Saturday, June 25, 2011

PSLE Survival Guide

When we first saw this book in the library, we laughed out loud. We were laughing at how the PSLE had made a mockery of Singaporean families that we actually need a Survival Guide! We were also laughing at ourselves because at that moment, we were wondering how we were going to survive this PSLE year, lol!


I should explain, for the foreign readers of this blog, PSLE refers to Primary School Leaving Examinations - a huge rite of passage for 12 year olds in Singapore, as they graduate from Primary to Secondary schools. The PSLE is a nation-wide standardised testing that has become a big deal, determining entry to the 'best' or 'popular' schools, and stressing out all parents and children alike. No matter how we disagree with and dislike it, we are all caught up in it, and with Jared sitting for the PSLE this year, it has practically overtaken our everyday lives!

For my fellow Singaporeans who are interested in the book, it has some good pointers, but mostly it was great to read about  how another family 'struggled' as we did and hear how they survived! What was best is that it is easy to read with humourous short chapters, which even Jared was keen to read, and which made a lot of sense to him, we could connect, and that was quite amazing!

I liked some gems in the book, like the idea of going through this year as a family, taking it like a family project, not unlike when we did our renovations last year, the family suffered together, did everything together, went the extra mile to help each other, we will surely bond and grow stronger together! And how the most important thing in revision is not in getting all the answers right, but for the children to learn how to 'learn by themselves' - personal growth and maturity! I am looking at the next 3 months with new perspective!

We actually see Jared doing just that, growing and maturing, slowly but surely! He wants badly to go to Ryan's school, and is putting in effort and heart, going against his usual playful, completely distracted nature. He is growing up! I felt compelled to make a layout to capture it  :)

Don't you think he has really grown? These were photos we took for him in his applications to some of the secondary schools. He has to write personal statements, go for tests and interviews, crazy, isn't it? He is taking it all in his stride, really growing up :)

In the midst of all the applications and preparation for PSLE, we took a much needed break (6 days!!) to our favourite Rawa island paradise! The best family time ever!!
 
 


Of course I have completed some more layouts.. from Shanghai...here we were at the 'transparent' viewing deck of the Oriental Pearl...
..visiting a Shikumen (old Shanghainese brick home) museum
At the Shanghai Museum..so much treasures!
And the Urban Planning Centre


Also, starting up on my 2011 photos, did up a layout from January of our place under renovations, oh it seems so long ago, haha
While our home was being renovated in January, both Ryan and Jared had their birthdays (3 days apart), so we had simple birthday celebrations at home in the half renovated living/ family room


This template is now available as Template Pack 8 in the Store. Thanks for your interest!

42 comments:

  1. I love reading your blog! My middle son is going from elementary to junior high this year. I'm glad he didn't have to take a test! That would be stressful. It will just be a new level. Thank you for the wonderful template!

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  2. Thanks for the template! I always love to see your layouts and beautiful photos. Your family seems like such a joy..

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  3. Thank you for the template. You are so inspirational in so many ways. Perhaps testing like that IS what we need here in America! And that vacation spot....looked gorgeous. Glad you got a break to enjoy family and God's creation.

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  4. I always love your templates because they have clean lines and room for lots of pictures. I wanted to scrap these vacation pics and so I knew right where to come to find a template, and the very first template I found was perfect. Thanks so much.

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  5. I added a link from my blog http://becomingpeculiar.blogspot.com/2011/06/portland-vacation.html

    Thanks again your templates are so wonderful!

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  6. I wanted to thank you for the older free templates too. I guess i thought i owned everything you had but realized i had not gone to 2009. I didn't start digital until last year and still have not done much. But i love your multi-photo templates. I don't know if those templates are the ones you are talking about removing but thanks for prompting me to complete my collection! Now just to use them ( :

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  7. I love that layout of Jared and the PSLE. Such an important time to remember! I love the background and tags too... so fresh and colorful! Thanks for the new template! I just posted one the other day: Braden's 6th Birthday

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  8. I think that link didn't work quite right... :) Try this URL instead:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/familybees/5820441920/

    Thanks!

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  9. AnonymousJune 25, 2011

    Thanks so much!!!

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  10. Your templates are the best and I appreciate that you share these!

