Yesterday, I went to an exhibition about the dead sea scrolls. It was pretty amazing. In reality it was about the bible, the people involved and the scrolls. I would mention the scrolls discovery and what interests me, the copper scroll.
The dead sea scrolls were found near the dead sea, in a place called Qumran. There are 9 caves and all contained items. Cave 4 is the most productive with 15000 pieces from 200 texts. According to the guides at the exhibition, the scrolls were found be a boy looking for a missing goat. On the way, he found a cave. He thought the goat might be in it, so he trew stones in to try to scare the goat out. Instead of finding his goat, he heard sounds of breaking pottery. Under investigation, he discovered the pottery were filled with scrolls. This cave would turn out to be cave three.
Now about the particular item that interests me. The copper scroll was the last one of 15 scrolls found in cave 3. It is written on a thin sheet of copper, and rolled up. Iy=t is actually 2 pieces, presumely because it broke in half when it was rolled up. The copper scroll was ultimately cut into sections by a saw as it could not be openned by conventional means due to large amounts of erosion. The scroll is actually a list of specific places, 64 in total, and the large amount of treasure hidden at those places. The treasure consists of mainly talents of gold or silver or other precious metals. The total is estimated in tons. The list also mentions another list in which there would be further intructions and directions. The interesting thing is, it could not be a hoax. At that time people did not really have such a good sense of humour as to write a treasure map and hide it among other well known documents in order to trigger a massive treasure hunt for nothing in the future.
The other scrolls were written on animal skin. This made it very difficult for the scholors to read what was on the scrolls as the skins blackened the invention of infra-red technology finally gave the scholors a look at the scrolls and try to piece them together. The first thought was to use the handwriting style to piece them together until the scholors realised that the same scribe could be copying the same script over and over again, so they realised they had to use another different method. The use of DNA testing came about. The animal skins pieced together had to have the same DNA. All together, the testing cost a lot. The translation however, has yet to be completed, even though the scrolls have been discovered half a century ago.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
BP (Lost count)
Before I start writing this BP (probably the eighth one), I would like to apologise for the period of silence, I have been studying for tests and I only managed to pull myself up now. Also, the available BPs are getting tougher to answer. Its almost like the teachers aspect you to get better at writing through this compulsory piece of work. Then again, they probably do.
/*Discuss how terrorism has changed the way we lived.*/
/*Discuss how terrorism has changed the way we lived.*/
Terrorism has changed our lives in many ways. For example, the security of various important and even unimportant places have risen considerably. This impedes movement in places like airports and removes some of the freedom in travelling. People around the world are more cautious and afraid of things like bombs and mass killings. Terrorism has put many previously unknown people or nations of "unimportance" into the limelight.
Fighting terrorism is difficult to the point of being impossible. That is why it is so scary and dangerous. Anywhere you go, terrorism could be lurking around the corner. Perhaps terrorism has changed the world more than we think. It could be good. for example, People all over the world are more cautious about their mortality, also, various nations from all over the world are working together, be it through NATO, the European Union or ASEAN and other multinational organisations, fighing off this danger. However, it has changed the world to be far worse than ever before. More people around the world live in fear, more materials that are precious and disappearing are being used up to make more weapons and bombs, more people, innocent or not, are being killed every single day.
Most of all Terrorism has made us more cynical, more alert and more informed. People might read the news to find out more about a certain subject and learn more about current affairs. More people would look at things in a whole new way when they see something that does not seem quite right. More people would check their surroundings in public to look for any suspicious items or people. All this would help to make the world a much safer place from terrorism.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
E-learning BP, Gambling
/*The casino being built in Singapore is supposed to be a money-maker and job creator. However, many people have spoken against it. Talk to a parent or adult and get their view on the casino. Listen to the NPR and YouTube offerings and choose one that substantiates your viewpoint and include a quote from it as well. Your blog entry has to be at least 200 words and you must either support the casino or condemn its construction and ultimately the hardships it will cause in Singapore*/
I support the casino being built in Singapore and many people around Singapore share my view. Although many people believe that the casino would fail terribly in its first years due to the current recession, why can't it work the other way around?
People without jobs and who desperately need the money can resort to gambling for money. Hardcore gamblers might start going to the casino once it opens and perhaps start going there regularly. People from all around the world, especially South-East Asia, would come to Singapore just to go to the casino. This also boosts the tourism industry. The casino creates jobs for the people, along with many other jobs in the IR.
All the good things the casino can bring definitely outweighs whatever hardships it may bring in the future.
My mother works as a stock broker. She too, supports the casino being built. The stock market has got very still over the past few days. The recession probably has bottomed out, with the "worst of it" over. This means that the chance to earn has pretty much gone down the drain. In other words, she joked, people might go to the casino during their lunch break to "try their luck" and get back to the office after some time.
Would this happen all around Singapore too? People may be motivated by the recession. The casino may be another, external source of revenue for the working class.
No doubt the casino may bring hardships to Singaporeans, but the good things it can bring to Singapore ultimately outweighs them all.
I support the casino being built in Singapore and many people around Singapore share my view. Although many people believe that the casino would fail terribly in its first years due to the current recession, why can't it work the other way around?
People without jobs and who desperately need the money can resort to gambling for money. Hardcore gamblers might start going to the casino once it opens and perhaps start going there regularly. People from all around the world, especially South-East Asia, would come to Singapore just to go to the casino. This also boosts the tourism industry. The casino creates jobs for the people, along with many other jobs in the IR.
All the good things the casino can bring definitely outweighs whatever hardships it may bring in the future.
My mother works as a stock broker. She too, supports the casino being built. The stock market has got very still over the past few days. The recession probably has bottomed out, with the "worst of it" over. This means that the chance to earn has pretty much gone down the drain. In other words, she joked, people might go to the casino during their lunch break to "try their luck" and get back to the office after some time.
Would this happen all around Singapore too? People may be motivated by the recession. The casino may be another, external source of revenue for the working class.
No doubt the casino may bring hardships to Singaporeans, but the good things it can bring to Singapore ultimately outweighs them all.
Monday, June 29, 2009
William Blake
William Blake was a poet, a painter, and a print maker. The 19th century scholar William Rossetti characterised Blake as a "glorious luminary," and as "a man not forestalled by predecessors, nor to be classed with contemporaries, nor to be replaced by known or readily surmisable successors."I chose William Blake as his poems are enjoyable to read. His poems are very symbolical and are usually religious. He was also thought to be insane by many of his close friends in his later years!
William Blake was a very religious person. His poems have religious themes in them, probably the most obvious one would be "The Lamb" from Blake's "Songs of Innocence"
Little lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?
Gave thee life, and bid thee feed
By the stream and o'er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing, woolly, bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice,
Making all the vales rejoice?
Little lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?
Little lamb, I'll tell thee,
Little lamb, I'll tell thee:
He is called by thy name,
For He calls Himself a Lamb.
He is meek, and He is mild;
He became a little child.
I a child, and thou a lamb,
We are called by His name.
Little lamb, God bless thee!
Little lamb, God bless thee!
On the day of his death, he stopped working and decided to draw a portrait of his wife, who had "been an angel to [him]". Having completed this portrait, Blake laid down his tools and began to sing hymns and verses.
It is not difficult to admire his work. For example, many of us have probably heard of "The Tyger" by now.
Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare sieze the fire?
And what shoulder, & what art.
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand? & what dread feet?
What the hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?
When the stars threw down their spears,
And watered heaven with their tears,
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?
Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
The poem is actually about the tiger. William Blake did not make a spelling mistake, he just wanted to make it sound more...mysterious. This seems to be the opposite of the poem "The Lamb". They are from two different books. "The Lamb" is from the "Songs of Innocence", while "The Tyger" is from the "songs of experience".
Another poem by William Blake I like is "The Land of Dreams"
Awake, awake my little Boy!
Thou wast thy Mother's only joy:
Why dost thou weep in thy gentle sleep?
Awake! thy Father does thee keep.
"O, what land is the Land of Dreams?
What are its mountains, and what are its streams?
O Father, I saw my Mother there,
Among the lillies by waters fair.
Among the lambs clothed in white
She walked with her Thomas in sweet delight.
I wept for joy, like a dove I mourn -
O when shall I return again?
"Dear child, I also by pleasant streams
Have wandered all night in the Land of Dreams;
But though calm and warm the waters wide,
I could not get to the other side.
"Father, O Father, what do we here,
In this land of unbelief and fear?
The Land of Dreams is better far
Above the light of the Morning Star."
And yet another peom by William Blake, "The Clod and the Pebble".
"Love seeketh not itself to please,
Nor for itself hath any care,
But for another gives its ease,
And builds a heaven in hell's despair."
So sung a little Clod of Clay,
Trodden with the cattle's feet,
But a Pebble of the brook
Warbled out these metres meet:
"Love seeketh only Self to please,
To bind another to its delight,
Joys in another's loss of ease,
And builds a hell in heaven's despite."
How are these three peoms? "The Tyger", "The Land of Dreams", and "The Clod and the Pebble".
William Blake was a very religious person. His poems have religious themes in them, probably the most obvious one would be "The Lamb" from Blake's "Songs of Innocence"
Little lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?
Gave thee life, and bid thee feed
By the stream and o'er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing, woolly, bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice,
Making all the vales rejoice?
Little lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?
Little lamb, I'll tell thee,
Little lamb, I'll tell thee:
He is called by thy name,
For He calls Himself a Lamb.
He is meek, and He is mild;
He became a little child.
I a child, and thou a lamb,
We are called by His name.
Little lamb, God bless thee!
Little lamb, God bless thee!
On the day of his death, he stopped working and decided to draw a portrait of his wife, who had "been an angel to [him]". Having completed this portrait, Blake laid down his tools and began to sing hymns and verses.
It is not difficult to admire his work. For example, many of us have probably heard of "The Tyger" by now.
Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare sieze the fire?
And what shoulder, & what art.
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand? & what dread feet?
What the hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?
When the stars threw down their spears,
And watered heaven with their tears,
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?
Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
The poem is actually about the tiger. William Blake did not make a spelling mistake, he just wanted to make it sound more...mysterious. This seems to be the opposite of the poem "The Lamb". They are from two different books. "The Lamb" is from the "Songs of Innocence", while "The Tyger" is from the "songs of experience".
Another poem by William Blake I like is "The Land of Dreams"
Awake, awake my little Boy!
Thou wast thy Mother's only joy:
Why dost thou weep in thy gentle sleep?
Awake! thy Father does thee keep.
"O, what land is the Land of Dreams?
What are its mountains, and what are its streams?
O Father, I saw my Mother there,
Among the lillies by waters fair.
Among the lambs clothed in white
She walked with her Thomas in sweet delight.
I wept for joy, like a dove I mourn -
O when shall I return again?
"Dear child, I also by pleasant streams
Have wandered all night in the Land of Dreams;
But though calm and warm the waters wide,
I could not get to the other side.
"Father, O Father, what do we here,
In this land of unbelief and fear?
The Land of Dreams is better far
Above the light of the Morning Star."
And yet another peom by William Blake, "The Clod and the Pebble".
"Love seeketh not itself to please,
Nor for itself hath any care,
But for another gives its ease,
And builds a heaven in hell's despair."
So sung a little Clod of Clay,
Trodden with the cattle's feet,
But a Pebble of the brook
Warbled out these metres meet:
"Love seeketh only Self to please,
To bind another to its delight,
Joys in another's loss of ease,
And builds a hell in heaven's despite."
How are these three peoms? "The Tyger", "The Land of Dreams", and "The Clod and the Pebble".
Sunday, June 28, 2009
The School Boy
The School Boy by William Blake
I love to rise in a summer morn,
When the birds sing on every tree;
The distant huntsman winds his horn,
And the sky-lark sings with me.
O! what sweet company.
But to go to school in a summer morn,
O! it drives all joy away;
Under a cruel eye outworn.
The little ones spend the day,
In sighing and dismay.
Ah! then at times I drooping sit,
And spend many an anxious hour,
Nor in my book can I take delight,
Nor sit in learnings bower,
Worn thro' with the dreary shower.
How can the bird that is born for joy,
Sit in a cage and sing.
How can a child when fears annoy.
But droop his tender wing.
And forget his youthful spring.
O! father & mother if buds are nip'd,
And blossoms blown away,
And if the tender plants are strip'd
Of their joy in the springing day,
By sorrow and care's dismay.
How shall the summer arise in joy.
Or the summer fruits appear.
Or how shall we gather what griefs destroy
Or bless the mellowing year.
When the blasts of winter appear.
This poem seems to use lots of hyperbole, to emphasise on the point that preceeds it. For example, "But to go to school in a summer morn,/O! it drives all joy away". Here, William Blake is exaggerating on the school boy's reluctance to go to school on a lovely "summer morn". Other examples of hyperbole are:
"When the birds sing on every tree;"
"The little ones spend the day,/In sighing and dismay."
Now to move on to metaphors
"How can the bird that is born for joy,/Sit in a cage and sing."
I'm pretty sure this is a metaphor. It relates the child to a bird, and school to a cage. The school boy does not want to go willingly into a cage, to learn to "sing" when he was "born for joy".
"Ah! then at times I drooping sit,"
This relates the school boy to a wilting plant. The bored boy sits, slouching on his table, is compared to a weak plant that desperately needs nourishment.
"O! father & mother if buds are nip'd,
And blossoms blown away,
And if the tender plants are strip'd
Of their joy in the springing day,
By sorrow and care's dismay.
How shall the summer arise in joy.
Or the summer fruits appear.
Or how shall we gather what griefs destroy
Or bless the mellowing year.
When the blasts of winter appear. "
This whole stanza should be a metaphor.
Here, school is the wind, blowing away the blossoms and nipping at the bud, instead of letting them drop naturally. How can the "Summer fruits" appear this way?
I like this peom because I can relate to it, being a student. It explains every student's hatred of school and gives them a good reason not to. Jokes aside, This poem is also beautiful as it uses many examples of nature, especially the bird, as it relates best to a child and freedom. This poem is written by one of my favourite poets, William Blake, and I enjoy reading his other poems as well. This is one of his "innocence" poems and the school boy reflects that innocence well.
I love to rise in a summer morn,
When the birds sing on every tree;
The distant huntsman winds his horn,
And the sky-lark sings with me.
O! what sweet company.
But to go to school in a summer morn,
O! it drives all joy away;
Under a cruel eye outworn.
