I have had Notion since 2022. Never really made use of it though. However, lately, I have been wanting to be more organised and looking at Notion again, I realised just how powerful this tool can be.
I’m just so excited at the possibilities.
While it just looks like a table, it is so much more than that! For anyone needing any sort of scheduler or a to-do list or even just a space to write down your thoughts, try checking out Notion.
As mentioned in my previous post, my dad was recently scammed.
There was a neighbourhood police post nearby. I say ‘was’ as even though the physical unit space was there, it’s no longer manned by the police.
In its place is some sort of self-service reporting kiosk. Initially, I thought there would be sort of video-on-demand kind of video calls but I didn’t see any way of activating that service.
There were on-screen prompts to help someone make a police report but my dad told me later that, if I weren’t there, he wouldn’t have known how to begin making the report.
He told me that he would have probably waited or gone to the Neighbourhood Police Centre instead even though he does realise that time is of the essence especially in these cases when the scam is fresh.
Just last night, my dad was a victim of a scam.
He received a call from someone identifying himself as an insurance agent from overseas. Let’s call this guy Jason (not his real name). Jason asked my dad if he had ever purchased an insurance policy overseas. My dad said no and Jason told my dad that there were an insurance policy in my dad’s name and that as my dad had just ‘confirmed’ that he had not purchased any policy, that my dad is now being suspected of being involved in money laundering. Jason further told my dad that an officer from MAS would be giving him a call.
Jason said that before MAS gives my dad a call, Jason would like to help my dad ‘secure’ his monies to ensure that in the event MAS were to conduct a raid of the money launderers, my dad’s money would be safe.
Jason then instructed my dad to open an account with GXS bank. Jason then asked my dad to transfer everything he had from his various bank accounts into this GXS account.
I really have no idea how but I thank God that my dad got suspicious at this point. I mean, to be fair, he could have been a little bit more cautious. Anyway, long story short, we made a police report and locked his bank accounts.
To find out more about the scam, read this link. Turned out, Mothership had actually ran an article about a very very similar incident that happened in January. Unfortunately for the lady involved, she lost S$100,000. The way it happened with my dad was identical! Even the suspect’s name was the same!
I think more education is needed to help our seniors. I don’t think the awareness campaigns are working very well. There’s still a gap that’s not being addressed and our vulnerable seniors are still being targeted by these scammers.
It’s been a while since I have last touched this blog.
Where do I begin? So many things have happened. The last post I made here (which I have deleted) was about me and NIE.
So it’s been a good few years since.
I guess a quick update would be good?
I’ve finished my PGDE. I’ve gone on to teach in a primary school. In fact, I have completed my bond! I’ve also resigned from MOE and I am now working in a polytechnic.
I am going to try and have a better understanding of what I want this space to be. Product reviews? Thoughts on education? Some amateur video recordings of travel?
In the meantime, have a great 2025.
During the Meranti Project over the last weekend, we had an experienced teacher come in for a dialogue session with my GESL group. The teacher shared something interesting with the group – the marigolds and the walnuts.
Many experienced gardeners follow a concept called companion planting: placing certain vegetables and plants near each other to improve growth for one or both plants. For example, rose growers plant garlic near their roses because it repels bugs and prevents fungal diseases. Among companion plants, the marigold is one of the best: It protects a wide variety of plants from pests and harmful weeds. If you plant a marigold beside most any garden vegetable, that vegetable will grow big and strong and healthy, protected and encouraged by its marigold.
Marigolds exist in our schools as well – encouraging, supporting and nurturing growing teachers on their way to maturity. If you can find at least one marigold in your school and stay close to them, you will grow. Find more than one and you will positively thrive.
While seeking out your marigolds, you’ll need to take note of the walnut trees. Successful gardeners avoid planting vegetables anywhere near walnut trees, which give off a toxic substance that can inhibit growth, wilt, and ultimately kill nearby vegetable plants. And sadly, if your school is like most, walnut trees will be abundant. They may not seem dangerous at first. In fact, some may appear to be good teachers – happy, social, well-organized. But here are some signs that you should keep your distance: Their take on the kids is negative. Their take on the administration is negative. Being around them makes you feel insecure, discouraged, overwhelmed, or embarrassed.
WALNUT TREES ARE POISON. Avoid them whenever you can. If you don’t, they will start to infect you, and soon you’ll hate teaching as much as they do.
– Jennifer Gonzalez, Find Your Marigold
I thought this was absolutely lovely. I am thankful that while I was in my old school, I had loads of marigolds around me. I shall strive to look out for the marigolds whilst in NIE. At the same time, I need to strive to make sure I do not become a walnut.