Excitement has spread to relationships as well. Females demand candlelight dinners, diamond rings and bouquets of flowers from their partners. If a heart is truly full of love, even the simple and small things can match up to such extravagant gestures, as Mother Teresa said, "We can do small things with great love."
Where is the taste and appreciation for pure simplicity?!
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Shops' interior architecture and housewives' brains
A Stomp photgraph showed a boutique with a shiny floor. That can cause the unintended outraged modesty of female patrons who wear skirts. The floor surface can reflect their undergarments as they walk. This will cause the business of the shop to be adversely affected, since the female customers will be afraid of venturing into it.
To have swanky architecture and give a trendy impression is one thing but to cross the boundary of indecent exposure is another. Unconscious knowledge will not be a valid reason when the prospect of legal confrontation awaits. It's best to practise caution when setting up a shop to prevent such sensitive issues from arising.
Tabitha Wang wrote on her perspective as a working housewife and I don't blame her for feeling indignantly infuriated towards the perceptions people have of her capability. Some housewives are graduates too, all you male chauvinists out there! People's brains don't just regress with a different way of using them! Do you think it is that easy being in charge of domestic affairs without a maid to assist you?? In fact, housewives have more time and energy to peruse the newspapers thoroughly and catch up on general knowledge via enriching television programmes, than those who hold jobs outside.
I salute Tabitha Wang's way of dealing with her client and it actually put him to shame, knowing that he had underestimated her abilities. Way to go, Tabitha!
To have swanky architecture and give a trendy impression is one thing but to cross the boundary of indecent exposure is another. Unconscious knowledge will not be a valid reason when the prospect of legal confrontation awaits. It's best to practise caution when setting up a shop to prevent such sensitive issues from arising.
Tabitha Wang wrote on her perspective as a working housewife and I don't blame her for feeling indignantly infuriated towards the perceptions people have of her capability. Some housewives are graduates too, all you male chauvinists out there! People's brains don't just regress with a different way of using them! Do you think it is that easy being in charge of domestic affairs without a maid to assist you?? In fact, housewives have more time and energy to peruse the newspapers thoroughly and catch up on general knowledge via enriching television programmes, than those who hold jobs outside.
I salute Tabitha Wang's way of dealing with her client and it actually put him to shame, knowing that he had underestimated her abilities. Way to go, Tabitha!
Job prospects for Art grads
Ratna Tiwary wrote this really appealing article on Art graduates and here are my two cents' worth on it.
I am an Art graduate myself and am ashamed to say that I began looking for jobs only upon my graduation. I was too absorbed in trying to do well in my examinations. Thank God, I found a job which seemed perfect.
Yes, who says a degree can get you everywhere? It is only a passport to jobs and once you get a job, you have to start afresh in the working world. Dressing is definitely an important aspect of getting around in this world, what more when at interviews. As a private tutor, I still dress suitably when going for my first lesson with a new student. It makes an impression on the parent, besides the way I speak and act towards him or her.
She mentioned some students failing to complete assignments or choosing a degree based on reputation. These ill-disciplined students who think assignments aren't of any use, are probably taking advantage of tertiary education's independent and lax system, where the lecturers and tutors don't really badger the students if they fail to hand in their work. Eventually, these students are really the ones to bear the negative consequences of this lack of effort.
Some others pursue a major because it will provide them with a good income in future or cause others to envy them. That belittles the true essence of the degree, I feel. Their lack of authentic passion for it is an insult to graduates who pursue the degree out of genuine interest.
I am an Art graduate myself and am ashamed to say that I began looking for jobs only upon my graduation. I was too absorbed in trying to do well in my examinations. Thank God, I found a job which seemed perfect.
Yes, who says a degree can get you everywhere? It is only a passport to jobs and once you get a job, you have to start afresh in the working world. Dressing is definitely an important aspect of getting around in this world, what more when at interviews. As a private tutor, I still dress suitably when going for my first lesson with a new student. It makes an impression on the parent, besides the way I speak and act towards him or her.
She mentioned some students failing to complete assignments or choosing a degree based on reputation. These ill-disciplined students who think assignments aren't of any use, are probably taking advantage of tertiary education's independent and lax system, where the lecturers and tutors don't really badger the students if they fail to hand in their work. Eventually, these students are really the ones to bear the negative consequences of this lack of effort.
Some others pursue a major because it will provide them with a good income in future or cause others to envy them. That belittles the true essence of the degree, I feel. Their lack of authentic passion for it is an insult to graduates who pursue the degree out of genuine interest.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
The handicapped are also humans!
An article which ran in the New Paper on this hearing-impaired boy being taunted by his neightbours, caused indignance in me.
It wasn't his fault that he became as such. Life had dealt him this blow and instead of giving him compassion, they make his life worse. Nothing can describe my disgust towards their absolutely repulsive act of writing insults on the walls, addressed to him. This made him stop talking to people altogether.
I had a hearing-impaired student and she is my friend now. She has as beautiful a heart as anyone else, in fact, even more so. I thank God for her employers who appreciate her and look beyond her disability.
Even religious people do such senseless things to the handicapped. Adults who hold high posts in their organizations actually see the mentally-disabled as threats to their precious children. What is religion for if not to show love and compassion to people around?! This same person also shouted at the disabled boy in front of others. He was just reaching out to people of his age, for God's sake!
Others also gossip about this disabled girl and don't want to talk to her. It is not her fault she became as such. Sad to say, they are my friends and it makes me ashamed to know that. All the catechetical lessons have been wasted on them, apparently. Age is not a reason here.
Just in case you think otherwise, I do talk to these two people when I see them and I did tell my friends off for their remarks, though I wish I could have been harsher to them when I did so.
It wasn't his fault that he became as such. Life had dealt him this blow and instead of giving him compassion, they make his life worse. Nothing can describe my disgust towards their absolutely repulsive act of writing insults on the walls, addressed to him. This made him stop talking to people altogether.
I had a hearing-impaired student and she is my friend now. She has as beautiful a heart as anyone else, in fact, even more so. I thank God for her employers who appreciate her and look beyond her disability.
Even religious people do such senseless things to the handicapped. Adults who hold high posts in their organizations actually see the mentally-disabled as threats to their precious children. What is religion for if not to show love and compassion to people around?! This same person also shouted at the disabled boy in front of others. He was just reaching out to people of his age, for God's sake!
Others also gossip about this disabled girl and don't want to talk to her. It is not her fault she became as such. Sad to say, they are my friends and it makes me ashamed to know that. All the catechetical lessons have been wasted on them, apparently. Age is not a reason here.
Just in case you think otherwise, I do talk to these two people when I see them and I did tell my friends off for their remarks, though I wish I could have been harsher to them when I did so.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Local female shoppers
It's always interesting to see the way our local women go about their shopping.
They take a long time to look for their items, either alone or with company. They take a longer time in the fitting room when trying out clothes, deciding on whether to buy them or not. They linger on their choices when buying gifts.
When the focus is switched to their company, it is noted that if their companions are men, they present sulky faces behind their backs. I don't blame the men really. Would anyone like it if he was dragged to so many shops which disinterest him and asked to carry bags of purchases not his own? I pity them in fact. Their female companions lack the sensitivity and consideration to ask about how they really feel shopping with them.
Hence, I feel bad asking my male friends to go shopping with me, though some actually don't mind. They find shopping with women fascinating. I go on my own or with female friends.
They take a long time to look for their items, either alone or with company. They take a longer time in the fitting room when trying out clothes, deciding on whether to buy them or not. They linger on their choices when buying gifts.
When the focus is switched to their company, it is noted that if their companions are men, they present sulky faces behind their backs. I don't blame the men really. Would anyone like it if he was dragged to so many shops which disinterest him and asked to carry bags of purchases not his own? I pity them in fact. Their female companions lack the sensitivity and consideration to ask about how they really feel shopping with them.
Hence, I feel bad asking my male friends to go shopping with me, though some actually don't mind. They find shopping with women fascinating. I go on my own or with female friends.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Experiential teaching of English
I was eating my lunch when this pair of mother and daughter sat beside me. What followed between them was a very interesting observation for me.
There was the shop Polar Puffs nearby and the girl asked her mother the meaning of the word "puffs". Her mother told her they are like cakes and taught her that the word is a noun; a name of something. Her mother also added that the word is a verb too. She gave the example of the Big Bad Wolf.
I was intrigued by the way the mother taught English to her daughter. She used the tangible realities in life as tools. Her daughter had just asked a simple question but she took the chance to expound academically on it.
There was the shop Polar Puffs nearby and the girl asked her mother the meaning of the word "puffs". Her mother told her they are like cakes and taught her that the word is a noun; a name of something. Her mother also added that the word is a verb too. She gave the example of the Big Bad Wolf.
I was intrigued by the way the mother taught English to her daughter. She used the tangible realities in life as tools. Her daughter had just asked a simple question but she took the chance to expound academically on it.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
I, superstitious? Definitely not!
Neville Stack wrote an article in the New Paper about superstitions and some I've heard from people popped into my mind. Still, they don't hinder the way I live because I don't believe in them.
I still walk under ladders, allow black cats to cross my path and visit people on the third day of Chinese New Year, regardless of the fact that they may become my enemies for life. I don't feel any qualms about sweeping the house during Chinese New Year, if it is dirty. The only superstition I was naive enough to believe in due to age was to throw a coin over my back at Rome's Trevi Fountain to have my wish come true. Obviously, I didn't get my wish fulfilled.
So what about you? Are you superstitious?