The little ones spend the day,
In sighing and dismay.
Ah! then at times I drooping sit,
And spend many an anxious hour,
Nor in my book can I take delight,
Nor sit in learnings bower,
Worn thro' with the dreary shower.
How can the bird that is born for joy,
Sit in a cage and sing.
How can a child when fears annoy.
But droop his tender wing.
And forget his youthful spring.
O! father & mother if buds are nip'd,
And blossoms blown away,
And if the tender plants are strip'd
Of their joy in the springing day,
By sorrow and care's dismay.
How shall the summer arise in joy.
Or the summer fruits appear.
Or how shall we gather what griefs destroy
Or bless the mellowing year.
When the blasts of winter appear.
This poem seems to use lots of hyperbole, to emphasise on the point that preceeds it. For example, "But to go to school in a summer morn,/O! it drives all joy away". Here, William Blake is exaggerating on the school boy's reluctance to go to school on a lovely "summer morn". Other examples of hyperbole are:
"When the birds sing on every tree;"
"The little ones spend the day,/In sighing and dismay."
Now to move on to metaphors
"How can the bird that is born for joy,/Sit in a cage and sing."
I'm pretty sure this is a metaphor. It relates the child to a bird, and school to a cage. The school boy does not want to go willingly into a cage, to learn to "sing" when he was "born for joy".
"Ah! then at times I drooping sit,"
This relates the school boy to a wilting plant. The bored boy sits, slouching on his table, is compared to a weak plant that desperately needs nourishment.
"O! father & mother if buds are nip'd,
And blossoms blown away,
And if the tender plants are strip'd
Of their joy in the springing day,
By sorrow and care's dismay.
How shall the summer arise in joy.
Or the summer fruits appear.
Or how shall we gather what griefs destroy
Or bless the mellowing year.
When the blasts of winter appear. "
This whole stanza should be a metaphor.
Here, school is the wind, blowing away the blossoms and nipping at the bud, instead of letting them drop naturally. How can the "Summer fruits" appear this way?
I like this peom because I can relate to it, being a student. It explains every student's hatred of school and gives them a good reason not to. Jokes aside, This poem is also beautiful as it uses many examples of nature, especially the bird, as it relates best to a child and freedom. This poem is written by one of my favourite poets, William Blake, and I enjoy reading his other poems as well. This is one of his "innocence" poems and the school boy reflects that innocence well.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
What is happiness?
Happiness is a state where you do not have to worry about anything at all. For example, a Primary 6 student after completing his PSLE should be happy. He knows that he has done his best and need not worry about his results what's more, he can enjoy the rest of the school term and the long holiday ahead without worrying about the next year. Besides, he should enjoy the rest of his Primary school life.
Some people say rich people are never happy, whereas poor people always are. I, for one, don't think so. Rich people need not worry about the next day, for their food, water and other necessities. Poor people, however, need to constantly worry throughout their entire life. They might lack the proper necessities like clean water and food, the worse-off ones might even have to worry for their life!
Happiness an only be temporary. Like other emotions, it is not permanant. This is probably why so many religions preach about heaven, where you would get eternal "happpiness"... if you behaved yourself. This means that many people would believe it as they want to look forward to something after their death, something which most people are afraid of.
Some people say rich people are never happy, whereas poor people always are. I, for one, don't think so. Rich people need not worry about the next day, for their food, water and other necessities. Poor people, however, need to constantly worry throughout their entire life. They might lack the proper necessities like clean water and food, the worse-off ones might even have to worry for their life!
Happiness an only be temporary. Like other emotions, it is not permanant. This is probably why so many religions preach about heaven, where you would get eternal "happpiness"... if you behaved yourself. This means that many people would believe it as they want to look forward to something after their death, something which most people are afraid of.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Should you criticise people or the opinions they have?
We should criticise people or the opinions they may have. This is so that they can learn from their mistakes which were pointed out and ssignificantly improve their opinion or themselves as a whole.Criticising proud people and their opinions can make them humble, causing the work they do to be of better quality. Criticising people who are in the wrong or have evil thoughts can make them think twice about doing something illegal.
Of course, criticising people can be harmful too.
Criticising people who are stressed out can make them break-apart. This is one of the main reasons that some people do not criticise people often. This, however, leads people to have a wrong impression about you, that you are weak and are easily overpowered. They would then take advantage of you. This is another reason why you should criticise others.
In working life, not criticising people can lead to your boss or superior thinking that you are either not interested in your job or that you have no opinion about the matter, both which would give him a bad impression about you.
Therefore, we should strive to criticise people whenever possible, as there would be good results in the long run.
Of course, criticising people can be harmful too.
Criticising people who are stressed out can make them break-apart. This is one of the main reasons that some people do not criticise people often. This, however, leads people to have a wrong impression about you, that you are weak and are easily overpowered. They would then take advantage of you. This is another reason why you should criticise others.
In working life, not criticising people can lead to your boss or superior thinking that you are either not interested in your job or that you have no opinion about the matter, both which would give him a bad impression about you.
Therefore, we should strive to criticise people whenever possible, as there would be good results in the long run.
Monday, June 8, 2009
If many people think something is true, is it true?
I'm sure you have heard the phrase "majority wins" being used repeatedly everywhere. This shows itself in voting, from presidential elections to just a group of people choosing what to do in their free time. But what I would be talking about is slightly different. Think of all the subjects that were tabooed throughout the world.
Not long ago, I did a post on the short story "The lottery". The story has a stoning incident, something which eventually got it boycotted throughout the world in its time. Normal people would be horrified at the story's outcome. Mrs. Hutchinson finally got stoned by her friends, with whom she was just talking and laughing with before the stoning. In fact, Mrs. Delacroix "selected a stone so large she had to pick it up with both hands." Even the victim's family joined in the stoning.
Notice that the story was banned throughout the world (the author also recieved lots of hate-mail). Why is this so? The public is horrified that the villagers kill one of their own people with no remorse whatsoever. They think that it is wrong, uncivilised, for people to do such things. Is it true? What about the small minority who thinks that it is not?
In life, we must look at both sides of things, see things from a different perspective. Why are people thinking in that way? There is no right answer. Usually, these conflicting opinions occur when there is a clash of cultures. Usually different cultures would cause different ways of thought. Religion is one of the key factors that cause this.
So, if many people think something is true, it is neither true nor false. It is the way you look at it that makes your opinion differ from others'.
Not long ago, I did a post on the short story "The lottery". The story has a stoning incident, something which eventually got it boycotted throughout the world in its time. Normal people would be horrified at the story's outcome. Mrs. Hutchinson finally got stoned by her friends, with whom she was just talking and laughing with before the stoning. In fact, Mrs. Delacroix "selected a stone so large she had to pick it up with both hands." Even the victim's family joined in the stoning.
Notice that the story was banned throughout the world (the author also recieved lots of hate-mail). Why is this so? The public is horrified that the villagers kill one of their own people with no remorse whatsoever. They think that it is wrong, uncivilised, for people to do such things. Is it true? What about the small minority who thinks that it is not?
In life, we must look at both sides of things, see things from a different perspective. Why are people thinking in that way? There is no right answer. Usually, these conflicting opinions occur when there is a clash of cultures. Usually different cultures would cause different ways of thought. Religion is one of the key factors that cause this.
