Thursday, August 18, 2011
Current Affairs
Captain Murdoch and his Band of Jolly Reporters
Justice and his trusty sidekick Mercy
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Blog Prompt 4
To what extent do you agree with the issues that the student has raised here? Point out some issues of agreement and possible contention.
Examine her tone and attitude in this letter. Do you think it’s a well-crafted letter with the appropriate tone?
If you should write a letter to Minister of Education, what are some issues you would raise? Remember- your intention is to make the system better for society’s betterment via CONSTRUCTIVE ideas.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Money in Marriages: Must or Maybe?
In your opinion, is money important in a relationship? Consider the 'transactional' element observed in the relationships between the couples. Do you think there is an upward trend of relationships and marriages valuing money over other qualities? Provide examples for your responses.
However, I do not feel that there is an upward trend of relationships and marriages valuing money over other qualities. As countries become more and more developed, money becomes less of an issue. In the past and even now in less developed countries, poor parents would often forcibly marry their daughters to richer (or older) men in hopes that they have a better life. Now, in the more developed and "richer" countries (i.e. Singapore) bachelors and bachelorettes often already have solid financial backgrounds. As such, they are able to choose a partner based on other qualities and not out of sheer desperation. Perhaps Singapore's declining birth rate may also be partially due to this as singles are no longer rushing to get engaged and instead slowly picking and choosing their life mates.
W.A.R: Wasting All Resources
In your opinion, how has war evolved from the past to present? Please use examples to justify your opinions.
Russio-Persian War 1722 ~ 1723
Taiping Rebellion 1850 ~ 1864
“…was a widespread civil war in southern China, led by heterodox Christian convert Hong Xiuquan, who having received visions, maintained that he was the younger brother of Jesus Christ against the ruling Manchu-led Qing Dynasty. About 20 million people died, mainly civilians, in one of the deadliest military conflicts in history.”
The Vietnam War 1955 ~ 1975
“…The U.S. government viewed involvement in the war as a way to prevent a communist takeover of South Vietnam and part of their wider strategy of containment.”
The Gulf War 1990 ~ 1991
“…following the conquest of Kuwait, the Iraqi army was within easy striking distance of Saudi oil fields. Control of these fields, along with Kuwaiti and Iraqi reserves, would have given Hussein control over the majority of the world's oil reserves.”
Mexican Drug War 1990s ~ Now
“…The Mexican Drug War is an ongoing armed conflict taking place among rival drug cartels, who fight each other for regional control, and Mexican government forces who seek to combat drug trafficking.”
As we can clearly see, recent wars are shockingly similar to those of the past. Humankind really has a lot to learn if we are to taste true progress and compassionate for his fellow man. War still exists although governments and politicians try to cover it up with excuses as they have done for so many years. Perhaps one day, the world will know peace.
*All information has been sourced from Wikipedia.org.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Home Based Learning
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Post-review: The Soldier
Q.1 Annually, we need young men in Singapore to do national service. Why do you think that national service is compulsory in Singapore and why is this important? In the poem, the speaker expresses his love for his country, England. Do you have the same spirit of patriotism towards Singapore? Why? Do you find this same spirit of patriotism in Singapore Why?
National service is required because Singapore is a small country and we do not have a large enough of pool of young men that are willing to serve the country. If national service was voluntary, the army would be severely understaffed and incapable of putting up a serious defense. I admit do not currently have the same spirit of patriotism for Singapore. I do love and cherish this beautiful “garden-city” because this is the place I grew up in and I have many fond memories. However, at this point in time, I’m not exactly very eager to leave my family and friends (permanently) for Singapore. There is no good reason to do so. Although I’m no flag-waving nationalist, one day there will come a time when this “Singapore heaven” is threatened and maybe I’ll feel the patriotism of Rupert Brooke.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Book Review #2: Stories
Friday, June 10, 2011
Holiday Book Review #1: Scorpia Rising
Friday, April 1, 2011
RECIPE 45076L: Banana Split
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
A Letter
Please do not read the tabloids and take the word of those conspiracy theorists seriously. They are only out to create a illusion of mayhem so they can profit from it. I think you reassure your family that the authorities are doing the best they can to contain the situation. There have been quite a few major disasters like these around the world and the world still has not ended yet.
The whole entire world is collecting funds to help the victims of this catastrophe and the people of Japan. We are all doing the best that we can to offer a helping hand, sympathy and supplies.
Although many people are "evacuating" your prefecture, you shouldn't be swept up by this mass hysteria. On the other hand, I think you were right about taking a break from all this depressing thoughts. Enjoy your trip to Fukuoka!
I sincerely hope this letter will ease your fears of an imminent apocalypse. I know that your world has been turned upside down, but you have to bear with it and soldier on with your normal life. That said, I still think that you should prepare some essentials just for a worst case scenario. Remember to keep calm at all times!