I still walk under ladders, allow black cats to cross my path and visit people on the third day of Chinese New Year, regardless of the fact that they may become my enemies for life. I don't feel any qualms about sweeping the house during Chinese New Year, if it is dirty. The only superstition I was naive enough to believe in due to age was to throw a coin over my back at Rome's Trevi Fountain to have my wish come true. Obviously, I didn't get my wish fulfilled.
So what about you? Are you superstitious?
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
'Suay, numbskull, brainless, scatterbrain!'
A teacher used such words of a similar nature on a student and encountered an adverse reaction from the student's parent as a result. Was that just a method of motivating the student or a way of venting her frustration on the student? Was she being innovative in using reverse psychology or was she just plain insensitive to the needs and feelings of the student?
Indeed, even parents use such words on their own kids, so what is the issue over teachers using the same words on their kids? It boils down to mere over-protectiveness towards their children. Isn't that practising double standards? It also stems from distrust towards the teachers.
Yes, the current generation of parents, though not all, seem to exhibit this attribute more apparently than those of the earlier generations. They are really spoiling their children, I feel. I was hit on the hand with a ruler and humiliated in front of my classmates in primary school. There were no complaints from my parents. What's wrong with the "old days"?!
This method of teaching will actually prepare the students for the working world. Some bosses can be far more demanding and having an early taste of it will serve only to strengthen the students' resolution in coping with such situations in the future, as well as to build their character. The students will also turn out to be better persons in future, having been tried so much as to attain a higher level of maturity.
Indeed, even parents use such words on their own kids, so what is the issue over teachers using the same words on their kids? It boils down to mere over-protectiveness towards their children. Isn't that practising double standards? It also stems from distrust towards the teachers.
Yes, the current generation of parents, though not all, seem to exhibit this attribute more apparently than those of the earlier generations. They are really spoiling their children, I feel. I was hit on the hand with a ruler and humiliated in front of my classmates in primary school. There were no complaints from my parents. What's wrong with the "old days"?!
This method of teaching will actually prepare the students for the working world. Some bosses can be far more demanding and having an early taste of it will serve only to strengthen the students' resolution in coping with such situations in the future, as well as to build their character. The students will also turn out to be better persons in future, having been tried so much as to attain a higher level of maturity.
Friday, October 27, 2006
I'm Home.
A New Paper columnist who calls his column Ang Moh in Singapore mentioned the feeling of homeliness he gets upon returning to Singapore after a trip. I get that same feeling when I see Changi Airport from the window of the aeroplane I'm in. It gets more intense when I'm on our very own airline Singapore Airlines. The crew is mostly Singaporean and I feel a sense of kinship with them as citizens.
When we reach the customs, I feel this sense of welcoming upon seeing the airport staff. Though they may be of a different race, this's not an obstruction. I have this unexplained feeling of superiority when I walk over to the counter that's meant for citizens. I feel superior to the tourists who have to go to the visitors' counter. However, I'm sure this feeling pertains to them as well when they reach their own countries.
When we reach the customs, I feel this sense of welcoming upon seeing the airport staff. Though they may be of a different race, this's not an obstruction. I have this unexplained feeling of superiority when I walk over to the counter that's meant for citizens. I feel superior to the tourists who have to go to the visitors' counter. However, I'm sure this feeling pertains to them as well when they reach their own countries.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Outcry over the definition of IJ girls.
Letters pertaining to this "tongue-in-cheek" definition have been published in the newspapers recently. I too, have my own view on this, being a former IJ girl. I was educated in my alma mater for 10 years.
I do acknowledge the roles it has played in my fluency in English as well as in my character -building process. 'Simple in Virtue, Steadfast in Duty', which IJ girl isn't familiar with this school motto of hers? At least 11 IJ schools adopt this value system. It's no wonder that there are former girls provoked by Life's definition! I believe Sumiko Tan is a former IJ girl and happened to be from my secondary school. She writes for Life too. I also know of another employee in SPH who was from an IJ school. How would they take this?
The writer could have been more sensitive to us, I feel. The "tongue-in-cheek" insertion is not an adequate excuse for his offensive words. The fact that there are members of parliament and even religious sisters, who are former IJ girls, proves his label wrong beyond the shadow of a doubt. He has offended personal sensitivities in the political and religious arenas. He has insulted our dignity, identity and the values imbued in us by our founder Father Nicholas Barre.
However, from an objective point of view, the black sheep amongst the IJ girls have given us a bad reputation and caused the public to have such a stereotype towards us. I remember this particular event during my secondary school days. Some of our girls behaved indecently with some boys from the neighbouring school at a fast-food restaurant, causing all of us to be banned from that outlet. They were in their school uniforms, mind you!
That was an unjust act towards the majority of the cohort but we should blame the few girls for being inconsiderate and sullying our school's name in the first place. Hence the public has given us such a misnomer as being "easy with the opposite sex".
I do acknowledge the roles it has played in my fluency in English as well as in my character -building process. 'Simple in Virtue, Steadfast in Duty', which IJ girl isn't familiar with this school motto of hers? At least 11 IJ schools adopt this value system. It's no wonder that there are former girls provoked by Life's definition! I believe Sumiko Tan is a former IJ girl and happened to be from my secondary school. She writes for Life too. I also know of another employee in SPH who was from an IJ school. How would they take this?
The writer could have been more sensitive to us, I feel. The "tongue-in-cheek" insertion is not an adequate excuse for his offensive words. The fact that there are members of parliament and even religious sisters, who are former IJ girls, proves his label wrong beyond the shadow of a doubt. He has offended personal sensitivities in the political and religious arenas. He has insulted our dignity, identity and the values imbued in us by our founder Father Nicholas Barre.
However, from an objective point of view, the black sheep amongst the IJ girls have given us a bad reputation and caused the public to have such a stereotype towards us. I remember this particular event during my secondary school days. Some of our girls behaved indecently with some boys from the neighbouring school at a fast-food restaurant, causing all of us to be banned from that outlet. They were in their school uniforms, mind you!
That was an unjust act towards the majority of the cohort but we should blame the few girls for being inconsiderate and sullying our school's name in the first place. Hence the public has given us such a misnomer as being "easy with the opposite sex".
The "allure" of 'branded' schools
Parents seem to think that putting their children in such schools will enable the kids to find a good job when they start working, according to this article written by Divya Sangameshwar. That's clearly a misconception. Employers look for on-the-job performance and attitude besides just one's academic qualifications, what more the schools one went to. To be blatant, that's a naive perception to have.
Divya is correct in her opinion that some parents expect the teachers to take over their parenting while their kids are with the teachers. Yes, the parents may be working and thus have less time to spend with their kids in the day but that's no excuse for them to shirk their duty. It's really quite annoying because the teachers have other students to handle, aren't related to the kids and don't see the kids as often as their parents who live in the same house do.
Divya is correct in her opinion that some parents expect the teachers to take over their parenting while their kids are with the teachers. Yes, the parents may be working and thus have less time to spend with their kids in the day but that's no excuse for them to shirk their duty. It's really quite annoying because the teachers have other students to handle, aren't related to the kids and don't see the kids as often as their parents who live in the same house do.
Saturday, August 19, 2006
The real definition of Singlish and mobile phone users
The controversy on English versus Singlish continues in the newspapers and this time, the definition of the latter is mentioned. Singlish is not ungrammatical English, or English incorporating dialectically exclusive terms, or peppered with words and phrases from other languages , as we are portraying to foreigners, but proper English in a Singaporean accent.
It's really interesting how people use their moblie phones. When I'm alone, this becomes more apparent to me.
Some people speak really loudly on their phones and I am practically "in" their conversations. I heard a girl lamenting to her friend on the other line that she has no boyfriend and her friends who have boyfriends don't spend much time with her nowadays. Of course I'm not immune from this phenomenon but I am trying to tone down when I speak.
Some women answer their calls while in the toilet cubicle. It's rather rude and uncouth, I feel. The person on the other line is audibly privy to what you are doing inside and yes, you do keep people outside your cubicle waiting.
It's really interesting how people use their moblie phones. When I'm alone, this becomes more apparent to me.
Some people speak really loudly on their phones and I am practically "in" their conversations. I heard a girl lamenting to her friend on the other line that she has no boyfriend and her friends who have boyfriends don't spend much time with her nowadays. Of course I'm not immune from this phenomenon but I am trying to tone down when I speak.
Some women answer their calls while in the toilet cubicle. It's rather rude and uncouth, I feel. The person on the other line is audibly privy to what you are doing inside and yes, you do keep people outside your cubicle waiting.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Psyching students up for their exams
A principal of a school in the West wrote letters to students who possess slackening attitudes towards their studies. Her intention was to correct those attitudes and jolt the students into being serious in their studies. However, a minority of them and some parents didn't take to this method. Even a teacher felt that some of the words used were too strong.
The principal's reply implied that her letters were done on the spur of the moment. Prior editing was definitely essential, not just because of the Speak Good English campaign. They may have been more personal and real as a result but somehow the haste portrayed in them has the effect of insincerity.
I have talked about this in a much earlier entry. This is really reverse psychology. Some teachers and parents also seemingly "condemn" these students and pretend to lose hope in them ever improving in their performances, so as to get them all fired up to prove their teachers and parents wrong. This is usually done by the earlier generations of figures in authority.
Unfortunately, not every student is that adept at realising the noble reason behind such an action. Sometimes, direct encouragement and confidence is better at achieving the same result. This is actually reverse psychology as well. Trust is instilled in the students, that they will be able to do well in their studies. This makes them feel that they can't afford to let their teacher or parent down due to the confidence in their ability. Thus, they resolve to study hard and give their best shot in their studies.
The principal's reply implied that her letters were done on the spur of the moment. Prior editing was definitely essential, not just because of the Speak Good English campaign. They may have been more personal and real as a result but somehow the haste portrayed in them has the effect of insincerity.
