 AM
  64. Cashmere said...

    I love my childhood and I absolutely miss those times.. Y is it a holiday anyway? What celebration is it?Sorry for being oblivious here.. ;D

    September 8, 2009 at 8:47 AM
  65. fufu said...

    wow i didnt know yesterday was holiday in selangor =p

    anyway not only the kids here, singapore hk and japan are even worse!!! it's too competitive noadays... imagine my old days...my parents only asked me go to the pasar help them jual sayur... never forced study nor sent me to tuition centre... but i could achieve well too...took the scholarship and flew to japan... i am not trying to show off here... just i would say... we cant force the kids to study... but just encourage =p

    September 8, 2009 at 10:41 AM
  66. iamthewitch said...

    Lucky you! Holiday on Monday. I guess you won't be missing Monday blues huh? :P As for me, it was just another workday full of work! I miss those year end holidays too!!! I know how! Go become a school teacher. :P

    September 8, 2009 at 10:55 AM
  67. Faisal Admar said...

    they don't even have childhood foong. started from my youngest sister who was born in year 1990, she never go and play with friends at the field nearby or even meet friend and talking with them under trees with benches provided under the trees. weird isn't it?

    they prefer to stay home and play computer games!

    i think kids nowadays miss a lot of things :)

    September 8, 2009 at 1:53 PM
  68. Twilight Man said...

    It was fun to work on Monday coz all my clients were on holiday. I think you are wrong about the kids today. Mostly are spoilt brats and big spenders. you can ask Michi who taught at the most expensive private school in KL. Your eyes will open and jaws drop in a shock to know how they behave. Serious!

    September 8, 2009 at 2:34 PM
  69. LifeRamblings said...

    kids nowadays are bombarded with way too much homework and projects, unlike my time, quite relaxed and less stressful.

    September 8, 2009 at 4:15 PM
  70. LifeRamblings said...

    obviously, every parents are very kiasu nowadays and want their kids to be competent and efficient in order to strive good grades in school.

    September 8, 2009 at 4:16 PM
  71. LifeRamblings said...

    but then, i try not to give too much pressure on my kids. as parents, I want them to study in a fun and stress-free environment. you're so right, kids need fun and deserve to enjoy their childhood.

    September 8, 2009 at 4:19 PM
  72. LifeRamblings said...

    too bad, no holiday here. :(

    September 8, 2009 at 4:20 PM
  73. keeyit said...

    My childhood also a good memory for me.

    September 8, 2009 at 9:18 PM
  74. Che-Cheh said...

    Friends, happy & care-free life. Hahaha

    September 10, 2009 at 11:41 AM
  75. foongpc said...

    chay, it's labor day in the US? Cool!

    Yes, children should be allowed to enjoy their childhood cos they will never get their childhood back once they become adults!

    Btw, thanks for dropping by! : )

    September 13, 2009 at 1:02 AM
  76. foongpc said...

    ayie, wow! You are a straight As student? So smart! I am straight Bs student haha!!

    Good to know you get to enjoy your childhood and able to balance your studies and play. Well, all work and no play makes Ayie a dull girl! Haha!

    September 13, 2009 at 1:05 AM
  77. foongpc said...

    cashmere, it's a Nuzul Al Quran holiday if I am not mistaken. Someone please correct me if I am wrong! I have to admit I do not know why we have holidays sometimes! LOL!

    You miss your childhood? Me too but I won't go back there again unless I don't have to go to school and sit for exams! : )

    September 13, 2009 at 1:07 AM
  78. foongpc said...

    fufu, of course you don't know lah, cos everyday is a holiday to you! Haha!

    Wah! last time you jual sayur at the market? So enterprising! But still can get scholarship and study in Japan! What a show-off! haha! Just kidding!

    Yeah, agree with you, can't force kids, only encourage : )

    September 13, 2009 at 1:11 AM
  79. foongpc said...

    iamthewitch, so working on Monday? Sorry about that! What to do? Come work in PJ lah! : )

    Become a school teacher? I think even though teachers get to enjoy holidays during school break, their workload is a lot and very stressed too. Not a good idea. Better stick to your current job : )

    September 13, 2009 at 1:13 AM
  80. foongpc said...

    faisal, lucky you are not like your sister! play computer games all day long? What kind of childhood is that? Sad, sad.

    September 13, 2009 at 1:15 AM
  81. foongpc said...

    twilight zone, who's talking about rich spoilt kids studying in international school? I'm talking about average children in Chinese schools. Pity them having to slog through their studies and homeworks daily and during holidays as well!

    September 13, 2009 at 1:17 AM
  82. foongpc said...

    life ramblings, yes too much projects and homework, sometimes I think their teachers are crazy!

    No holidays for you? Never mind, Hari Raya holidays coming! : )

    September 13, 2009 at 1:18 AM
  83. foongpc said...

    keeyit, good for you! : )

    September 13, 2009 at 1:18 AM
  84. foongpc said...

    che-cheh, yes indeed we have less problems and have more carefree life during our childhood - I guess most adults miss their childhood days. All the more we should make sure children enjoy their childhood! : )

    September 13, 2009 at 1:20 AM
  85. Ken Wooi said...

    i wish i could be young again..
    with no worries..
    happily playing..
    old edy lah.. sad.. =(

    kenwooi.com

    September 14, 2009 at 1:13 AM
  86. foongpc said...

    kenwooi, yeah, me too. Nice to be a child again but minus the studies and going to school! : )

    September 14, 2009 at 1:34 AM
  87. bluedreamer27 said...

    haha me too i hate going to school ....

    September 17, 2009 at 1:40 PM
  88. foongpc said...

    bluedreamer27, you hate school too? High 5! : )

    September 18, 2009 at 12:36 AM