So, if many people think something is true, it is neither true nor false. It is the way you look at it that makes your opinion differ from others'.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
I am lying. True or False?
I am sure you would have seen or at least heard of the above riddle. In actual fact, it is a paradox. For example, I cannot be lying as I would then be telling the truth. I also cannot be telling the truth as I would be lying. This actually makes the statement both true and false, (at least in my opinion) rather than just either one.
Take it in another way. Lets say, "This sentence is false". What this sentence means is that it is false. Its that simple. But the sentence says it is false, meaning that the sentence is also true.
Apparently this paradox is called the "liar paradox". It is explained by some using a "truth value", or the amount of truth that it has. (wikipedia)
This paradox can just be taken in another way. I can say "It is the truth. I am lying" In place of just "I am lying" this would be taken as that he was lying about himself telling the truth. Therefore, he is lying and there would not be any underlying paradox.
Besides, in the real world, when people say something, they usually mean it and probably, the person who started this paradox, actually did so unknowingly.
Take it in another way. Lets say, "This sentence is false". What this sentence means is that it is false. Its that simple. But the sentence says it is false, meaning that the sentence is also true.
Apparently this paradox is called the "liar paradox". It is explained by some using a "truth value", or the amount of truth that it has. (wikipedia)
This paradox can just be taken in another way. I can say "It is the truth. I am lying" In place of just "I am lying" this would be taken as that he was lying about himself telling the truth. Therefore, he is lying and there would not be any underlying paradox.
Besides, in the real world, when people say something, they usually mean it and probably, the person who started this paradox, actually did so unknowingly.
Monday, May 25, 2009
My first semester as a secondary school student
My first semester as a secondary school student has been interesting...and tiring. Ever since CCA started, I have only been able to go home early on Tuesdays. CCA drags on till 7.15 and I would only get home at around 8.30. This means that I have almost absolutely no time to do my homework after doing necessary stuff like bathing and eating. Also on Thursdays, I have to go to Bishan for Third language and I would only reach home by 7.30. As such I would usually have to stay up until very late to complete my homework for the day.
But enough about the negative aspects of Secondary school life. There are positive sides too. I have made new friends since the first day of school and I can eat at MacDonald's every Thursday because of Third language. Others include more pocket money and more freedom when I am outside. Also, I get better things like new bags, phones and books. At Hwa Chong, we can get impromptu half-days, courtesy of the Principle. This usually occurs when there are good results for major exams or competitions just to "reward the students", to give them a day to rest.
Now for the interesting parts of Secondary school life. The life of a secondary school student is no doubt interesting, especially to a new student. For one, my school campus is big, with a size of 72 hectares. This means it takes about ten to fifteen minutes for someone to walk from one end to another which we would have to do sometimes. That may be why we get long 40 minute periods. Sometimes we can venture over to the college section of the school, usually during the breaks. (Many people do complain that the high school section's food is better than the college.)
But enough about the negative aspects of Secondary school life. There are positive sides too. I have made new friends since the first day of school and I can eat at MacDonald's every Thursday because of Third language. Others include more pocket money and more freedom when I am outside. Also, I get better things like new bags, phones and books. At Hwa Chong, we can get impromptu half-days, courtesy of the Principle. This usually occurs when there are good results for major exams or competitions just to "reward the students", to give them a day to rest.
Now for the interesting parts of Secondary school life. The life of a secondary school student is no doubt interesting, especially to a new student. For one, my school campus is big, with a size of 72 hectares. This means it takes about ten to fifteen minutes for someone to walk from one end to another which we would have to do sometimes. That may be why we get long 40 minute periods. Sometimes we can venture over to the college section of the school, usually during the breaks. (Many people do complain that the high school section's food is better than the college.)
Saturday, May 16, 2009
BP
/*Write a 450-word narrative depicting the human-elephant confrontation in India.*/
I sighed as I walked through the devastated village, the victim of a stampede. Many mud houses lay destroyed on the ground. Worse still, the sight of mangled human bodies on the floor made my blood curdle. The scene of destruction was enough to shake anyone to the core. However, I had a job to do. I gathered up my wits and walked on as quickly as I could.
I often saw myself as a UN peacemaker working frantically to make peace in the Middle East. The only problem was that I was anything but that. An Environmentalist working in India, I had seen many examples of human-elephant confrontation over the years. Today, I am going to try to stop another example from appearing in my already long list. I walked to a group of angry villagers picking up knives and spears. They were already amassing an army to, presumably, attack an elephant for revenge.
I talked to the leader of the group, trying to stop him from going on with his plan of attack. It was all in vain. He refused to stop his attack, saying that his wife and one of his sons had been killed in the stampede. But after an hour of negotiating, he agreed to kill only one elephant. After that, he refused to talk with me any longer. Powerless to stop the group, I followed them closely.
We trudged through the forest for an hour or so, the natives ignoring me completely. It was hot and humid and my canteen was emptying fast. The trail was thin and only allowed for a single file.
It wasn’t long before we reached the waterhole at the end of the trail, a waterhole that the Asian elephants were known to frequent often. It was a mere fifteen minutes before the first elephant came lumbering in. It was a young elephant, merely ten years old. The natives ducked back into the dense forest and waited patiently for it to come.
The elephant, a female, came slowly to the waterhole and drank. It had a huge wound on its leg. This elephant was probably injured by another group of natives.
The leader nodded, his eyes glinting. He motioned to the group, coming up to a crouch himself. Raising his knife, he readied himself for the charge.
This elephant would not be able to run.
The knife swiped forward. With a deafening roar, the villagers swooped forward as one. The elephant was down in seconds. I watched horrified from my position on the trail as the leader sawed off the young elephant’s tail. The elephant was helpless to defend itself and screamed in pain. Another riled villager cruelly cut the end of her trunk off, causing blood to spurt out in all directions. This was not enough. The villagers all stabbed again and again, venting their anger on the already limp body lying on the ground. The stench of blood filled the air. By the time the last villager was done, the elephant had already been dead for an hour.
Slowly and painfully, I sank to my knees. This was the worst show of violence I had seen in my life. How could this happen? Was the world really that cruel? I would remember this day for the rest of my life.
I sighed as I walked through the devastated village, the victim of a stampede. Many mud houses lay destroyed on the ground. Worse still, the sight of mangled human bodies on the floor made my blood curdle. The scene of destruction was enough to shake anyone to the core. However, I had a job to do. I gathered up my wits and walked on as quickly as I could.
I often saw myself as a UN peacemaker working frantically to make peace in the Middle East. The only problem was that I was anything but that. An Environmentalist working in India, I had seen many examples of human-elephant confrontation over the years. Today, I am going to try to stop another example from appearing in my already long list. I walked to a group of angry villagers picking up knives and spears. They were already amassing an army to, presumably, attack an elephant for revenge.
I talked to the leader of the group, trying to stop him from going on with his plan of attack. It was all in vain. He refused to stop his attack, saying that his wife and one of his sons had been killed in the stampede. But after an hour of negotiating, he agreed to kill only one elephant. After that, he refused to talk with me any longer. Powerless to stop the group, I followed them closely.
We trudged through the forest for an hour or so, the natives ignoring me completely. It was hot and humid and my canteen was emptying fast. The trail was thin and only allowed for a single file.