I have talked about this in a much earlier entry. This is really reverse psychology. Some teachers and parents also seemingly "condemn" these students and pretend to lose hope in them ever improving in their performances, so as to get them all fired up to prove their teachers and parents wrong. This is usually done by the earlier generations of figures in authority.
Unfortunately, not every student is that adept at realising the noble reason behind such an action. Sometimes, direct encouragement and confidence is better at achieving the same result. This is actually reverse psychology as well. Trust is instilled in the students, that they will be able to do well in their studies. This makes them feel that they can't afford to let their teacher or parent down due to the confidence in their ability. Thus, they resolve to study hard and give their best shot in their studies.
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Being exacting can be a turn-off
I was at J8's NTUC and was waiting in the queue behind this lady who had bought numerous six-pack cartons of a drink. As she was loading them onto the counter, she asked for the sparkling type. I switched to another queue as I knew she was going to take a long time in paying for her items.
When the salesgirl replied that it was sold out and only the original type was left, she made a really big fuss over it. She said she had been told that there was an offer over it and she could not believe that it had been sold out.
I was so repulsed by her behaviour because when something is sold out, it shows its popularity and the normal thing to do is to accept the news with disappointment. However, she was ranting and raving. What gives her the edge over the rest of humankind to act differently?? I was so fed up that I said pretty loudly to my friend that she was an example of a black sheep. Obviously, it didn't serve to stop her obnoxious attitude.
She was attracting irritated eyes from the nearby customers, including myself but she couldn't care less. All she wanted was her own way. Her husband was standing near her, hapless at how to stop her. Even the salesgirl gave her dagger-like looks for her ridiculous behaviour.
Very soon, she had pushed away all the other customers behind her as they switched to other queues. As I left, she was still at her 'speech of justice'. She really spoilt my mood.
When the salesgirl replied that it was sold out and only the original type was left, she made a really big fuss over it. She said she had been told that there was an offer over it and she could not believe that it had been sold out.
I was so repulsed by her behaviour because when something is sold out, it shows its popularity and the normal thing to do is to accept the news with disappointment. However, she was ranting and raving. What gives her the edge over the rest of humankind to act differently?? I was so fed up that I said pretty loudly to my friend that she was an example of a black sheep. Obviously, it didn't serve to stop her obnoxious attitude.
She was attracting irritated eyes from the nearby customers, including myself but she couldn't care less. All she wanted was her own way. Her husband was standing near her, hapless at how to stop her. Even the salesgirl gave her dagger-like looks for her ridiculous behaviour.
Very soon, she had pushed away all the other customers behind her as they switched to other queues. As I left, she was still at her 'speech of justice'. She really spoilt my mood.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Seniority in age doesn't lead to priority in service
I was waiting for my order of Guo Tie at a stall and the assistant had warned me that it would be given to me last because the noodle orders were easier to attend to and thus done first. I agreed since I wasn't famished.
While waiting, there were customers with me who asked why the orders took such a long time but they did so in a light-hearted manner, as they did understand that the stallholders were already trying their best. There was however, one irksome customer who was making a really big fuss over it. She was definitely above 60 years of age based on her appearance.
She scolded the assistant for taking such a long time when she had finished eating her other dishes. She was sitting down for goodness sake while the rest of us were standing. Moreover, I had waited for 20 minutes without so much as a whine! Her seniority didn't entitle her to be so demanding, I feel. I was a little fed up with her. Her voice was really loud and even my friend at the other end of the coffeeshop could hear her.
The assistant was petrified and at a loss but this nice customer calmed her down by patting her back. The assistant could only tell the old lady to wait another 5 minutes in a polite manner and apologise profusely. The customer kept saying she wanted to go home and refused to listen. She kept rattling verbally. $5 is still money and so the assistant humbly tried to pacify her.
After the old lady went back to her seat, the stallholders remarked that Guo Tie needs time to be cooked well. They were calm about the whole matter though. They immediately fried the Guo Tie though and when she came back to ask again, they told her it was ready. She didn't want it however, as she was already fuming by then. The stallholder had to serve her personally even though it is self-service. He was humble and that pacified her.
What a customer! She was so impatient, lacked understanding and self-control. Then again, her age may have been the factor to such a behaviour!
While waiting, there were customers with me who asked why the orders took such a long time but they did so in a light-hearted manner, as they did understand that the stallholders were already trying their best. There was however, one irksome customer who was making a really big fuss over it. She was definitely above 60 years of age based on her appearance.
She scolded the assistant for taking such a long time when she had finished eating her other dishes. She was sitting down for goodness sake while the rest of us were standing. Moreover, I had waited for 20 minutes without so much as a whine! Her seniority didn't entitle her to be so demanding, I feel. I was a little fed up with her. Her voice was really loud and even my friend at the other end of the coffeeshop could hear her.
The assistant was petrified and at a loss but this nice customer calmed her down by patting her back. The assistant could only tell the old lady to wait another 5 minutes in a polite manner and apologise profusely. The customer kept saying she wanted to go home and refused to listen. She kept rattling verbally. $5 is still money and so the assistant humbly tried to pacify her.
After the old lady went back to her seat, the stallholders remarked that Guo Tie needs time to be cooked well. They were calm about the whole matter though. They immediately fried the Guo Tie though and when she came back to ask again, they told her it was ready. She didn't want it however, as she was already fuming by then. The stallholder had to serve her personally even though it is self-service. He was humble and that pacified her.
What a customer! She was so impatient, lacked understanding and self-control. Then again, her age may have been the factor to such a behaviour!
School? Play too!
Ho Kong Loon wrote about how school nowadays is so pressurizing for children as compared to school of bygone days. He reminisced about the "moments of joy, laughter, firm friendships and camaraderie" that defined his learning days. He did enjoy the "companionship of schoolmates (and) the love and concern of teachers"
Such times during my A'level days were brought to mind as I read on. I had a bunch of mates whom I spent most of my time with. We ate together, studied together and even prayed together. I remember fondly our short days, when we used to go to the prata stalls and Japanese restaurant at Casuarina Road. The Indian Rojak and Oyako Don were really enticing. Our school was also opposite Hans. When we stayed back in school to study, we went there for lunch. Meifen loved the Grilled Fish there and she introduced it to me. There were also a minimart and coffeeshop along the same row of shops. Gerry and I used to buy lots of snacks and sweets to keep ourselves awake while ploughing through the endless notes we had. We used to go to North- point as well. It was our favourite haunt since there was a straight bus, 853, back to our homes. The food court was where we always headed to.
I have fond memories of studying not only with my mates but also with my seniors. They were kind enough to help us with any difficulties we faced. I remember copying my homework assignments from the smarter ones like Fazeela and Vanitha while eating my breakfast of Fried Bee Hoon with a slice of fried luncheon meat at 6.45am in the canteen. We used to sit at the first table every morning. I remember Yvonne and Shufen coaching me in Econs when I had to do a sub-paper that would determine my promotion. I did get promoted to the next year, God bless them. I also remember Shufen rubbing the deep purple bruise on my left arm really hard till it became red. Oh, how it hurt!
My Accounts tutor Mrs Wong gave me a pep talk to encourage us not to give up on her subject because we could still pass it. We were not hopeless. The time she spent touched me profoundly and I did pass her subject eventually. I was ecstastic when I got my results and immediately went to her. Mrs Fung and Ms Lim were extremely patient, understanding and gentle with my slow learning of A Math. I used to ask them the stupidest questions but they would never blink an eye and would guide me through to the answers. I did pass A Math too. Mdm Ang gave me money to take a cab home after my wallet was stolen from my bag while I was browsing at books in the library. I was distraught and desperate, and her understanding was much needed then.
May introduced me to the concept of a cell group, which is part of a Protestant's spiritual journey. I am a Roman Catholic and before that, this was alien to me. Together with my Accounts tutor Ms Chan, she introduced me to its workings of bible sharing and praise and worship. My Christian music tastes became more varied. She also brought me to the Festival of Praise event.
Ho Kong Loon also referred to Jeremy Lim's plea for school holidays to be play days rather than working ones filled with assignments and homework. With the evolution of time, parents' priorities change too. Children have to do exercises in their assessment books to while away the time instead of wasting time on "useless activities" like playing, watching TV or surfing the Internet. There is learning involved in such activities too! I pity them but they cannot tell their parents what they really want to do, which is to play. Will their parents listen?
He sent out a plea to those involved in educating the young to let them enjoy their learning years. I try my best to do so while teaching my kids, so that they don't dread my lessons.
Such times during my A'level days were brought to mind as I read on. I had a bunch of mates whom I spent most of my time with. We ate together, studied together and even prayed together. I remember fondly our short days, when we used to go to the prata stalls and Japanese restaurant at Casuarina Road. The Indian Rojak and Oyako Don were really enticing. Our school was also opposite Hans. When we stayed back in school to study, we went there for lunch. Meifen loved the Grilled Fish there and she introduced it to me. There were also a minimart and coffeeshop along the same row of shops. Gerry and I used to buy lots of snacks and sweets to keep ourselves awake while ploughing through the endless notes we had. We used to go to North- point as well. It was our favourite haunt since there was a straight bus, 853, back to our homes. The food court was where we always headed to.
I have fond memories of studying not only with my mates but also with my seniors. They were kind enough to help us with any difficulties we faced. I remember copying my homework assignments from the smarter ones like Fazeela and Vanitha while eating my breakfast of Fried Bee Hoon with a slice of fried luncheon meat at 6.45am in the canteen. We used to sit at the first table every morning. I remember Yvonne and Shufen coaching me in Econs when I had to do a sub-paper that would determine my promotion. I did get promoted to the next year, God bless them. I also remember Shufen rubbing the deep purple bruise on my left arm really hard till it became red. Oh, how it hurt!