Monday, February 28, 2011
The Setting of a Story via an Image
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Singapore Identity (Finalised)
The nurse walked in, carrying an assortment of pills on a hard metal tray. She set it down next to the old man, waking him with a loud clanging in the process. He gripped the white plastic railing with his trembling hands, and slowly he managed to lift his frail body to a suitable position to take his pills. He still had a few pitiful strands of hair left, all of them streaked white. Slowly and methodically, he examined each and every pill before gulping them down. Satisfied, the nurse left and let his favorite visitor in.
Until now, the old man’s face betrayed no feelings, but as soon as the child walked in, the mask crumbled away and he grinned from ear to ear, showing his only remaining two teeth. “How is my favorite grandson today?” Once a week, every Friday, his favorite visitor was fetched by his chauffeur to the hospital to visit him. The boy embraced his grandfather, his plump body, youthful energy and naïve outlook a stark contrast to the thin, tired and abused frame of the old man.
“Ye Ye (Chinese for grandfather), are you feeling any better?” He held his grandfather’s hand tightly, hoping for the best. “Yes yes Alex, nothing to worry about,” lied the old man. They told him that he had not long to live, and when he asked to return home, they denied him his wish, pointing to charts and figures he could not understand. He was bitter. They just wanted to milk him of more of his hard earned money. Money, money, and money it was always about that. How he detested the very thought of dollar signs! His own flesh and blood son, along with his wife of his Martha or Marcy or Mary he could never remember, was always away on business trips and meetings and such, never coming to visit, not even during Chinese New Year. I will die alone and uncared for, he thought grimly to himself.
As usual, Alex took out his homework to do, his brows furrowed in deep concentration. “Alex, do you want to hear a story? “ His grandfather asked, slowly and slightly hesitant. Alex nodded eagerly, eyes fixated on his grandfather as he begun to speak.
The old man had been preparing all week for this, each word and each pause carefully planned out for maximum impact. He spoke carefully and with deliberation, to ensure that his grandson would hear and understand every word. He had been practicing almost every night, mumbling it to himself before he slept. Yes, he thought to himself, I must tell him about our roots. To him, this would probably be the last important task in his life.
“In my family, there were 5 children. I was the youngest.” Alex’s jaw dropped. He was an only child. The old man anticipated this and continued nonchalantly with a slight grin,” We had family dinners almost every day, the seven of us including my mother and my father squeezed around a small wooden table, the dingy room lighted by a single light bulb. Even worse, all I got for lunch was porridge and dinner was half a bowl of rice with just several pieces of salted vegetables at the side.”
”Back then, no one had a television, not even a telephone! I remember every Friday night we would gather around at the community center, watching fuzzy black and white images of the news. We were all trying to learn English, so we watched it even though it bored us half to death. It was hot and humid.. smelly too.” He had a look of disgust on his face, as if he was there instead of the cool, stale hospital ward.
“It’s not fun even though I have a computer, television and my mobile phone. There’s no one next to you to joke and laugh with. It’s just not fun…” came the somber reply.
The old man was really at a loss of what to say. It was never suppose to be like this. “Stop interrupting me when I’m speaking to you!” he wagged his finger threateningly. Alex nodded apologetically, “Sorry.” Satisfied, his grandfather continued.
“Anyway, back in my day, we climbed trees, went around catching spiders, going for a dip in the muddy pond and occasionally playing five stones. Sometimes we even-“
“What is five stones?” Alex just could not contain his curiosity.
This time, the old man’s jaw dropped. “Wha-What? You don’t know what is five stones?” He was dumb-founded. Five stones was the game back in his schooling days. Hastily, he ripped five pieces of paper from an old yellow notepad on the table next to him. He crumpled them into 5 small yellow paper balls. The next 5 minutes were spent explaining the rules. After which, they spent a good deal of time laughing and playing the simple game. Together.
After beating his grandfather at five stones pretty soundly, he checked his watch and announced sadly that he had to start going home. The old man was dismayed. He still had so much to tell, so many events to describe… But no, his grandchild really had to leave. He probably had more important things to do than entertain his old grandfather.
Rather ironically, as Alex left, each of them thought to themselves that the other had a much better life. Alex, facing the uncertain future alone, and Mr. Tan Kam Leng, facing the inevitable, his only companions the gentle beeping of his heart monitor and the four white walls that surrounded his bed.
Was the new identity of Singapore in the 21st Century one of parents that never called, homework that never stopped and a people who's dreams were never fulfilled...?
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Due to the feedback I received, I believe that the short story is generally quite good, but no one really got what I was trying to say. Thus, the last paragraph was added to ease the confusion. Thanks!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Motions
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Singapore Identity
The nurse walked in, carrying an assortment of pills on a hard metal tray. She set it down next to the old man, waking him with a loud clanging in the process. He gripped the white plastic railing with his trembling hands, and slowly he managed to lift his frail body to a suitable position to take his pills. He still had a few pitiful strands of hair left, all of them streaked white. Slowly and methodically, he examined each and every pill before gulping them down. Satisfied, the nurse left and let his favorite visitor in.