It wasn’t long before we reached the waterhole at the end of the trail, a waterhole that the Asian elephants were known to frequent often. It was a mere fifteen minutes before the first elephant came lumbering in. It was a young elephant, merely ten years old. The natives ducked back into the dense forest and waited patiently for it to come.
The elephant, a female, came slowly to the waterhole and drank. It had a huge wound on its leg. This elephant was probably injured by another group of natives.
The leader nodded, his eyes glinting. He motioned to the group, coming up to a crouch himself. Raising his knife, he readied himself for the charge.
This elephant would not be able to run.
The knife swiped forward. With a deafening roar, the villagers swooped forward as one. The elephant was down in seconds. I watched horrified from my position on the trail as the leader sawed off the young elephant’s tail. The elephant was helpless to defend itself and screamed in pain. Another riled villager cruelly cut the end of her trunk off, causing blood to spurt out in all directions. This was not enough. The villagers all stabbed again and again, venting their anger on the already limp body lying on the ground. The stench of blood filled the air. By the time the last villager was done, the elephant had already been dead for an hour.
Slowly and painfully, I sank to my knees. This was the worst show of violence I had seen in my life. How could this happen? Was the world really that cruel? I would remember this day for the rest of my life.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Sorry for the lack of posts
Again, I am sincerely sorry for the lack of posts these past few months. I have had no time to blog these few months, as Judo's training is starting to get vigorous. I also had a flurry of tests recently and my mother had to force me to study late into the night for them. Let me round uo the last few months.
Firstly, and most importantly, Swine flu, or H1N1 Virus, has spread to some countries in SEA. Fortunately[or unfortunately], it has yet to spread to Singapore. However, the MOH has decided to overreact and raise it to an orange alert, at least for the past few days, and create a lot of trouble for Singaporeans. These include 7 day quarantine for Singaporeans returning from Mexico, daily temperature taking for schools and offices nationwide, temperature taking at major events and buildings, etc.
Secondly, Mas Selamat has been captured. In fact, he had been captured more than a month ago. The Malaysian government apparently wants Singapore's to keep quiet about it. Mas Selamat was revealed to have swam to Malaysia from Woodlands/Sembawang area, a measly 1.1km stretch of sea. However, Singaporeans are reminded not to let their guard down and continue to be vigilant against terrorism.
Lastly, a more personal case. My tests did not exactly go well. My Chinese class test got a C5, and only because I fought hard for 4 additional marks. However, for other subjects, like Math for example, were much better [36/40. A straight A1]. Other than Math, geography today was another commendable result. 23 or 24/30[additional mark pending]. English composition was 22/30. A big shame, I need just a single mark more to get an A1. However, it is the best composition I have ever written up to date.
To end off, I would like to apologise yet again, for the lack of postings, and inform you that I would be rushing BPs for the whole of this week.
Firstly, and most importantly, Swine flu, or H1N1 Virus, has spread to some countries in SEA. Fortunately[or unfortunately], it has yet to spread to Singapore. However, the MOH has decided to overreact and raise it to an orange alert, at least for the past few days, and create a lot of trouble for Singaporeans. These include 7 day quarantine for Singaporeans returning from Mexico, daily temperature taking for schools and offices nationwide, temperature taking at major events and buildings, etc.
Secondly, Mas Selamat has been captured. In fact, he had been captured more than a month ago. The Malaysian government apparently wants Singapore's to keep quiet about it. Mas Selamat was revealed to have swam to Malaysia from Woodlands/Sembawang area, a measly 1.1km stretch of sea. However, Singaporeans are reminded not to let their guard down and continue to be vigilant against terrorism.
Lastly, a more personal case. My tests did not exactly go well. My Chinese class test got a C5, and only because I fought hard for 4 additional marks. However, for other subjects, like Math for example, were much better [36/40. A straight A1]. Other than Math, geography today was another commendable result. 23 or 24/30[additional mark pending]. English composition was 22/30. A big shame, I need just a single mark more to get an A1. However, it is the best composition I have ever written up to date.
To end off, I would like to apologise yet again, for the lack of postings, and inform you that I would be rushing BPs for the whole of this week.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
I have a dream: by Martin Luther King Jr.
http://americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm
This speech would be very familiar to everyone around the world. Indeed, it is the most famous speech made so far. Looking or listening to his speech, one cannot help but feel touched or even angered at the treatment of the African-Americans in the past. In fact it is similar to George Orwell's "Animal Farm".
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
Martin Luther King makes this speech because his people, the Negros, have been mistreated for many years in America despite the American dream of "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." King only wants the whites of America to accept the Blacks as brothers and sisters and together make America a better country. Today, this can be seen in America. Even Barack Obama, the current President of the United States is an African-American.
His message is simple. He wants America to be a country where "justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream", where the Negros "will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character". He wants freedom for the Negros everywhere around America, to share everything with the whites, with no "For whites only" signs on the streets. He wants the Negros to be able to vote for his president, to be able to sit with whites as equals. In other words, he wants to stop the slavery of the Negros.
His speech gives hope to the African-American audience and perhaps even some of the white people. he ends of with his dream that freedom will ring from every mountain in America, that they will be able to "speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:
Free at last! Free at last!
Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"
This speech would be very familiar to everyone around the world. Indeed, it is the most famous speech made so far. Looking or listening to his speech, one cannot help but feel touched or even angered at the treatment of the African-Americans in the past. In fact it is similar to George Orwell's "Animal Farm".
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."
Martin Luther King makes this speech because his people, the Negros, have been mistreated for many years in America despite the American dream of "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." King only wants the whites of America to accept the Blacks as brothers and sisters and together make America a better country. Today, this can be seen in America. Even Barack Obama, the current President of the United States is an African-American.
His message is simple. He wants America to be a country where "justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream", where the Negros "will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character". He wants freedom for the Negros everywhere around America, to share everything with the whites, with no "For whites only" signs on the streets. He wants the Negros to be able to vote for his president, to be able to sit with whites as equals. In other words, he wants to stop the slavery of the Negros.
His speech gives hope to the African-American audience and perhaps even some of the white people. he ends of with his dream that freedom will ring from every mountain in America, that they will be able to "speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:
Free at last! Free at last!
Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"
Saturday, March 28, 2009
The Lottery: relevance to today
Recently, my class has gone through the story "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson. I will now discuss the story's relevance to today.
Link to "The Lottery"-http://www.classicshorts.com/stories/lotry.html
1) How is the story relevant to today?
Today, many people are selfish, self-centered and cruel to others, They do not care whether other people get hurt(physically or psychologically) or not, as long as they themselves don't get hurt. The villagers in the village stone Tessie Hutchinson for no apparent reason, only because she got a ticket. They killed her because they are not the ones to get killed. "Nancy and Bill. Jr. opened theirs at the same time, and both beamed and laughed, turning around to the crowd and holding their slips of paper above their heads." Even Tessie Hutchinson herself only showed anger and horror when she was chosen to be stoned. ""It isn't fair, it isn't right," Mrs. Hutchinson screamed, and then they were upon her."
Another reason might be that the villagers follow a particular leader, i.e Old Man Warner. They only conduct the lottery because it is an ancient tradition, even if they did not know what that tradition was! Mr. Adams states that villages have quit the lottery out of fear of being chosen. He however, was rebuffed by Old Man Warner, saying that there is no good in doing that. Mr. Adams then stopped talking about it, in other words, accepting it.