My Accounts tutor Mrs Wong gave me a pep talk to encourage us not to give up on her subject because we could still pass it. We were not hopeless. The time she spent touched me profoundly and I did pass her subject eventually. I was ecstastic when I got my results and immediately went to her. Mrs Fung and Ms Lim were extremely patient, understanding and gentle with my slow learning of A Math. I used to ask them the stupidest questions but they would never blink an eye and would guide me through to the answers. I did pass A Math too. Mdm Ang gave me money to take a cab home after my wallet was stolen from my bag while I was browsing at books in the library. I was distraught and desperate, and her understanding was much needed then.
May introduced me to the concept of a cell group, which is part of a Protestant's spiritual journey. I am a Roman Catholic and before that, this was alien to me. Together with my Accounts tutor Ms Chan, she introduced me to its workings of bible sharing and praise and worship. My Christian music tastes became more varied. She also brought me to the Festival of Praise event.
Ho Kong Loon also referred to Jeremy Lim's plea for school holidays to be play days rather than working ones filled with assignments and homework. With the evolution of time, parents' priorities change too. Children have to do exercises in their assessment books to while away the time instead of wasting time on "useless activities" like playing, watching TV or surfing the Internet. There is learning involved in such activities too! I pity them but they cannot tell their parents what they really want to do, which is to play. Will their parents listen?
He sent out a plea to those involved in educating the young to let them enjoy their learning years. I try my best to do so while teaching my kids, so that they don't dread my lessons.
Intros and conclusions are relative
Neville Stack wrote an article on the art of writing (pun!) in Today.
What's written in an intro can actually be in a conclusion. His daughter wrote this on the founding of America: The Pilgrim Fathers sailed away. Then she wrote this as the conclusion: Horray. This is usually part of the body, as a feeling felt by the character. It can be interpreted as that of joy or sarcasm. See the innovation displayed by such a child?
She has given relativity to the rules governing the style of writing essays. She has used her young creative mind to give new insights into what's old and fixed.
He gives a few quotes from literary texts to illustrate his point. I'm intrigued by George Orwell's intro to 1984: 'It was a bright cold day in April and the clocks were striking thirteen.' To me, the latter part of the quote brings out the sci-fi genre of the text and an out-of-this-world perspective as I peruse the book.
What's written in an intro can actually be in a conclusion. His daughter wrote this on the founding of America: The Pilgrim Fathers sailed away. Then she wrote this as the conclusion: Horray. This is usually part of the body, as a feeling felt by the character. It can be interpreted as that of joy or sarcasm. See the innovation displayed by such a child?
She has given relativity to the rules governing the style of writing essays. She has used her young creative mind to give new insights into what's old and fixed.
He gives a few quotes from literary texts to illustrate his point. I'm intrigued by George Orwell's intro to 1984: 'It was a bright cold day in April and the clocks were striking thirteen.' To me, the latter part of the quote brings out the sci-fi genre of the text and an out-of-this-world perspective as I peruse the book.
Monday, August 07, 2006
Desiring to fill the solitude
We'll have times of solitude in our lives. However, solitude can mean being alone but not feeling lonely. We can occupy those times with activities like dwelling on past memories with nostalgic fondness, observing people around us or improving our knowledge through reading. These quiet pastimes are evidently done on our own, as opposed to messaging someone on the phone. We do need time on our own. Being with others can be emotionally exhausting.
A friend taught me that it's more polite to focus properly on your friend when you're out together, by not messaging others and calling others. Answering calls however, is acceptable. I can see the logic of this. Spending time with people who matter to you is precious and you don't want to spoil it with such actions. This is especially pertinent when attending religious services. It's bad enough to talk during them and distract others in the process, but not to switch handphones to the silent mode before services is even worse. It is extremely irritating to hear handphones ring loudly when one's silent before the Lord, seeking inner peace.
Yes, having a handphone has become a prevalent necessity nowadays. I myself, have an 'addiction' to it. I think I receive a message or call when my handphone is in my bag. I feel vibrations emitting from it. However, it is not true when I check my handphone. It's probably a subconscious desire for people to contact me. When I forget to bring it out, I do wonder whether I've had any missed calls or messages. It does feel good to know people want to contact you. Maybe I'm being egoistic. It's also true that without it, I cannot remember some of my contact numbers. I use it as my clock as well.
Conversely, without one, it allows me to empathise with those who don't have handphones. Deprivation can lead to compassion. Also, it is more convenient when you're trying to avoid contact from people who irk you. Missing their calls or deleting their messages can't always take place.
A friend taught me that it's more polite to focus properly on your friend when you're out together, by not messaging others and calling others. Answering calls however, is acceptable. I can see the logic of this. Spending time with people who matter to you is precious and you don't want to spoil it with such actions. This is especially pertinent when attending religious services. It's bad enough to talk during them and distract others in the process, but not to switch handphones to the silent mode before services is even worse. It is extremely irritating to hear handphones ring loudly when one's silent before the Lord, seeking inner peace.
Yes, having a handphone has become a prevalent necessity nowadays. I myself, have an 'addiction' to it. I think I receive a message or call when my handphone is in my bag. I feel vibrations emitting from it. However, it is not true when I check my handphone. It's probably a subconscious desire for people to contact me. When I forget to bring it out, I do wonder whether I've had any missed calls or messages. It does feel good to know people want to contact you. Maybe I'm being egoistic. It's also true that without it, I cannot remember some of my contact numbers. I use it as my clock as well.
Conversely, without one, it allows me to empathise with those who don't have handphones. Deprivation can lead to compassion. Also, it is more convenient when you're trying to avoid contact from people who irk you. Missing their calls or deleting their messages can't always take place.
Friday, August 04, 2006
Education and income? So what?
Most adults in Singapore are armed with degrees and step into the working world with them. However, their behaviour and treatment of those in the lower sectors of society are unbecoming!
I had helped a friend to distribute leaflets at City Hall MRT Station. The normal perception of people with such jobs is that they are desperate enough to do that. The working adults we encountered were atrocious! They either treated us as invisible or were rude towards us. What's wrong with saying,"No, thank you." with a smile? I felt so ostracized.
I saw another incident like this at a hawker centre. There were a few cripples selling tissue paper to the customers. A working lady who was well-dressed snubbed one of the cripples. She could have been polite in her rejection. She blinked at him in an irritated and condescending manner, which was totally uncalled for. I was so disgusted with her.
Having access to education and a stable income don't entitle one to such arrogance. Yes, some people are less fortunate but that doesn't mean they deserve such reactions! They didn't ask to be in such circumstances. If people could just put themselves in others' shoes, the world would be a much better place than it is now!
As Joan Teng mentioned in her letter to Today, "some people lack respect for those we think are inferior or less educated than us....some Singaporeans have preconceptions of those who work in the service or food industry - that they are not on par socially with those who require the service."
It's just mere subjectivity really. We can be so adamant in our viewpoints that we fail to be open to the truth. We don't want to admit we're wrong out of pride and prejudice (sounds familiar?).
Who is the inferior or less educated person here? Those who look down on others in blue-collar jobs are really the ones. Having a higher wage doesn't make one king over all. They are narrow-minded and confine their perspectives to their own self-made truths. That's really choosing to be less educated.
I had helped a friend to distribute leaflets at City Hall MRT Station. The normal perception of people with such jobs is that they are desperate enough to do that. The working adults we encountered were atrocious! They either treated us as invisible or were rude towards us. What's wrong with saying,"No, thank you." with a smile? I felt so ostracized.
I saw another incident like this at a hawker centre. There were a few cripples selling tissue paper to the customers. A working lady who was well-dressed snubbed one of the cripples. She could have been polite in her rejection. She blinked at him in an irritated and condescending manner, which was totally uncalled for. I was so disgusted with her.
Having access to education and a stable income don't entitle one to such arrogance. Yes, some people are less fortunate but that doesn't mean they deserve such reactions! They didn't ask to be in such circumstances. If people could just put themselves in others' shoes, the world would be a much better place than it is now!
As Joan Teng mentioned in her letter to Today, "some people lack respect for those we think are inferior or less educated than us....some Singaporeans have preconceptions of those who work in the service or food industry - that they are not on par socially with those who require the service."
It's just mere subjectivity really. We can be so adamant in our viewpoints that we fail to be open to the truth. We don't want to admit we're wrong out of pride and prejudice (sounds familiar?).
Who is the inferior or less educated person here? Those who look down on others in blue-collar jobs are really the ones. Having a higher wage doesn't make one king over all. They are narrow-minded and confine their perspectives to their own self-made truths. That's really choosing to be less educated.
My school days
Siva Choy wrote an article in Sunday's The New Paper on his days as a student. He mentioned that before schools used white boards in the classrooms, they used blackboards. That evoked nostalgia in my mind.
I do hate the sound of the chalk "squeak(ing) at a certain sharp pitch". Each time the teacher accidentally did that, my insides just cringed and my shoulders just involuntarily shuddered. Also, I remember the chalk "dust clouds" being emitted into the air when the class monitors quickly erased the writing on the blackboard and removed the dust from the dusters. You could really see white "smoke" in the air surrounding the board! I have an unexplained fetish for looking at boards being cleaned as well!
When I was in Sec 1, I was yakking away with my classmates and my form teacher threw a piece of chalk at me in an exasperated attempt to shut me up. As a relief teacher, I had to endure chalk dust on my tops and my fingers while teaching and chalks breaking when I pressed them too hard while writing on the board. It was also a juggling act having to draw lines with a chalk in one hand and an enormous wooden ruler used by only teachers in the other! I was also made to look foolish when my writing slanted as I wrote on the board! Oh, the memories to do with the blackboard that I have stored within me!