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  11. Good luck on the upcoming examination preparation! You have a great attitude.

    Thanks so much for sharing your stories, your layouts and your templates! :)

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  12. AnonymousJune 25, 2011

    Just a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave in the DigiFree category today [26 Jun 01:00am GMT]. Thanks, Maria

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  13. Thank you! Your templates are such a wonderful gift! Love the latest layouts! Good luck to Jared!

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  14. Your templates are always so awesome. Its seems like you are one of few who understand that if I am making a page, I want all the pictures I can on it! Thanks for the freebies, I use your templates OFTEN!

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  15. The family vacation picture is my favorite...Jared's thumbs up and Ryan's monkey shirt made me laugh!

    The next 'water shot' should be a post card!!

    I'll put Jared on my prayer list. I know how important this time is, but I love the 'family project' advice.

    I've said this before, but it's always fun to see a new post by the awesome Yin. :D Thanks for the template...I wouldn't have any pages done without your help!

    Hugs!

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  16. Thank you so much for another beautiful template! I love to use them to get several photos arranged well on a page.
    Sharon

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  17. AnonymousJune 27, 2011

    loved your post and your family is beautiful!
    sweetsandia from CA,USA

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  18. Thank you again! My 'templates by Yin' folder is the one I turn to first when I scrap photos!!

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  19. Thank you so much for sharing such great templates!

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  20. Hi, I love all of your templates. I was wondering what lens you used for the above shots in the ocean and sand castle?

    Thanks.

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  21. Thanks for your comments on the book. I am glad that you and your boy like it.

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  22. Hi Christie, we use Canon S90 point and shoot camera for all our shots! My dh would like to add that it's the man behind the camera that made the difference! :)

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  23. Thank you very much for your templates. I´m brazilian, wife and mother like you, but I´m just beggining in the digiscrap art. So I still don´t know how to use it. But they are my inspiration for my layouts. Soon I´ll send you some of them.
    I love your layouts because It´s simple and the ellements don´t appear more than the photos as usual. Photos are more important. And all the rest help to tell the story in a interesting way. Paula.

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  24. Thanks for this new freebie!
    You can see how much I love your templates here:
    http://mescrapsmavie.canalblog.com/archives/2011/06/29/21510493.html#comments

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  25. Snoopy 22July 06, 2011

    Thanks a lot, merci beaucoup

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  26. AnonymousJuly 08, 2011

    Thanks so much for another WONDERFUL template!

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  27. I read with interest your comments on the test your son will soon take. I'm a teacher in Kansas and it seems like our lives revolve around testing =( Best wishes to your son and thanks for the lovely template!

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  28. AnonymousJuly 08, 2011

    Thanks for the template! cj

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  29. Great freebie! You've been featured on the Quality DigiScrap Freebies blog:

    http://qualitydigiscrapfreebies.blogspot.com/2011/07/two-page-layered-psd-template-from.html

    We hand select only the best digiscrap freebies for our readers.

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  30. AnonymousJuly 08, 2011

    Yin,
    Thank you for you generously sharing these wonderful templates. I really appreciate it.

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  31. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  32. Thanks for all the templates. Your pages and photos are beautiful, love them.

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  33. Thanks a lot for another wonderful free Template

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  34. Hi Yin, we are 'surviving' our last year of high school ... thanks for your comment on my blog! :)

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  35. Hi Yin! I came over today and downloaded a bunch of your freebie templates, thank you so much for creating them and sharing them with us! I found your stories fun to read and inspiring to - you've got a lovely tight family! I enjoyed looking at photos of your home too, the improvements were amazing :)

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  36. Thanks you !!!

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  37. hey Yin! Thanks for yet ANOTHER fantastic template ... I've got more pages up on my blog, all created because of your genius *grin*. Hope that you are doing well ... ~ Tawn

    http://www.homemakingirl.blogspot.com

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  38. Hi, just want to say a big thank you for sharing your fabulous templates.

    Also, even though I've never been outside of the US (and only visited 4 states) you've taken me with you on your trips through your wonderful layouts. Thanks!!

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  39. Thanks so much for the template!

    My son finished elementary school back in May and started middle school in August. Y'all sure do have a lot to do for that bridge!

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