If I'm not a teacher, I might be a/an......

1) Geomancer/Fortune Teller: No, it has nothing to do with superstition nor religion. More to do with learning beyond what basic knowledge I have now of Chinese Mysticism. The knowledge can be used to learn more about the universe and help guide people around me to lead better lives. If anyone think this is a good avenue to strike rich for both me and/or the querent, then he is terribly mistaken, because I said better (happier, more enriching/meaningful) lives, not become richer. Yes, I do not regard highly people who only want to become richer and more powerful.

2) Chinese Physician: Unknown to most people, all basic knowledge about 5 elements, yin & yang, etc is applied to Chinese Wushu, Astrology, Astronomy, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Taoism. Putting religion aside, all these knowledge form the basis on which to explore various areas of studies. TCM has been around for more than 2 thousand years and the sheer collective wisdom accumulated throughout the ages is usually little known or usually misunderstood. I may prefer to be clean and neat, but I believe the wisdom of our ancestors are a good guide to healthy living. It is better to share such wisdom with other common folk, instead of waiting until struck by cancer and following recommendations of Western doctors to do chemotherapy and have TCM as post therapy treatment.

3) Chinese Historian/History Researcher/History Lecturer: My love and fascination of 3000+ years of history has never been fully explored. I would be more than willing to share my knowledge to people (yes, Westerners are more keen than Asians to learn about Chinese History) who are interested to know.

4) Researcher in Institute of Policy Studies: Politics have always been interesting and by keeping myself abreast with developments around the world, I believe it keeps my analytical mind sharp.

Times have changed... for the worst.

Times are constantly changing. We all know because things are different. (The list below will be updated again when more behaviour is recalled/observed.)

In the Past:
1) When we didn't submit our work, we were so frightened when the teachers made us stand.
2) When we achieved 50% of the marks for a test/exam, we knew we didn't study enough and felt disappointed and ashamed.
3) It is correct to return all utensils and crockery after a meal in a foodcourt/canteen/someone else's kitchen. We also ensure that any food dropped onto the tables/floors are cleared and disposed of properly.
4) We throw away rubbish that we see around us in school even when it was someone else who dropped it.
5) Once reprimanded/scolded by teachers, we would keep quiet for the entire lesson, be ashamed and apologise to the teacher.
6) Try our best to meet the target set by teacher, like desperately reaching the 300/500 word for an essay.
7) Submit our late assignment immediately after school or the very next day.
8) Give the guilty look when reprimanded and keep quiet throughout.
9) Read storybooks during holidays, after school, and all other free time.
10) Help to lay crockery/utensils on the table before a meal and wash dishes after a meal.
11) Address all elders at a table before dining.
12) Eat whatever food is on the table.
13) Parents caned their children when they hear that their children has been punished in school.

Now:
1) "I forgot", "I never bring". Standing is a daily business which doesn't seem a big deal at all.
2) "Luckily I'm not the lowest in class." "I passed!"
3) Plates, food wrapping, cups are all left for other people to clear. The mess is left behind and no one bothers.
4) "This rubbish is not mine."
5) Keep silent for not more than 5mins, then start talking to classmate sitting beside AGAIN. (Where's the apology?)
6) Anyhow scribble and submit a piece of paper that is so crushed/torn/smudged and contains less words than a primary 5 compo.
7) Keep quiet and hope that the teacher forgets to collect the assignment. (got count for CA or not also the same)
8) Look elsewhere or just stare blankly at the teacher scolding as if nothing is happening/give a defense that is almost good enough to defend a murderer in court/"Whatever, I don't care."
9) Chat on MSN, play Maple Story/CS/DOTA/Audition, SMS everyone and claim that life is boring despite rotting (doing nothing) at home.
10) Arrive at the table after completing the game/chat, leave immediately after finish eating. Might do some clearing only when asked to.
11) Start taking favourite food before everyone is seated at the dining table.
12) "Eeee, I dunwan this." "Ewww, I dun eat dat."
13) Various reasons are given as to why a child cannot be caned, but nothing is said about giving the child the appropriate punishment for an offence he/she has committed.