He also mentioned class monitors helping teachers with various tasks like carrying their books. I remember some really sweet girls volunteering to carry my books when I was a relief teacher. God bless their thoughtful hearts!
He briefly chronicled the different types of writing tools for learning. I imagine how the people of long ago wrote in their books. The Chinese used brushes dipped in ink to write their characters while the Westerners used pens made with quill feathers dipped in ink to write. Technology has certainly come a long way since then.
The progression for us students was from pencils to pens. I remember being allowed to use the latter only when I reached P4. It was "a milestone in growing up" for me too. I felt like an adult then. One of the first brands of pens I used was Kilometrico but Zebra brand is still my favourite one.
From the old-fashioned ways of writing, typewriters and PCs then sprouted up. My first real attempt at using a typewriter occurred during my first temporary job, which included clerical work. My boss had to teach me how to use it from scratch! I learnt how to master the usage of the computer in another job and those skills have stood me in good stead even till now.
I do hate the sound of the chalk "squeak(ing) at a certain sharp pitch". Each time the teacher accidentally did that, my insides just cringed and my shoulders just involuntarily shuddered. Also, I remember the chalk "dust clouds" being emitted into the air when the class monitors quickly erased the writing on the blackboard and removed the dust from the dusters. You could really see white "smoke" in the air surrounding the board! I have an unexplained fetish for looking at boards being cleaned as well!
When I was in Sec 1, I was yakking away with my classmates and my form teacher threw a piece of chalk at me in an exasperated attempt to shut me up. As a relief teacher, I had to endure chalk dust on my tops and my fingers while teaching and chalks breaking when I pressed them too hard while writing on the board. It was also a juggling act having to draw lines with a chalk in one hand and an enormous wooden ruler used by only teachers in the other! I was also made to look foolish when my writing slanted as I wrote on the board! Oh, the memories to do with the blackboard that I have stored within me!
He also mentioned class monitors helping teachers with various tasks like carrying their books. I remember some really sweet girls volunteering to carry my books when I was a relief teacher. God bless their thoughtful hearts!
He briefly chronicled the different types of writing tools for learning. I imagine how the people of long ago wrote in their books. The Chinese used brushes dipped in ink to write their characters while the Westerners used pens made with quill feathers dipped in ink to write. Technology has certainly come a long way since then.
The progression for us students was from pencils to pens. I remember being allowed to use the latter only when I reached P4. It was "a milestone in growing up" for me too. I felt like an adult then. One of the first brands of pens I used was Kilometrico but Zebra brand is still my favourite one.
From the old-fashioned ways of writing, typewriters and PCs then sprouted up. My first real attempt at using a typewriter occurred during my first temporary job, which included clerical work. My boss had to teach me how to use it from scratch! I learnt how to master the usage of the computer in another job and those skills have stood me in good stead even till now.
The China Girl
People from China have assimilated themselves into our society very well. They study in our schools, take up residence and employment in our estates and contribute a colourful as well as diversified presence to our country. Their recognizable acccents ring in our ears as we interact with them. Their Oriental looks permeate the streets we walk on.
Some unfortunate souls have made headlines in a tragic way. Huang Na, for instance, fell prey to victimization at a young and innocent age.
An article in The New Paper gave pointers on how to recognise the China Girl. After reading it, though the pointers were authentic, having been provided by a lady from China, I feel that they are just stereotypes. Some Singaporeans, myself included, do exhibit these features and mannerisms too.
China girls tie up their hair, unlike local girls who wear their hair long. I tie up my hair practically all the time. They wear looser clothes and dress casually, unlike locals who wear tighter ones. I wear looser tops and dress casually as well.
Also, they don't put on too much makeup unlike locals who put on thicker makeup. I barely put on any makeup because it clogs the skin and the 'natural look' is really makeup put on to LOOK natural, which is ironic in itself! They talk louder and gesticulate a lot. Some Singaporean girls, especially teenagers, speak so loudly that they become a nuisance to passers-by, more than I do while gesticulating a lot too.
Some unfortunate souls have made headlines in a tragic way. Huang Na, for instance, fell prey to victimization at a young and innocent age.
An article in The New Paper gave pointers on how to recognise the China Girl. After reading it, though the pointers were authentic, having been provided by a lady from China, I feel that they are just stereotypes. Some Singaporeans, myself included, do exhibit these features and mannerisms too.
China girls tie up their hair, unlike local girls who wear their hair long. I tie up my hair practically all the time. They wear looser clothes and dress casually, unlike locals who wear tighter ones. I wear looser tops and dress casually as well.
Also, they don't put on too much makeup unlike locals who put on thicker makeup. I barely put on any makeup because it clogs the skin and the 'natural look' is really makeup put on to LOOK natural, which is ironic in itself! They talk louder and gesticulate a lot. Some Singaporean girls, especially teenagers, speak so loudly that they become a nuisance to passers-by, more than I do while gesticulating a lot too.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Who ever thought that Singaporeans are bad in English is terribly wrong!
Writing tests conducted by the University of New South Wales have proven that we spell better than Australians. It gives me such sheer pleasure to know this, as a Singaporean.
Words like chaotic, laborious, dilemma, perceive, voyage, actions, appearance, camouflage, disappeared, frightening, muscular and predators were on the list.
This ability is attributed to the "drill" method we use in learning and even local academic material print words that we should know how to spell. Our counterpart however, gets their students to "read" and pronounce. Spelling does require memory.
We have also clinched four of the top positions in the Royal Commonwealth Society's essay competition. Our command of English "trumps even native speakers from the United Kingdom." This is the third year, incidentally.We have been given the greatest number of awards out of all the participating countries as a result. So there.
Words like chaotic, laborious, dilemma, perceive, voyage, actions, appearance, camouflage, disappeared, frightening, muscular and predators were on the list.
This ability is attributed to the "drill" method we use in learning and even local academic material print words that we should know how to spell. Our counterpart however, gets their students to "read" and pronounce. Spelling does require memory.
We have also clinched four of the top positions in the Royal Commonwealth Society's essay competition. Our command of English "trumps even native speakers from the United Kingdom." This is the third year, incidentally.We have been given the greatest number of awards out of all the participating countries as a result. So there.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Unnecessary whining out of self-centredness
Mock exercises have been held to prepare our citizens for any terrorist attacks waged upon us. Some people have voiced out their unhappiness at being inconvenienced by the exercises and have suggested holding them during the non-peak hours.
I've mentioned this in a much earlier entry and reiterate the fact that these people have failed to consider that terrorists will not take that factor into account when planning an attack.
"We also try to factor in an element of surprise so as to retain realism..." Having them during the peak hours is inconvenient but realistic. Period.
I've mentioned this in a much earlier entry and reiterate the fact that these people have failed to consider that terrorists will not take that factor into account when planning an attack.
"We also try to factor in an element of surprise so as to retain realism..." Having them during the peak hours is inconvenient but realistic. Period.
A 'Hall of Shame'
Noorhayati Rahamat wrote to Today suggesting a section of photographs showing people who are a menace to society through their manners. I fully agree with it. Singaporeans are known to be concerned about 'losing face' and maintaining their reputation. This fear in them should provoke them into acting with decorum around others.
Still, there is a qualm to grapple with. Remember the Hongkong Uncle incident? When it was broadcast over the Internet, people actually got so agitated over it that he was assaulted in the name of righteousness. I hope Singaporeans don't do the same.
Neil Humphreys cited an incident in London when he was still schooling. The old lady whose seat was snatched by a young girl snatched her up and berated her for being disrespectful, insolent and inconsiderate.
Yes, having the victims stand up for their own rights would be more effective for stamping out impoliteness on public transport. Age may be an issue but injustice can summon strength from within one never thought possible before. Benign by-standers would not be accused of being busybodies then. Together, we can make a difference, nationalistically cliched though it sounds.
He mentioned some forms of repulsive behaviour prevalent on local public transport. I would like to add to his list.
Steel poles are not meant for leaning on but for holding on. Singaporeans have not got this basic piece of knowledge into their heads.
Physical intimacy between lovebirds is really more private and special when displayed within the four walls of a home. Holding hands or having arms around the shoulders or waist at the very most is still acceptable. I'm not being a prude here but more consideration would be appreciated from especially the broken-hearted or unattached, before lovebirds decide to do things which offend sensibilities. I'm not speaking for myself though.
A recent article on people insisting on entering lifts despite a medical emergency team with a casualty inside makes me feel disgusted with such a selfish attitude. Where is the sense of decent sensitivity?
Of course, humility is sorely lacking when we're criticized. This couple retaliated when told to stop eating on the train by a fellow commuter. They obviously wanted to retain their 'face' when told off in front of everyone.
They were definitely wrong in this case. The commuter was doing the right thing by being so "kapo".
However, Lim Boon Hee mentioned that "too much vigilance will result in a self-righteous society where kaypohs pick on everything they don't approve of in the name of creating more civil living." It's true to say that some people may do so only to get grateful looks from others instead of sincerely wanting to right wrongs and restore a sense of decorum. We will then have to deal with the problems of complacency and arrogance instead!
There is also the issue of subjectivity involved. "Everyone has different views and standards of what constitutes acceptable public behaviour...seek(ing) to impose what each believes to be acceptable behaviour." Disunity will be the consequence, as each "self-appointed nann(y) of good public behavioural standards" strives to convince others of his principles.
There needs to be a socially accepted criteria on proper behavioural etiquette, which is again subjective in itself anyway, since the committee which comes up with it is made up of individuals with individual opinions.
