Heh, heh, I beat you again ......

Jun 25th, 2007

Hi, friends.

Please accept my apologies for failing you.

For the past few days, you have visited, but saw nothing added in my blog. I am so sorry.

What happened?

Well, I was very, very busy exploring the internet.

It was quite a journey. I was buffeted and carried away, by wave after wave of information, information and more information as the “mouse” went “click”, “click”,”click”.

Very often, the ad infinitum of pages after pages of information had links that led to yet more pages of related information.

Problem: I got lost in that sea of information. After a number of “clicks”, I couldn’t find my initial page.

Fortunately, losing my initial page was unlike losing Ling’s 2 hrs’ worth of work (about a year ago.)

The loss then was a painful, heart-ache; but the loss now, on the contrary, is fun, fun, F-U-N.

I didn’t go to Ling for help. Instead, I enjoyed myself, day after day, clicking a link here and a link there. I got amused, each of the numerous times that I got “lost”. Then I hit on an idea. Viz: whenever I saw something that I liked to retain, I printed it.

Aha!

No loss now if I am lost – there is the hard copy in my hand.

Heh, heh, I beat you again, you computer, aka “thing”, aka “monster”.

Please order some tulips on the internet for me.

When I woke up this morning, I heard ”little darling” singing in her room.

As I approached her room, I heard yet another new song, coined by her. The lyrics went: ”hooray, hooray, my mommy is coming home today”.

Upon seeing me, she stopped her melodious (not everyone concur with this opinion) little song.

After our exchange of “good morning, por-por” and “good morning, darling” she said: “Por-por, please order some tulips on the internet for me. Mommy is coming home today”.

I can’t stop to marvel at the evolution of the humankind’s reaction and acceptance of information technology.

One day, perhaps twenty years ago, I went shopping (one of Singaporean’s fav pas-time) with my late mother. She noticed a queue at an ATM, observed that some people, after pressing a few times on the machine, moved away with cash in hand. In answer to her questions, I briefly explained what the ATM was about. Followed by my demonstration on how to withdraw some money.

Mother was thoroughly amazed; but concluded that she would rather deal directly with the bank cashier.

The next day, I shared the experience with my lunch-time “kakis”.**

Devi and Cheong, shared my mother’s mistrust and suspicion of the ATM. Devi voiced her fear that the ATM may issue lesser cash than recorded ………. etc. Her parting shot was, “I would rather go to the bank too”. Devi took many years to accept the use of ATM, on an URGENT basis only.

Those were the days when computers and such, were viewed with awe (by a good number of people besides Devi and I).

We were aware that the computers could do many things, besides saving a lot of time — when used by those who had the “know how”. Whereas Devi, many of my friends and I stood in awe of computers PLUS feared that a computer may blow up in our face at any time.

Over the years, more and more people accept the use of computers in their office and home.

Simultaneously, a whole generation of our children grew up, learning to use computers in schools. They use the word processors and spread sheets with ease. They refer to the ”Yellow Pages” on the internet when they need to check a phone number. They play games and make new friends via the net, on the computers. The list goes on.

Our grandchildren are growing up in an enviroment filled with computers and the constant mention of “the internet”.

Although I marvelled, I wasn’t very surprised when my little grand-daughter requested “please order some flowers on the internet for me”.

PS ”kakis” is Singlish. Translation: companions, friends, supporters. Originated from Malay where “kaki” means “leg”.

Confronted the “thing”, stood my ground n won

Hi,

Am much collected now. Able to recall how I confronted the “thing” (aka computer), stood my ground and won!

Looking back, it has been more than a year since I first switched on a computer.

My 2 darling daughters, on learning my decision to duel with the “thing”. CHEERED!

2rd daughter, Ling, offered to be my mentor and aide-de-camp for the duel.

In preparation for the confrontation, Ling, my daughter/mentor imparted to me, a glossary of new words. Mastering the glossary was a mega challenge for me as I have a short term memory.

Shortly into the turtoring, I asked: “what is “……” & “what is” …….” for the umpteenth times.

Ling patiently repeated herself and then suggested: “Before you forget, write it down in your own words, what ……… means”.

As I hurriedly attempted to scribble into my notebook, Ling exhorted, ”Wait, understand first, before you write, no need to rush”,

After 2 hours, I developed a severe headache, a bad attack of confusion and the desire to throw in the towel.

“I’m sorry mum, maybe I loaded you too quickly n caused u an information overload. Rest. Don’t push yourself. Duelling the computer can be fun.” came the reassuring response from Ling.

“I can’t” I whined.

“You can. Just don’t give up” said Ling.

“Yes! you can, por-por*” piped my ‘little darling’ (aka grand-daughter) shooting a clenched, little, 4 years old fist (She is 5 years old now) into the air — very much alike a motivational speaker whom I knew.

“Yes! you can” Ling & “little darling” chorused.

Then “little darling” broke into a dance and sang as she salsa around the room.

My headache broke, and my confusion cleared — like magic; as I enjoyed my ”little darling’s” song n dance.

“Yes! I can”, I echoed them. As I punched the air with a clenched fist, I added: “YES, I could n I would”.

“Ling, continue please.”

“Let me confront this “thing”, and take it on seriously”.

As I said so, I sat, with fresh determination, in front of the computer. THEN, with much grit, I switched on the computer for the first time.

After which, I turned to my “little darling” with a chuckle, a smug smile n the tongue in cheek comment: ”Heh, heh, I got it.”

From then, days turned into weeks and weeks into months.

Meanwhile, “Little darling” has turned 5.

During that period, Ling taught me “spreadsheet” and ”wordprocessing”. In the course of which, I once, accidently erased 2 hours’ worth of her hard work in one of her projects. My heart ached, when I noticed that she courageously fought back the tears that brimmed in her eyes as she remarked: ”I should have practised what I taught; and saved my work like I’ve told you”.

A few days after that incident, as I was practising on my computer, a dialogue box popped up on the screen.

I FROZE.

“Oh no, not again” I whispered to myself, as a knot grew in my stomach.

I called out anxiously, “Ling, Ling, I’m so sorry, I must have done something which I’m not suppose to do, again”.

Ling came to me, put her arm round my shoulder saying, “mum, relax”.

After taking a look at the screen, she explained that the dialogue box was a msg from the security software which was installed in the computer. The security software was reminding us to do some updating.

From then on, as in the cliche oft quoted, “It was history.”

I have confronted my fear of the computer, challenged it, stood my ground and WON!!!

PS *”por-por” is a Cantonese (Chinese dialect) term, used in addressing or refering to our maternal grandmother.

New start

WHOA !!!

I can’t imagine that I am finally BLOGGING!!!

Me, a 61 years young lady, who not so long ago feared that this “thing” (aka computer) may blow up in my face any time.

I am too excited to continue. Thank you for sharing this GREAT moment. Do visit tomorrow & continue my new journey with me.