I remember reading this book, back when I was in Form 1 (1991). My English was bad, and my only motivation was other pupils, who were better than I was. But this is not what I want to write about in this entry. It's all about my daughter,my lil' princess.
Yesterday was the parents-teacher meeting day at our Nicole's kindergarten. I went there and discussed with her class teacher on Nicole's performance in her K2 first semester evaluation tests. My hearts, as her parents, swelled that they might pop, learning her very well performance in the test. All A+. Even I didn't do that well during my first years of school. (Okay, maybe I did, but remember I was in rural school, there weren't much competition then). English, B. Malaysia, and Mathematics, she did very, very well. But then, besides me being the tough mentor at home, maybe the reward I promised for getting all As in her subjects contributed to her strong motivation. I was counting in my head, ready to budget RM for her big toys.
Then, after the oohs, and aahs (in my head and heart only), came the sunken feelings. Her Chinese was a bit poor. B+, maybe good enough considering she comes from a family with zero knowledge in Chinese language. I know I should be congratulating her, but I feel sad too. First, because I know the mistakes she did in the test are not because she didn't know or understand (maybe the colouring part), but for some unknown reason, the one she did in her 2nd semester evaluation test in K1, Math subject. I know she knew that, but I don't know why she got it wrong. Second, she will be attending a chinese school, I am afraid she would not be able to cope if Chinese language is her main barrier.
As a parent, I should be more than proud of her achievement. I was setting all As as her target, but I guess it was unrealistic. She is 4 years old, for one's sake!
Well, from the bottom of my heart, dear Nicole, I am really, really proud of you. You have done your best, and that's enough for us. Thank God for His blessings upon us. (I know she is able to read this, for I will teach her to... hehehe)
So, that Great Expectation, isn't as great as our Nicole is, to me.
I remember us been given that particular book as english subject teaching material back in 1991. Honestly, I don't understand or remember the end of the story and I fail to appreciate it. Most probably becoz..my english was poor too. And years later, the movie with the same title released featuring Gwyneth Paltrow, then I realized it is indeed a great masterpiece. I don't have the book as collection, but I do include the DVD on my Greatest Movie Collection.
ReplyDeleteHa, great to know someone is actually 'speaking' my language, who knows what I am talking about. I was captured by the pictures (mostly just black and white ones), and actually, that was how I 'read' the book. For one's sake, I don't even know what 'always' means!! Hahaha...
ReplyDeleteHahaha...if you are captured by the black and white pictures, I..on the other hand...captured by the main character's name...'Pip'. That's the first and the last thing I remember about the book back then.
ReplyDeleteMesmerized, by different things about a common thing. Ntah apa2 lah maksudnya tu.
ReplyDeletehahahaha. Ya...akupun nda paham. Anyway...it is (Great Expectation book) indeed a great masterpiece. The story, the message...all of it is still relevan even to this era. Each of us always has a great expectation about everything..and often it came out that, what we expect greatly is not as great as we thought it is...and the other way round. At least that is what I understand about the hidden message of that book now. At last!!!! Hahahahha.
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