Still, there is a qualm to grapple with. Remember the Hongkong Uncle incident? When it was broadcast over the Internet, people actually got so agitated over it that he was assaulted in the name of righteousness. I hope Singaporeans don't do the same.
Neil Humphreys cited an incident in London when he was still schooling. The old lady whose seat was snatched by a young girl snatched her up and berated her for being disrespectful, insolent and inconsiderate.
Yes, having the victims stand up for their own rights would be more effective for stamping out impoliteness on public transport. Age may be an issue but injustice can summon strength from within one never thought possible before. Benign by-standers would not be accused of being busybodies then. Together, we can make a difference, nationalistically cliched though it sounds.
He mentioned some forms of repulsive behaviour prevalent on local public transport. I would like to add to his list.
Steel poles are not meant for leaning on but for holding on. Singaporeans have not got this basic piece of knowledge into their heads.
Physical intimacy between lovebirds is really more private and special when displayed within the four walls of a home. Holding hands or having arms around the shoulders or waist at the very most is still acceptable. I'm not being a prude here but more consideration would be appreciated from especially the broken-hearted or unattached, before lovebirds decide to do things which offend sensibilities. I'm not speaking for myself though.
A recent article on people insisting on entering lifts despite a medical emergency team with a casualty inside makes me feel disgusted with such a selfish attitude. Where is the sense of decent sensitivity?
Of course, humility is sorely lacking when we're criticized. This couple retaliated when told to stop eating on the train by a fellow commuter. They obviously wanted to retain their 'face' when told off in front of everyone.
They were definitely wrong in this case. The commuter was doing the right thing by being so "kapo".
However, Lim Boon Hee mentioned that "too much vigilance will result in a self-righteous society where kaypohs pick on everything they don't approve of in the name of creating more civil living." It's true to say that some people may do so only to get grateful looks from others instead of sincerely wanting to right wrongs and restore a sense of decorum. We will then have to deal with the problems of complacency and arrogance instead!
There is also the issue of subjectivity involved. "Everyone has different views and standards of what constitutes acceptable public behaviour...seek(ing) to impose what each believes to be acceptable behaviour." Disunity will be the consequence, as each "self-appointed nann(y) of good public behavioural standards" strives to convince others of his principles.
There needs to be a socially accepted criteria on proper behavioural etiquette, which is again subjective in itself anyway, since the committee which comes up with it is made up of individuals with individual opinions.
Kudos to this parenting style!
Frances Ong wrote in I Say about her way of raising children. She rules out unhealthy influences like advertisements which really drain money out of consumers with unnecessary purchases and cause "slave(ry) to trends". She instills the values of simplicity and creative thinking by using the imagination to come up with games from mere household items. Less money is spent and her children's eyesight do not deteriorate due to gaming. Selflessness and consideration for others are also cultivated with the limitations and deprivations placed upon them.
"This may seem an unconventional way to raise our children but we actively choose to create the conditions for them to live in." Technology gives way to primitivity but results in spiritual and mental progress. Books, newspapers and enriching conversations are the order of the day in her household."As parents, we must ensure that...electronic gadgets do not take over our primary roles of forming a loving relationship with our children and establishing the proper values to guide them through life."
David Poh wrote in to comment that there can be benefits to exposing children to technology. He mentions that his son "was motivated to learn English as he did not understand the commands and dialogue in the (PC) games."
He also goes on to imply that initial mutual assessment of the things in life is better than letting them learn them in the wrong ways and from the wrong people. Some parents may disagree with this, saying that the best way to learn is also the hardest way. Indeed, mistakes and wrong choices do create a more lasting impact in the learning journey but what if it's too late and they lead to life-and-death situations? We're talking about smoking and drinking here.
Prevention is better than cure and preparatory learning is more appropriate when referring to vices.
"This may seem an unconventional way to raise our children but we actively choose to create the conditions for them to live in." Technology gives way to primitivity but results in spiritual and mental progress. Books, newspapers and enriching conversations are the order of the day in her household."As parents, we must ensure that...electronic gadgets do not take over our primary roles of forming a loving relationship with our children and establishing the proper values to guide them through life."
David Poh wrote in to comment that there can be benefits to exposing children to technology. He mentions that his son "was motivated to learn English as he did not understand the commands and dialogue in the (PC) games."
He also goes on to imply that initial mutual assessment of the things in life is better than letting them learn them in the wrong ways and from the wrong people. Some parents may disagree with this, saying that the best way to learn is also the hardest way. Indeed, mistakes and wrong choices do create a more lasting impact in the learning journey but what if it's too late and they lead to life-and-death situations? We're talking about smoking and drinking here.
Prevention is better than cure and preparatory learning is more appropriate when referring to vices.
Plagiarism vs tenacity and the boundaries of creativity
Dr Veronica Corna Toh wrote in the newspapers that people have survived through the ages by improving on what's existent. "That mankind imitates, improves and perfects each other's inventions to improve lives should be a celebration of man's tenacity and survivor instinct."
In literature however, this ability is seen as plagiaristic and unoriginal rather than tenacious and adaptable.
Ng Yew Hong also wrote in to comment on creativity as rampant in all aspects of education. It is usually associated with the Arts but he gives a new take on it. "Creativity is by no means confined to the arts and aesthetics. One can be creative no matter what profession he is in. In daily life, as long as we approach every problem we encounter with an inquisitive mind and think out of the box to resolve it, we are being creative."
To think that having a desire to ask questions and not be afraid of being ridiculed in the process, and stretching our lines of thinking is also being creative, is enlightening indeed! :)
In literature however, this ability is seen as plagiaristic and unoriginal rather than tenacious and adaptable.
Ng Yew Hong also wrote in to comment on creativity as rampant in all aspects of education. It is usually associated with the Arts but he gives a new take on it. "Creativity is by no means confined to the arts and aesthetics. One can be creative no matter what profession he is in. In daily life, as long as we approach every problem we encounter with an inquisitive mind and think out of the box to resolve it, we are being creative."
To think that having a desire to ask questions and not be afraid of being ridiculed in the process, and stretching our lines of thinking is also being creative, is enlightening indeed! :)
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Teachers in the news for the wrong reasons
Teachers mete out punishment according to the offence committed by their students but lately, a couple of them have crossed the line and done things that are truly uncalled for. They are more of humiliation shown towards the students.
One had banned her student from having his recess for the whole week just because he had made mistakes in his schoolwork. To ban him for that particular day on which he made those mistakes would have been more adequate. Was there a need to stretch it to the whole week? The punishment exceeds the offence committed.
Another teacher had asked her class to beat a student up. The reason was because he had not been consistently handing his homework in to her. She had even told her class that she would turn a blind eye to their actions.
This is not just a matter of giving an excessive punishment but also of imbuing the wrong values to the students. As a teacher, she's responsible for their sense of righteousness towards those around them. After all, she's one of the educators of our young and her actions have certainly caused injustice to the student who was beaten up. What if by such an order, she was goading on a fellow student's desire to get even with that particular student whom he may hate?
Sometimes I do find myself losing my sense of control when disciplining my students but I stop myself immediately when I become aware of it. It takes a conscious decision to have daily reflection to achieve this.
On the other hand, some parents nowadays can be unreasonable. They regard their children as precious gems which can't be touched. They differ from those of the older generation who left their children in the teachers' hands. Even a hit on the knuckle by a wooden ruler is seen as cruel treatment nowadays.
It's no wonder that their children turn out to be spoilt and wayward, thinking that their parents'll always be speaking up for them.
There is also a failure to understand that their child isn't the only pupil the teacher has to handle at one time.
With expectations placed on the calibre of a child, punishments inflicted on him will accord to them. That's quite a logical way of disciplining, isn't it?
A retired teacher said, "..we have gone too soft as a society and may pay a heavy price if the disciplinary fabric of the school starts to fall apart." Following the style of such unreasonable parents will inevitably lead to that.
As Santokh Singh comments, "...punish...with dignity...don't humiliate..." Explain the reason behind the punishment. "Err on the side of sympathy with first-time offenders...Punishment meted out with care and concern usually bears the right fruit." Don't be afraid to seem foolish by giving the benefit of the doubt when disciplining. It'll go a long way with students.
One had banned her student from having his recess for the whole week just because he had made mistakes in his schoolwork. To ban him for that particular day on which he made those mistakes would have been more adequate. Was there a need to stretch it to the whole week? The punishment exceeds the offence committed.
Another teacher had asked her class to beat a student up. The reason was because he had not been consistently handing his homework in to her. She had even told her class that she would turn a blind eye to their actions.
This is not just a matter of giving an excessive punishment but also of imbuing the wrong values to the students. As a teacher, she's responsible for their sense of righteousness towards those around them. After all, she's one of the educators of our young and her actions have certainly caused injustice to the student who was beaten up. What if by such an order, she was goading on a fellow student's desire to get even with that particular student whom he may hate?
Sometimes I do find myself losing my sense of control when disciplining my students but I stop myself immediately when I become aware of it. It takes a conscious decision to have daily reflection to achieve this.
On the other hand, some parents nowadays can be unreasonable. They regard their children as precious gems which can't be touched. They differ from those of the older generation who left their children in the teachers' hands. Even a hit on the knuckle by a wooden ruler is seen as cruel treatment nowadays.
It's no wonder that their children turn out to be spoilt and wayward, thinking that their parents'll always be speaking up for them.
There is also a failure to understand that their child isn't the only pupil the teacher has to handle at one time.
With expectations placed on the calibre of a child, punishments inflicted on him will accord to them. That's quite a logical way of disciplining, isn't it?
A retired teacher said, "..we have gone too soft as a society and may pay a heavy price if the disciplinary fabric of the school starts to fall apart." Following the style of such unreasonable parents will inevitably lead to that.
