P3 Journey

(Written: 2nd Jan.  A long overdue post, but not even sure what to write.  Start from the back then.)

  Not surprising, we did not attend the prize giving for this year as she is not the top 3 of her class, nor did she get the top Maths price award.  She's now in one of the 2 best classes of the cohort, thus not unexpected that she's not the top 3.  Based on her marks, and some of the programs and tests she took, she is probably the top 10 in her class.

The highlight of P3 for kids who are academically incline, and their parents, is probably GEP.  She got through to the 2nd round, which is supposed to mean that she is in the top (10 -20%, I'm not sure) of the country's cohort.  There were 12 in her class who made it to the 2nd round.  Assuming another 12 from the other top class, her school has exactly 10% (24 out of 240 P3) going into the 2nd round selection.  And eventually it is exactly top 1%, ie 2 students from her school, getting into the GEP program.    Lili asked if Lynn was disappointed.  Both Lynn and myself were not, because I always knew that she is not the top 1%.  GEP is for gifted kids; she is academically inclined, but not gifted.  I set Lynn's expectation too, telling her that it is unlikely for her to get selected. 

This year's year-end exam, I was disappointed that she fell ill and did not take her composition exams.  I can only console my myself that it is the learning journey that is important, and not the exam itself. 

What do I think Lynn got out of this year's experience.  My guess are that, she's finally starting to get a little taste of what competition means.  Definitely, what it means by 一山还有一山高。The teachers will give them some pressure, but not excessive.  And she like science, which is a good start.  I'm glad that she went through another happy year at school.   Next year, it is still the languages that she has to work hard on.

Finally, I want to document this conversation that I had with her.  At 9, she's already starting to have thoughts about life and purpose (for me, it only started in secondary school).   Not that she asked about what's life and it's purpose, but she said that sometimes she feels "empty".  Especially after play.  I said something to her, but I can't recall what.

Just 2 days ago, during my dinner with Aunt Cindy, I asked why she doesn't consider taking up a hobby so that she can retire.  The context of this statement is that, she can't retire because she is not the kind that can enjoy doing nothing.  She explained that it is because her hobby is making money, that's why she is not retiring.  She enjoys her frequent travels, have been to many exotic places experiencing different cultures and natures.  She has the money to retire and go for more traveling.  But she said that when she comes back from these purposeful travels, she still feels "empty".

I think, the conclusion is that, money and play can buy one happiness when one's playing, but they don't buy fulfillment.  What we need in life is fulfillment.  Now, I'm more ready for my gal, when she brings up the topic again.

As I type this (230pm), the renovation is still ongoing.  So excited for her, her new room and study table to accompany her in her journey and challenges in 2016!