Until now, the old man’s face betrayed no feelings, but as soon as the child walked in, the mask crumbled away and he grinned from ear to ear, showing his only remaining two teeth. “How is my favorite grandson today?” Once a week, every Friday, his favorite visitor was fetched by his chauffeur to the hospital to visit him. The boy embraced his grandfather, his plump body, youthful energy and naïve outlook a stark contrast to the thin, tired and abused frame of the old man.
“Ye Ye (Chinese for grandfather), are you feeling any better?” He held his grandfather’s hand tightly, hoping for the best. “Yes yes Alex, nothing to worry about,” lied the old man. They told him that he had not long to live, and when he asked to return home, they denied him his wish, pointing to charts and figures he could not understand. He was bitter. They just wanted to milk him of more of his hard earned money. Money, money, and money it was always about that. How he detested the very thought of dollar signs! His own flesh and blood son, along with his wife of his Martha or Marcy or Mary he could never remember, was always away on business trips and meetings and such, never coming to visit, not even during Chinese New Year. I will die alone and uncared for, he thought grimly to himself.
As usual, Alex took out his homework to do, his brows furrowed in deep concentration. “Alex, do you want to hear a story? “ His grandfather asked, slowly and slightly hesitant. Alex nodded eagerly, eyes fixated on his grandfather as he begun to speak.
The old man had been preparing all week for this, each word and each pause carefully planned out for maximum impact. He spoke carefully and with deliberation, to ensure that his grandson would hear and understand every word. He had been practicing almost every night, mumbling it to himself before he slept. Yes, he thought to himself, I must tell him about our roots. To him, this would probably be the last important task in his life.
“In my family, there were 5 children. I was the youngest.” Alex’s jaw dropped. He was an only child. The old man anticipated this and continued nonchalantly with a slight grin,” We had family dinners almost every day, the seven of us including my mother and my father squeezed around a small wooden table, the dingy room lighted by a single light bulb. Even worse, all I got for lunch was porridge and dinner was half a bowl of rice with just several pieces of salted vegetables at the side.”
”Back then, no one had a television, not even a telephone! I remember every Friday night we would gather around at the community center, watching fuzzy black and white images of the news. We were all trying to learn English, so we watched it even though it bored us half to death. It was hot and humid.. smelly too.” He had a look of disgust on his face, as if he was there instead of the cool, stale hospital ward.
“It’s not fun even though I have a computer, television and my mobile phone. There’s no one next to you to joke and laugh with. It’s just not fun…” came the somber reply.
The old man was really at a loss of what to say. It was never suppose to be like this. “Stop interrupting me when I’m speaking to you!” he wagged his finger threateningly. Alex nodded apologetically, “Sorry.” Satisfied, his grandfather continued.
“Anyway, back in my day, we climbed trees, went around catching spiders, going for a dip in the muddy pond and occasionally playing five stones. Sometimes we even-“
“What is five stones?” Alex just could not contain his curiosity.
This time, the old man’s jaw dropped. “Wha-What? You don’t know what is five stones?” He was dumb-founded. Five stones was the game back in his schooling days. Hastily, he ripped five pieces of paper from an old yellow notepad on the table next to him. He crumpled them into 5 small yellow paper balls. The next 5 minutes were spent explaining the rules. After which, they spent a good deal of time laughing and playing the simple game. Together.
After beating his grandfather at five stones pretty soundly, he checked his watch and announced sadly that he had to start going home. The old man was dismayed. He still had so much to tell, so many events to describe… But no, his grandchild really had to leave. He probably had more important things to do than entertain his old grandfather.
Rather ironically, as Alex left, each of them thought to themselves that the other had a much better life. Alex, facing the uncertain future alone, and Mr. Tan Kam Leng, facing the inevitable, his only companions the gentle beeping of his heart monitor and the four white walls that surrounded his bed.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Setting
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Telephone Conversation by Wole Soyinka
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Historical Background I
The origin of the phrase "Jim Crow" has often been attributed to "Jump Jim Crow", a song-and-dance caricature of African Americans which first surfaced in 1832. As a result of the song's fame, "Jim Crow" had become a pejorative expression meaning "African American" by 1838.
Monday, January 24, 2011
E-learning Comic
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Discrimination
Internal
Gender Discrimination: There is a misconception that males are more athletic than females.
Racial Discrimination: Activities of the Ku Klux Klan
Intelligence Discrimination: Elitist schools looking down on neighborhood
Appearance Discrimination: Fat persons are classified as ugly by society.
Disability Discrimination: Their needs are neglected by society.
Nationality Discrimination: Intense hate between Russians and Americans during the Cold War.
External
Sexual Orientation Discrimination: Homosexuals are ostracized by society.
Religious Discrimination: The Crusades against Muslim lands.
Job Discrimination: Junk collectors are looked down and despised by society
Political Discrimination: Supporters of political parties are targeted with violence.
Wealth Discrimination: The Nazi Party targeted the rich and successful Jewish people.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Shel Silverstein Poems
What the poet is trying to highlight is the fact that humans are quick to blame and criticize others while not first taking a good look at one self. In a sense, we are blind to our own faults and we focus solely on the errs of others.