2) Do we have our own form of 'lottery' as in the story?
Yes we do. Society always finds a scapegoat to blame for its own mistakes. For example, in a very minor case, Student A steals Student B's wallet but blames innocent Student C for doing it. Student A knows its wrong but does it anyway for fear of getting reprimanded. Here the lottery comes in. Student A chooses someone to blame for his own mistakes and stays safe while Student C probably gets punished. In fact, even Mrs. Hutchinson displays this trait. ""You didn't give him time enough to take any paper he wanted. I saw you. It wasn't fair!"" From blaming George Bush for the Iraq War and Hitler for WWII to choosing our small scapegoats for our petty thefts or just plain lying to get around our mistakes, "The Lottery" is present in our everyday lives.
Link to "The Lottery"-http://www.classicshorts.com/stories/lotry.html
1) How is the story relevant to today?
Today, many people are selfish, self-centered and cruel to others, They do not care whether other people get hurt(physically or psychologically) or not, as long as they themselves don't get hurt. The villagers in the village stone Tessie Hutchinson for no apparent reason, only because she got a ticket. They killed her because they are not the ones to get killed. "Nancy and Bill. Jr. opened theirs at the same time, and both beamed and laughed, turning around to the crowd and holding their slips of paper above their heads." Even Tessie Hutchinson herself only showed anger and horror when she was chosen to be stoned. ""It isn't fair, it isn't right," Mrs. Hutchinson screamed, and then they were upon her."
Another reason might be that the villagers follow a particular leader, i.e Old Man Warner. They only conduct the lottery because it is an ancient tradition, even if they did not know what that tradition was! Mr. Adams states that villages have quit the lottery out of fear of being chosen. He however, was rebuffed by Old Man Warner, saying that there is no good in doing that. Mr. Adams then stopped talking about it, in other words, accepting it.
2) Do we have our own form of 'lottery' as in the story?
Yes we do. Society always finds a scapegoat to blame for its own mistakes. For example, in a very minor case, Student A steals Student B's wallet but blames innocent Student C for doing it. Student A knows its wrong but does it anyway for fear of getting reprimanded. Here the lottery comes in. Student A chooses someone to blame for his own mistakes and stays safe while Student C probably gets punished. In fact, even Mrs. Hutchinson displays this trait. ""You didn't give him time enough to take any paper he wanted. I saw you. It wasn't fair!"" From blaming George Bush for the Iraq War and Hitler for WWII to choosing our small scapegoats for our petty thefts or just plain lying to get around our mistakes, "The Lottery" is present in our everyday lives.
Monday, March 16, 2009
I got my results back for term 1. Although I'm not about to disclose them on my blog, I can tell you that i got an MSG of 2.5. Not so good. I did get a conduct grade of "A" though.
Truthfully, my LA, Chinese and Math pulled me down. Strangely, though not very unusual, my chinese grades are better than my LA ones. This usually happens every year. I only seem to pull up at the EOY examinations. For Math though, I've never been very good. I still can't understand how I scraped an A* for it in PSLE.
Moving on, I passed my Judo grading. It was an easy grading, with low standards though none of the HCI people did really well, at least according to the coach. Now I'm a yellow tip! Though it's nothing to celebrate about. My batch mates, myself included, are harbouring thoughts of a CCA transfer. It is tough. My foot has not had time to recover properly yet.
Experience in Sec 1 camp
It was almost a horrible experience. I sleep longer hours on one normal night than both nights at the Sarimbun Scouts camp added together. Alright, I stayed up willingly to listen to my classmate's "interesting" stories, but it was still very uncomfortable. I would like to see you squeezed up against four people on a bunk the size of a van's interior and sleeping on a threadbare sleeping bag, knowing that some of the lucky others (the other iSparks) have a bed with only two people on it.
The activities were of the normal kind, not a single high element at all. Though I still count myself lucky that my group did not have time to do the milo pond activity. I mean, sliding into it is not the best thing in the world.
Moving to the trainers, my group possibly got one of the best trainers, Jason. He was the youngest there and was rather kind and understanding. He even let some of us have extra food when he was dishing it out. Once, we got an area cleaning job at a place that was perfectly clean and he ignored it and pretended that we cleaned it, instead of getting us a new job.
Truthfully, my LA, Chinese and Math pulled me down. Strangely, though not very unusual, my chinese grades are better than my LA ones. This usually happens every year. I only seem to pull up at the EOY examinations. For Math though, I've never been very good. I still can't understand how I scraped an A* for it in PSLE.
Moving on, I passed my Judo grading. It was an easy grading, with low standards though none of the HCI people did really well, at least according to the coach. Now I'm a yellow tip! Though it's nothing to celebrate about. My batch mates, myself included, are harbouring thoughts of a CCA transfer. It is tough. My foot has not had time to recover properly yet.
Experience in Sec 1 camp
It was almost a horrible experience. I sleep longer hours on one normal night than both nights at the Sarimbun Scouts camp added together. Alright, I stayed up willingly to listen to my classmate's "interesting" stories, but it was still very uncomfortable. I would like to see you squeezed up against four people on a bunk the size of a van's interior and sleeping on a threadbare sleeping bag, knowing that some of the lucky others (the other iSparks) have a bed with only two people on it.
The activities were of the normal kind, not a single high element at all. Though I still count myself lucky that my group did not have time to do the milo pond activity. I mean, sliding into it is not the best thing in the world.
Moving to the trainers, my group possibly got one of the best trainers, Jason. He was the youngest there and was rather kind and understanding. He even let some of us have extra food when he was dishing it out. Once, we got an area cleaning job at a place that was perfectly clean and he ignored it and pretended that we cleaned it, instead of getting us a new job.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Fill up on recent events
This week was...exciting. I had a competition on Sunday. Judo. I lost under 5 seconds to an RI yellow belt Sec 2. I sprained my ankle on Wednesday so no complaints there. Furthermore, I am a white belt.
Wednesday was the first time I managed to sprain my ankle. It was a painful experience. Couldn't even walk properly back home. I hope it heals soon anyway.
Wednesday was the first time I managed to sprain my ankle. It was a painful experience. Couldn't even walk properly back home. I hope it heals soon anyway.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
BP #5
/*Singapore and Moscow are the two countries that got into the final round of the bid for the Youth Olympics 2010. You are the leader of the Singapore team, about to make a presentation to the committee considering your bid. Prepare a presentation.*/
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am here today to bid for Singapore to host the Youth Olympics 2010. As you all know, Singapore is a very small country and you might think it unfit to host somthing as big as the Youth Olympics. However, Singapore has many world-class facilities and equipment. It is more than fit to host the Youth Olympics 2010. Singapore is also one of the cleanest cities in the world with its well known nickname "The green city". Singapore also has a high connectivity to the world, and is one of the world's most youthful independant country. Singapore has a reputation for excellence globally and has a unique multiracial harmony. All in all, it would be the perfect city to host the youth olympics.
Thank you for your kind attention
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am here today to bid for Singapore to host the Youth Olympics 2010. As you all know, Singapore is a very small country and you might think it unfit to host somthing as big as the Youth Olympics. However, Singapore has many world-class facilities and equipment. It is more than fit to host the Youth Olympics 2010. Singapore is also one of the cleanest cities in the world with its well known nickname "The green city". Singapore also has a high connectivity to the world, and is one of the world's most youthful independant country. Singapore has a reputation for excellence globally and has a unique multiracial harmony. All in all, it would be the perfect city to host the youth olympics.