As Santokh Singh comments, "...punish...with dignity...don't humiliate..." Explain the reason behind the punishment. "Err on the side of sympathy with first-time offenders...Punishment meted out with care and concern usually bears the right fruit." Don't be afraid to seem foolish by giving the benefit of the doubt when disciplining. It'll go a long way with students.
Tourists are really national ambassadors and Singaporeans are 'complaint queens'
As someone who has travelled widely, I am aware that when we go to other countries, we are really representing our own country to foreigners. This probably stems from my choral roots. In the midst of performing at concerts on a major scale, we are really representing our church and religion.
I've encountered fellow Singaporeans on the same tour as I am, giving a bad name to our country. The uncouth mannerisms they display in their speech and behaviour are truly appalling. Such selfish people don't bother about the impression they portray to outsiders and instead care more about their own needs.
Yan Liping mentioned in her letter about this family who disobeyed instructions on the plane to only stand up when the seatbelt signs were not lighted up. This family defies my comments. All I can say is that with them around, I'd be ashamed to tell people I'm a Singaporean just like them. Perhaps they are taking the opportunity to break free from the boundary of rules that curtail their freedom back on mainland or they are showing foreign passengers on the plane that they've reached their homeland and are eager to go home. Are these reasons really justifiable?
GEMS is now being enforced in the sales industry but as Tiah Kiang Choon implies, customers affect the direction of this campaign. If customers think that they are everything, then they can't blame salespeople for giving them such negative attitudes. 'You reap what you sow'. It's a matter of practising empathy. The reason why salespeople give better service to foreigners is because they make the effort to be polite to them, according to Jeffrey Law. They also practise empathy. So, what else is there left to say on this?
I mentioned in a much earlier entry about this bank customer. No other customer was making a mountain as she was. If customers could just stop to think in the salespeople's shoes, they'd understand the whole situation better and less noise would be added to this already noisy world. As a former temporary salesgirl, I'm aware of how much those who work in customer service have to put up with. Such ridiculous customers just spoil their day.
Maria Fung wrote that "many customers tend to be impatient when things are slow...rush(ing) off with our goods without saying a word of thanks." Such typical behaviour is exhibited in restaurants and shopping outlets. Those who do otherwise are the minority. Does it hurt to put yourselves in the salespeople's shoes and give them more time to meet your requests, or say a simple 'thank you' to the service staff? "It is time we learn that going the extra mile in courtesy is a two-way, not one-way affair. "
I've encountered fellow Singaporeans on the same tour as I am, giving a bad name to our country. The uncouth mannerisms they display in their speech and behaviour are truly appalling. Such selfish people don't bother about the impression they portray to outsiders and instead care more about their own needs.
Yan Liping mentioned in her letter about this family who disobeyed instructions on the plane to only stand up when the seatbelt signs were not lighted up. This family defies my comments. All I can say is that with them around, I'd be ashamed to tell people I'm a Singaporean just like them. Perhaps they are taking the opportunity to break free from the boundary of rules that curtail their freedom back on mainland or they are showing foreign passengers on the plane that they've reached their homeland and are eager to go home. Are these reasons really justifiable?
GEMS is now being enforced in the sales industry but as Tiah Kiang Choon implies, customers affect the direction of this campaign. If customers think that they are everything, then they can't blame salespeople for giving them such negative attitudes. 'You reap what you sow'. It's a matter of practising empathy. The reason why salespeople give better service to foreigners is because they make the effort to be polite to them, according to Jeffrey Law. They also practise empathy. So, what else is there left to say on this?
I mentioned in a much earlier entry about this bank customer. No other customer was making a mountain as she was. If customers could just stop to think in the salespeople's shoes, they'd understand the whole situation better and less noise would be added to this already noisy world. As a former temporary salesgirl, I'm aware of how much those who work in customer service have to put up with. Such ridiculous customers just spoil their day.
Maria Fung wrote that "many customers tend to be impatient when things are slow...rush(ing) off with our goods without saying a word of thanks." Such typical behaviour is exhibited in restaurants and shopping outlets. Those who do otherwise are the minority. Does it hurt to put yourselves in the salespeople's shoes and give them more time to meet your requests, or say a simple 'thank you' to the service staff? "It is time we learn that going the extra mile in courtesy is a two-way, not one-way affair. "
Language has its dangers
A word may have certain set definitions, both literal and contextual but it can be abused in its usage, causing far-reaching effects.
Gender discrimination can be said to be attributed to it. "Men are players, women are sluts, just the way men are tough and women are bitchy." Aren't promiscuity and aggression the common language here? Why have different labels? Is it to show prowess in language?
People's perceptions of language have also become decadent with time. "Slut" is now used to tease and greet each other instead of being used in its proper meaning. People think of this word as "fun" to use. They become mean to others on the pretext of being humorous.
Gender discrimination can be said to be attributed to it. "Men are players, women are sluts, just the way men are tough and women are bitchy." Aren't promiscuity and aggression the common language here? Why have different labels? Is it to show prowess in language?
People's perceptions of language have also become decadent with time. "Slut" is now used to tease and greet each other instead of being used in its proper meaning. People think of this word as "fun" to use. They become mean to others on the pretext of being humorous.
Downloaded worksheets vs private tuition
In conjunction with the Speak Good English campaign to be held, there have been many letters and articles in the papers on the language. Colin Ong wrote in to comment on assessment books and model essay books being sold to help students master English. However, he mentioned that links to academic websites where worksheets can be downloaded for practice is more feasible than private tuition.
I'm not really sympathetic to this statement not because I'm a private tutor who does not charge market rates. My rates are rather low in comparison, Worksheets can be downloaded, together with their answer sheets but who will explain the rationale behind the answers to the students? To merely use the answer sheets to mark the worksheets without explaining the 'why' behind them is tantamount to memorising the answers to the questions. English has a wide syllabus and we can't predict what is going to be set in the examinations, unlike Mathematics where we set varying questions based on certain formulae to be memorized.
Not all parents are academically qualified in English and not all students can figure out why their answers are wrong as opposed to the suggested ones on their own, so aren't private tutors an alternative?
Besides, the answers on the sheets are suggested ones. To regard them as the sole answers would be quelling creative thinking. Private tutors can then affirm the alternative but equally good ones which students may give to the questions. This does boost their morale and enthusiasm for learning, besides enhancing their thinking skills.
I'm not really sympathetic to this statement not because I'm a private tutor who does not charge market rates. My rates are rather low in comparison, Worksheets can be downloaded, together with their answer sheets but who will explain the rationale behind the answers to the students? To merely use the answer sheets to mark the worksheets without explaining the 'why' behind them is tantamount to memorising the answers to the questions. English has a wide syllabus and we can't predict what is going to be set in the examinations, unlike Mathematics where we set varying questions based on certain formulae to be memorized.
Not all parents are academically qualified in English and not all students can figure out why their answers are wrong as opposed to the suggested ones on their own, so aren't private tutors an alternative?
Besides, the answers on the sheets are suggested ones. To regard them as the sole answers would be quelling creative thinking. Private tutors can then affirm the alternative but equally good ones which students may give to the questions. This does boost their morale and enthusiasm for learning, besides enhancing their thinking skills.
Never-ending talk on English
Paul Tan wrote that even if native teachers are hired to teach English, the local teachers' skills need to be brushed up on, since English is the medium of instruction for most subjects. A Mathematics teacher needs to be clear in her conveyance of Mathematics concepts. If more native speakers are employed to raise the standard of English, there will be fewer places for the locals and more unhappiness will result. It's quite a tough decision here.
He mentioned that the prevalence of Singlish compels foreigners to learn it so as to fit into our society. This is yet a pull in another direction concerning the justification of Singlish. It undermines standard English but enhances social belonging. The latter is the concern of especially teenagers. It is true that "rooting out non-standard languages is near-impossible", as they make up one's national identity. The best solution would be to recognise that there is a time for non-standard English and for standard English to be used. Standard English after all, does aid a sense of belonging as well, just with the world rather than with domestic societies.
Santokh Singh wrote against the idea of hiring expatriates as teachers, as they expect to be able to solely teach their specialized subject. They want nothing to do with the administrative aspects of what local teachers do. Of course we local teachers do have that same desire but it's part of being a teacher here in Singapore, whether we like it or not.
I worked in a private school as a teacher and due to our small staff number, we had to do everything from maintenance to stock-take. I'm quite sure that there were grouses in our minds but we knew that we had to do all these to keep the school up and running.
It's possible that expatriate teachers are expected to just teach academia back in their own countries but unfortunately, local teachers don't have that privilege. So in order to fulfill their job critieria as local teachers, they have to adapt themselves to incorporating these duties into their job scope. Hence the high salaries we get as teachers.
Still, I find that such multi-tasking gives us a better exposure to handling pressure. I wonder if discipline and remedial lessons aren't part of teaching though. You must discipline to teach more effectively and give remedials to reinforce your lessons, must you not?
To me, teaching is a vocation and not a job. If you really love your students, counselling stems from your love for them. You care enough to want them to be happy. I'm not looking at this career with rose-tinted eyes. I've experience to temper those eyes.
He mentioned that the prevalence of Singlish compels foreigners to learn it so as to fit into our society. This is yet a pull in another direction concerning the justification of Singlish. It undermines standard English but enhances social belonging. The latter is the concern of especially teenagers. It is true that "rooting out non-standard languages is near-impossible", as they make up one's national identity. The best solution would be to recognise that there is a time for non-standard English and for standard English to be used. Standard English after all, does aid a sense of belonging as well, just with the world rather than with domestic societies.
