First day blues in school for Year One pupils

The first day of school is a special day for the children.

It is a big step forward for these seven-year-olds as for the first time they leave the comfort of their homes and their parents to start their first day of school which reopen for a new academic year on Monday, 4th January 2010.

The excitement, stress, anxiety and fear these pupils faced adjusting to a new face of life are expected and normal.

Working parents take leave or time off from work (most employers have no problem with this) to bring their children to school on the first day of school to lend support and to prepare their children for this new environment.

Mai Tomyam went to SRJK (C) Puay Chai in SS2, Petaling Jaya on this truly momentous occasion and captured on photos the intriguing moments of these Year One (Standard 1) pupils on their very first day of school.



The child's understanding of boredom sets in as there are no lessons on the first day in school.


Children find the first day in school boring.

This child probably hasn't had enough sleep.


The first day of school is so draggy, long and boring.


"How was your first day of school?"


A child's first day in school can be challenging.


Boring class but this boy can't fall asleep.
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This is cool.. boy!

Boring course, relaxing life.
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Starting school can be very stressful for some children as they find themselves separated from their parents and in a totally new environment.
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Less taxing, more relaxing for this pupil.
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A pupil taking a glance at her mother who was standing outside the Year One classroom. Her brother is studying in Year Three of the same shcool.
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Some pupils have no problems adjusting.
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Children are bored when they can't find anything to do.


These pupils are actually very happy to get to school and making new friends.


It is important to go with your child on the first day of school. This will give the child a greater sense of security.
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Parents of pupils queueing up in the classroom to pay school fees to the class treacher. x
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Looking Forward, Looking Back

The beginning of a every new year is marked by celebration because it's a chance to look forward to the all the possibilities of the next year and examine what happened in the one past. This idea of looking to the future while not forgetting the past is central in fashion, with seasonal collections often inspired by trends and designers of days gone by. Thoughts of the relationship between past, present, future and fashion were inspired by this Vogue photograph circa 1951 which made me realize that there is no future fashion that will not have its roots in the past. I found this beautiful image thanks to Ms. Spinach, who recently shared a link to myvintagevogue's photostream on flickr which features hundreds of lovely images from past issues of Vogue magazine. Maybe one of these images will provide you with some inspiration for the new year.

Happy New Year

Just another week or so until we get back into full stride after a hectic end to 2009. In the meantime we’d like to wish all our friends and readers a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2010.

Readers might be surprised to learn that today’s photo was taken in Šibenik on the Croatian Dalmatian Coast in February 2009. It’s not often that snow falls, let alone settles, on the coast.

1 Utama 2010 Countdown Concert: One magnificent night of stellar performances

Thousands of new year revellers partied the night away at the 1 Utama 2010 Countdown Concert held on the eve of 31 December 2009 at the outdoor Central Park Avenue (1 Utama new wing).

It was one magnificent night of stellar performances by some of the finest local and international performers such as award winning hip hop artiste Joe Flizzow (formerly from hip hop band Too Phat), Asia’s leading hip hop rock band Pop Shuvit and Asia’s legendary music band Beyond from Hong Kong.

The steller performances ushered in the new year with the merrymakers celebrating the arrival of 2010 until the wee hours with the night’s star-studded performances and a spectacular international musical firework presentation when the clock struck midnight.



Moots (with his right hand raised) and four other members from local hip hop rock band Pop Shuvit had the audience in awe with their adrenaline packed live performance and electric blend of hip hop and rock. The band got its name from a skateboarding trick of almost the same name.


Pop Shuvit was once again chosen from 20,000 applicants to perform at the "South by Southwest Conferences and Festivals 2010" (SXSW 2010) to be held in Austin, Texas, USA in March 2010.
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JD Wong from Pop Shuvit in action on stage with his guitar.


DJ Uno from Pop Shuvit spinning and mixing tracks at the turntable.

Great performance by local band Crossfire wows the crowd.


Crossfire band members get the crowd rocking right from the start.


Yes Crossfire is good.


The only female member of the Crossfire band.


Hip hop solo act Joe Flizzow (formerly of Too Phat) giving a solid performance.


Johan bin Ishak is better known by his stage name Joe Flizzow is an award winning Malaysian hip hop artist and businessman.


The breakdancers showing off their dance moves.


DiGi Superstar Azizi Zakaria, 18, captivated the crowd with his singing prowess and vocals.
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Azizi Zakaria was the 1st Runner Up of the DiGi CelebriTeen 2007 Competition.


Teen sensation Alvin Chong, 18, serenading the crowd with his beautiful songs.


Alvin Chong was a finalist for Digicelebriteen 2007, Leo Idol champion 2008 and was in the top 5 finalists for Astro Talent Quest 2009.

Astro Talent Quest is an annual Chinese singing competition in Malaysia organized by ASTRO Wah Lai Toi, which was first held in 1996. This competition is aimed at showcasing and unearthing talents among young Malaysian Chinese between ages 18 to 28. The winner (and runner-up, of late) will then represent Malaysia at the International Chinese New Talent Singing Competition.
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New styles and sounds abound from local newbie singer-songwriter Will Ng (黃威爾).


Will Ng delighting the crowd with light pop songs and love ballads.


Astro Star Quest 2008 Second Runner Up and one of Top 5 Finalists - Astro Battleground 2007 Choo Hao Ren's (朱豪仁) clear voice totally mesmerized all who were there.


Choo Hao Ren delighting the crowd with pop music and dance.


Choo Hao Ren showing off his dance moves.


Asia’s legendary music band Beyond from Hong Kong - Yip Sai Wing (left) and Paul Wong with their terrific showmanship and dynamic vocals.


Beyond member Yip Sai Wing delighted the crowd with his dynamic act.

Beyond member Paul Wong put up a splendid show.


Beyond member Paul Wong (left) and a member of local band Crossfire playing the guitars.


Together with local band Crossfire, Beyond members Yip Sai Wing (3rd from left) and Paul Wong (2nd from right) belted out their evergreen hits for over an hour and the crowd was completely into it.


The emcees for the night cleverly worked the packed crowd up.


The passionate fans of Beyond that sang along with their pop idols.


Thousands celebrating the arrival of 2010 at 1 Utama 2010 Countdown Concert held at Central Park Avenue of 1 Utama shopping centre in Petaling Jaya.


The local and international artistes and bands keeping the audience pumped up with their high-octane performances.


At the stroke of midnight, a spectacular international musical firework lights up the sky to welcome 2010.


It was a night of dazzling display of fireworks.


About the same time, two confetti machines located at each end of the concert stage shoot up confetti into the air.


Silver confetti rainning down on revellers to mark the arrival of the new year.


The happy cheers of the crowd as confetti rained down on revellers and fireworks streaked into the sky.


DiGi Superstars posing with their fans.


The lovable icon Digi Yellowman (DYM) captured attention.


Beyond member Paul Wong posing with DiGi Yellowman.
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