Thank you for your kind attention
Friday, February 20, 2009
BP #4
/*You are an Indian Politician who is very much against the sale of organs illegally, especially towards the unscupulous doctors who removed people's organs without their consent. You strongly believe that the government plays a crucial role in ensuring that such criminals be punished, which serves as a sever deterrence. Draft a speech you are going to make at the legislature meeting.*/
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I want to raise with you the issue of illegal organ sales now rampant in our country. The citizens living in the slums have begun to sell their organs illegally, in a bid to raise money to live. Almost everyone in certain villages have sold one of their kidneys. It is fine when the patient asked for it in the first place, no matter illegal or not, but some unscrupulous doctors have taken to taking patients organs out without their consent. The worst of them, Dr. Kumar, we have recently apprehended, but there are still others out there. We must ensure that these criminals would be severely punished in order to deter other doctors from following in their footsteps. I propose that we sentence these noxious doctors to life imprisonment with no chance of parole.
I know everyone of you thinks that this is a horrible sentence to give to anyone, even to these foul scum(if I may use the word), but we must deter people from participating in such deeds like this. Please consider my words.
Thank You for listening to my speech
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I want to raise with you the issue of illegal organ sales now rampant in our country. The citizens living in the slums have begun to sell their organs illegally, in a bid to raise money to live. Almost everyone in certain villages have sold one of their kidneys. It is fine when the patient asked for it in the first place, no matter illegal or not, but some unscrupulous doctors have taken to taking patients organs out without their consent. The worst of them, Dr. Kumar, we have recently apprehended, but there are still others out there. We must ensure that these criminals would be severely punished in order to deter other doctors from following in their footsteps. I propose that we sentence these noxious doctors to life imprisonment with no chance of parole.
I know everyone of you thinks that this is a horrible sentence to give to anyone, even to these foul scum(if I may use the word), but we must deter people from participating in such deeds like this. Please consider my words.
Thank You for listening to my speech
Thursday, February 19, 2009
BP #3
/*Age and experience are importent to the workforce in any country. Discuss with relevant examples how this statement is true.*/
Age and experience in life are the most important things at work. Most important is experience. It would help you to do your work faster and better. This can be shown in ordinary life. A person inexperienced in ironing clothes will almost certainly create a "disaster" on his first attempt, whereas, an experienced mother or grandmother would do it so perfectly the clothes would look as good as new. It is therefore no wonder that all around the world, employers look for employees with experience in a certain area that would be crucial to the success of the company itself. This is also the reason why so much emphasis is placed on education. An all-rounded person is better than a person who is just good in only one aspect. It is therefore crucial that you set your foundations right before you build your building.
The taller you want your structure to be, the deeper the foundations must be. this is also reflected in the world of plants. Plants with deep roots, like trees, have the potential to grow tall. However, cacti, with their wide-spread but shallow roots, hardly grow taller than a few metres.
Age and experience in life are the most important things at work. Most important is experience. It would help you to do your work faster and better. This can be shown in ordinary life. A person inexperienced in ironing clothes will almost certainly create a "disaster" on his first attempt, whereas, an experienced mother or grandmother would do it so perfectly the clothes would look as good as new. It is therefore no wonder that all around the world, employers look for employees with experience in a certain area that would be crucial to the success of the company itself. This is also the reason why so much emphasis is placed on education. An all-rounded person is better than a person who is just good in only one aspect. It is therefore crucial that you set your foundations right before you build your building.
The taller you want your structure to be, the deeper the foundations must be. this is also reflected in the world of plants. Plants with deep roots, like trees, have the potential to grow tall. However, cacti, with their wide-spread but shallow roots, hardly grow taller than a few metres.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Bryce's "ACE project"
I said that I would'nt be posting on stuff other than BPs but this is too funny to miss out.
This is a poem from my classmate to his "friend" Andrea:
Andrea, when we first met,
It was love at first sight.
I started thinking of you,
Everyday and night.
You gave me a strange emotion
That I could never fight.
Then when you left for 3.4
I thought life had lost it's light.
Then I soon found out,
You came to my class for CL
I would eagerly await,
Then try to abolish the bell.
Soon word got out,
It was no longer in my heart's shell.
And once we went to separate schools,
Life became hell.
I tried to forget you,
I really, really tried.
But the more I thought of you,
The more I cried.
But after schoolwork piled up,
I thought my feelings had died.
But 3 years later,
I realised my heart had lied.
3 years later,
I stepped into good old HCI.
Then Jian Shun started all,
by saying hi.
When he said his school,
When I said I was from Cat High
I realised that throughout,
We had never said bye.
He told me more about you,
About how you had grown.
If I had known where you were,
There I would have flown.
I tried to get your details,
your email and your phone.
To get the girl sitting,
on my heart's throne.
We continued on to become,
Facebook friends.
Then we went to,
chat alot on MSN.
I soon became,
one of it's many fans.
Because it turned all my 'should have's in to 'can's
You came back into my life,
Just when I was feeling blue.
And now I need to know,
Exactly how do you feel?
Do you feel the exact,
Same way that I do?
If you don't know,
the one I love is you and only you.
Thanks to you,
now my life is perfectly fine.
I hope you're willing to leave,
Our past behind.
On this day,
so close to the day of Valentine,
I want to ask,
Andrea will you be mine?
Did you like it?
P.S. If Miss Soh has seen this, Bryce wants to know if he could get ACE points for this.
This is a poem from my classmate to his "friend" Andrea:
Andrea, when we first met,
It was love at first sight.
I started thinking of you,
Everyday and night.
You gave me a strange emotion
That I could never fight.
Then when you left for 3.4
I thought life had lost it's light.
Then I soon found out,
You came to my class for CL
I would eagerly await,
Then try to abolish the bell.
Soon word got out,
It was no longer in my heart's shell.
And once we went to separate schools,
Life became hell.
I tried to forget you,
I really, really tried.
But the more I thought of you,
The more I cried.
But after schoolwork piled up,
I thought my feelings had died.
But 3 years later,
I realised my heart had lied.
3 years later,
I stepped into good old HCI.
Then Jian Shun started all,
by saying hi.
When he said his school,
When I said I was from Cat High
I realised that throughout,
We had never said bye.
He told me more about you,
About how you had grown.
If I had known where you were,
There I would have flown.
I tried to get your details,
your email and your phone.
To get the girl sitting,
on my heart's throne.
We continued on to become,
Facebook friends.
Then we went to,
chat alot on MSN.
I soon became,
one of it's many fans.
Because it turned all my 'should have's in to 'can's
You came back into my life,
Just when I was feeling blue.
And now I need to know,
Exactly how do you feel?
Do you feel the exact,
Same way that I do?
If you don't know,
the one I love is you and only you.
Thanks to you,
now my life is perfectly fine.
I hope you're willing to leave,
Our past behind.
On this day,
so close to the day of Valentine,
I want to ask,
Andrea will you be mine?
Did you like it?
P.S. If Miss Soh has seen this, Bryce wants to know if he could get ACE points for this.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Blog Prompts
Over the next few days i will try to catch up on my missing BPs and would not be talking about any interesting events for the moment.
Sorry for any inconvenience caused.
:P
Sorry for any inconvenience caused.
:P
Friday, February 13, 2009
Blog Prompt (BP) #2
BP #2
/*Imagine your group has just invented an electronic device that helps other students learn better in the classroom. write a short press release that describes this new device and explain how it will promote learning*/
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I'm sure you have heard of the product that we have created. It is a product that uses many ways to help students all around the world learn better in the classroom. i shall now describe the different functions and uses it can offer.
This ingenious device can record down the student's lesson and place it in its extensive database where the lesson can be viewed at the students leisure. It can also take down notes or important points in the lesson and file the final collection into notebooks which the student can use to revise for examinations or tests.
This product also has a special way to make students concentrate in class. It would vibrate continuously when the student is facing the wrong way or talking in class. this would continue to happen until the student is paying attention again.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I sincerely hope that this product of ours would help students all over the world with their studies. Who knows, it may even benefit your children in the near future...
Thank You for your kind attention.
/*Imagine your group has just invented an electronic device that helps other students learn better in the classroom. write a short press release that describes this new device and explain how it will promote learning*/
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I'm sure you have heard of the product that we have created. It is a product that uses many ways to help students all around the world learn better in the classroom. i shall now describe the different functions and uses it can offer.
This ingenious device can record down the student's lesson and place it in its extensive database where the lesson can be viewed at the students leisure. It can also take down notes or important points in the lesson and file the final collection into notebooks which the student can use to revise for examinations or tests.
This product also has a special way to make students concentrate in class. It would vibrate continuously when the student is facing the wrong way or talking in class. this would continue to happen until the student is paying attention again.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I sincerely hope that this product of ours would help students all over the world with their studies. Who knows, it may even benefit your children in the near future...
Thank You for your kind attention.
CCA
In case I forgot to tell you, I am in Judo for CCA. I out weigh everyone else in the CCA, which might also indirectly mean that i am the heaviest in the whole level.
I have already went for my first few lessons...and I can't say it isn't tough. Apparently members of Judo have to do like...150 push-ups a day, amounting to 600 push-ups a week for school team members.
P.S. Ms Soh I think I have just enabled comments for my blog.
I have already went for my first few lessons...and I can't say it isn't tough. Apparently members of Judo have to do like...150 push-ups a day, amounting to 600 push-ups a week for school team members.
P.S. Ms Soh I think I have just enabled comments for my blog.
Sorry about the lack of posts
Sorry about the lack of posts for quite some time. I had some tests which i had to study for. They aren't over yet and I can't say that I had done well for the other tests which I had taken. Anyway, I have to fill in all my blog prompts which I have yet to do for the sake of ACE points which is the point about this blog in the first place.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Blog Prompt (BP) #1
Blog prompt No. 1
/*I am a member of the SPCA and want to raise awareness of the cruelty of whaling in Japan, and have prepared a speech to be made at a public forum.*/
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to make a speech to you today about the cruelty of whaling in Japan.
As many of you might know, the Japanese enjoy eating seafood of all kind. Unfortunately, whales also fall under this category of "seafood", and are now being hunted constantly by the Japanese, so much so that many species of whales are now endangered.
I would like to emphasise the cruelty of whaling using hand-held harpoons, introduced in 1606 or using whale nets and pulling them off the water like fish. It is not like the story "Moby Dick" where it is so difficult to catch a whale. The above makes it so much safer and easier for humans to "whale", that whales are getting scarcer and scarcer, making even Australia worry that its whale tourism might get affected.
Ladies and gentlemen, think of what the world would be like without whales. Whales can be beautiful animals and we must work together to protect them and thus save them from extinction.
Thank you.
/*I am a member of the SPCA and want to raise awareness of the cruelty of whaling in Japan, and have prepared a speech to be made at a public forum.*/
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to make a speech to you today about the cruelty of whaling in Japan.
As many of you might know, the Japanese enjoy eating seafood of all kind. Unfortunately, whales also fall under this category of "seafood", and are now being hunted constantly by the Japanese, so much so that many species of whales are now endangered.
I would like to emphasise the cruelty of whaling using hand-held harpoons, introduced in 1606 or using whale nets and pulling them off the water like fish. It is not like the story "Moby Dick" where it is so difficult to catch a whale. The above makes it so much safer and easier for humans to "whale", that whales are getting scarcer and scarcer, making even Australia worry that its whale tourism might get affected.
Ladies and gentlemen, think of what the world would be like without whales. Whales can be beautiful animals and we must work together to protect them and thus save them from extinction.
Thank you.
Sorry about the lack of posts
Sorry about my lack of postings for the past few days. I had hardly any time to blog. School has just started and the CCA trials are on. Anyway, today, my Language Arts teacher asked us to find out about "Socratic Questions".
"Socratic Questioning is disciplined questioning that can be used to pursue thought in many directions and for many purposes, including: to explore complex ideas, to get to the truth of things, to open up issues and problems, to uncover assumptions, to analyze concepts, to distinguish what we know from what we don’t know, and to follow out logical implications of thought."(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socratic_questioning)
As you can see from the quote above (I hope I'm not plagiarising), Socratic questioning is pretty useful and is therefore used widely around the world in education. Socratic Questions are also named after Socrates (obviously), and he used to ask these questions to his pupils.
"Socratic Questioning is disciplined questioning that can be used to pursue thought in many directions and for many purposes, including: to explore complex ideas, to get to the truth of things, to open up issues and problems, to uncover assumptions, to analyze concepts, to distinguish what we know from what we don’t know, and to follow out logical implications of thought."(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socratic_questioning)
As you can see from the quote above (I hope I'm not plagiarising), Socratic questioning is pretty useful and is therefore used widely around the world in education. Socratic Questions are also named after Socrates (obviously), and he used to ask these questions to his pupils.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Hello out there
Hello, whoever is reading this. This is my first blog post in like... 2 years, so forgive me if you find anything wrong.
Today, we started off with P.E. lessons. The cruel teachers made us run a gruelling 1.6km run first thing in the morning. All for the sake of pulling out good runners for the Cross-Country/Track and Field CCA, most of whom would not join them anyway. Afterwards, when we headed back to class, we had a period of Chinese lesson in which everyone would have to do a self-introduction. I wouldn't have complained if it was to be in English, but it was to be said in Chinese, my worst subject. Unfortunately (or fortunately), I was chosen to be the first person up for that day. As many people might know, this would either seriously increase or decrease the amount of points you can get. Also unfortunately, I could hardly stand up thanks to the 1.6km run, let alone remember what I had practised so hard on at home.
Bad day
Today, we started off with P.E. lessons. The cruel teachers made us run a gruelling 1.6km run first thing in the morning. All for the sake of pulling out good runners for the Cross-Country/Track and Field CCA, most of whom would not join them anyway. Afterwards, when we headed back to class, we had a period of Chinese lesson in which everyone would have to do a self-introduction. I wouldn't have complained if it was to be in English, but it was to be said in Chinese, my worst subject. Unfortunately (or fortunately), I was chosen to be the first person up for that day. As many people might know, this would either seriously increase or decrease the amount of points you can get. Also unfortunately, I could hardly stand up thanks to the 1.6km run, let alone remember what I had practised so hard on at home.
Bad day
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