Santokh Singh wrote against the idea of hiring expatriates as teachers, as they expect to be able to solely teach their specialized subject. They want nothing to do with the administrative aspects of what local teachers do. Of course we local teachers do have that same desire but it's part of being a teacher here in Singapore, whether we like it or not.
I worked in a private school as a teacher and due to our small staff number, we had to do everything from maintenance to stock-take. I'm quite sure that there were grouses in our minds but we knew that we had to do all these to keep the school up and running.
It's possible that expatriate teachers are expected to just teach academia back in their own countries but unfortunately, local teachers don't have that privilege. So in order to fulfill their job critieria as local teachers, they have to adapt themselves to incorporating these duties into their job scope. Hence the high salaries we get as teachers.
Still, I find that such multi-tasking gives us a better exposure to handling pressure. I wonder if discipline and remedial lessons aren't part of teaching though. You must discipline to teach more effectively and give remedials to reinforce your lessons, must you not?
To me, teaching is a vocation and not a job. If you really love your students, counselling stems from your love for them. You care enough to want them to be happy. I'm not looking at this career with rose-tinted eyes. I've experience to temper those eyes.
Friday, July 21, 2006
Renewal amidst separation
I had dinner with my god-brother before he migrated overseas and I miss him as well as the little things about him. He used to poke me in the ribs and his way of showing pretended annoyance is also a unique thing about him. Well, I hope he is all right in Perth.
I met my god-daughter for dinner the next day and though we meet only once a year nowadays, we never fail to regale each other with our life stories. I rediscover her through her thoughts and attitudes. It is so strange how she is now so much easier to talk to and empathetic. I guess she grows on me with age. :) She was my best friend's sister to me when I first knew her. Look where we are now!
I met my best friend two days after her sister. I too, rarely get to meet her nowadays but we never feel that we've drifted apart despite the infrequency of getting together. It just isn't in our vocabulary of friendship. She is just as affectionate towards me and is still the same person that makes her unique. :) I do miss the times I slept over at her place and perhaps we may get down to it soon, when her leave starts next month.
These two sisters have only proven to me that a friendship is still secure even if there's no frequent contact between the parties involved. The degree of closeness isn't compromised. They are one of the special people in my life and I'm glad we're still one in heart with each other. :) We may spend limited time with each other but the time is still cherished because of the company.
I met my god-daughter for dinner the next day and though we meet only once a year nowadays, we never fail to regale each other with our life stories. I rediscover her through her thoughts and attitudes. It is so strange how she is now so much easier to talk to and empathetic. I guess she grows on me with age. :) She was my best friend's sister to me when I first knew her. Look where we are now!
I met my best friend two days after her sister. I too, rarely get to meet her nowadays but we never feel that we've drifted apart despite the infrequency of getting together. It just isn't in our vocabulary of friendship. She is just as affectionate towards me and is still the same person that makes her unique. :) I do miss the times I slept over at her place and perhaps we may get down to it soon, when her leave starts next month.
These two sisters have only proven to me that a friendship is still secure even if there's no frequent contact between the parties involved. The degree of closeness isn't compromised. They are one of the special people in my life and I'm glad we're still one in heart with each other. :) We may spend limited time with each other but the time is still cherished because of the company.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Monolingualism or multilingualism
Singaporeans are known to be bilingual in both English and a second language due to the education system. Some are even trilingual, in a foreign language or a dialect as well. We can switch to different languages while communicating with different people. That enables comprehensibility from others.
Koo Tsai Kee, a columnist, wrote an article about this in Today dated 17 July 2006. I quote "See how monolingualism can limit our interactions with other people?" "...expanding (one's) linguistic horizons" is the way to an increase in social relations.
Yes, though English speakers are "renowned for their inability to learn foreign tongues", Singapore is a "communication hub....in languages." We can at least "pick up functional" languages to interact with others.
Being well-versed in a language other than English gives rise to cultural closeness as well. Knowing Mandarin, Tamil or Malay enables one to have a greater degree of bonding with his ethnicity and experience the same beatings of the heart with those of his race.
Also, Latin was the language used before vernacular English replaced it and is now hardly used. More languages may very well erode with time. We should indeed prepare for this phenomenon with multilingualism.
Koo Tsai Kee, a columnist, wrote an article about this in Today dated 17 July 2006. I quote "See how monolingualism can limit our interactions with other people?" "...expanding (one's) linguistic horizons" is the way to an increase in social relations.
Yes, though English speakers are "renowned for their inability to learn foreign tongues", Singapore is a "communication hub....in languages." We can at least "pick up functional" languages to interact with others.
Being well-versed in a language other than English gives rise to cultural closeness as well. Knowing Mandarin, Tamil or Malay enables one to have a greater degree of bonding with his ethnicity and experience the same beatings of the heart with those of his race.
Also, Latin was the language used before vernacular English replaced it and is now hardly used. More languages may very well erode with time. We should indeed prepare for this phenomenon with multilingualism.
Teachers - encouragers or criticisers?
Crystal Chan wrote to the papers about how some teachers can be so extremely annoying in the way they react to their students' work. Some embarrass the students in front of the whole class. I remember being sarcastically spoken about when I forgot to bring my textbook. Was there a need to "advertise" it to the whole class? Would my classmates have wanted to know that I had not brought my textbook? It'd have been better for my spirits if she had admonished me in private.
However, I would like to jump to the defence of teachers who suspect the authenticity of students' work if it's of an unusually high standard. To be sceptical, we are firstly aware that they don't produce such quality on a consistent level and we are of the knowledge that their age encompasses a certain standard of work. To perform beyond expectations in such a suspicious manner prevents us from being open to a marked improvement in their work. We go on to wonder if someone else had done their work or at least provided the content for it. I had encountered such a case before. Of course, it still doesn't allow us to shame the student in public though. Private questioning is just as effective.
On the other hand, a reader wrote in to respond to an article in Today dated 12 July 2006 titled 'No! Not a zero please'. I'm quoting from Daniel Chan's letter to show how some teachers fail to be open in their grading of exam scripts. "A phrase or sentence may be subject to all kinds of interpretation. Must a student only interpret it as the teacher sees correct and anything else is irrelevant? Whatever happened to thinking out of the box?"
Such teachers are just being dictatorial and impose their own ideas on their students. Is that what education, is about? Aren't teachers supposed to encourage creativity instead of quelling it? This is especially pertinent to English essays, specifically expository and narrative questions. A zero should be given only when there is total misinterpretation of the question.
Another writer in the Straits Times Forum, Patrick Tan, wrote that "first and foremost, we need to stop putting them into boxes." This's so very true. Don't define the direction in which our students' creativity take. Let their imagination flow and move naturally, unless it defies moral and ethical standards.
However, I would like to jump to the defence of teachers who suspect the authenticity of students' work if it's of an unusually high standard. To be sceptical, we are firstly aware that they don't produce such quality on a consistent level and we are of the knowledge that their age encompasses a certain standard of work. To perform beyond expectations in such a suspicious manner prevents us from being open to a marked improvement in their work. We go on to wonder if someone else had done their work or at least provided the content for it. I had encountered such a case before. Of course, it still doesn't allow us to shame the student in public though. Private questioning is just as effective.
On the other hand, a reader wrote in to respond to an article in Today dated 12 July 2006 titled 'No! Not a zero please'. I'm quoting from Daniel Chan's letter to show how some teachers fail to be open in their grading of exam scripts. "A phrase or sentence may be subject to all kinds of interpretation. Must a student only interpret it as the teacher sees correct and anything else is irrelevant? Whatever happened to thinking out of the box?"
Such teachers are just being dictatorial and impose their own ideas on their students. Is that what education, is about? Aren't teachers supposed to encourage creativity instead of quelling it? This is especially pertinent to English essays, specifically expository and narrative questions. A zero should be given only when there is total misinterpretation of the question.
Another writer in the Straits Times Forum, Patrick Tan, wrote that "first and foremost, we need to stop putting them into boxes." This's so very true. Don't define the direction in which our students' creativity take. Let their imagination flow and move naturally, unless it defies moral and ethical standards.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Long Live Literature!
It was unusual to see an article on Literature in Lifestyle Magazine. Olivia Goh addressed Lit students in it. Indeed, this subject has many benefits, both hidden and obvious.
Yes, though it is full of subjectivity, this can turn out to be a saving grace in exams. At degree level, different texts can be used to answer the same essay question, as long as there are substantial textual evidence and well-constructed arguments. Lit teachers who aren't open to this when perusing exam papers have failed to bring out the very essence of the subject, I feel. This will just serve to quell the students' passion for the subject. Some have even started to hate Lit because of such demoralizing attitudes.
As Olivia wrote, Lit can "teach people how to think...shape character and impart good values". I feel sure that my emotional maturity stems from majoring in Lit, though of course the Arts in general contribute to that too. Sometimes it is at a higher level than those of people older than I am. How remarkable. Technical reading, on the other hand, can be limiting to one's inner growth and this is a danger first-world countries are in due to their expansive boundaries in education, ironically.
Most upper secondary students choose not to take Lit for the O'levels but due to the fact that Singapore's education system seems to be pushing for a wider literary exposure in its syllabuses, schools have incorporated Lit into both the passages and the questions while setting comprehension exercises for their students, thus making it a 'killer'. As a result, Lit students have an added advantage over their contemporaries. Only the former will know what the terms irony, metaphors and tone fully mean.
Lit "sensitise(s) the human mind to the living world and its complexities" according to a great critic. This affirms Olivia's view mentioned above. Readers become more empathetic to pathos and are able to look beyond superficiality.
Yes, though it is full of subjectivity, this can turn out to be a saving grace in exams. At degree level, different texts can be used to answer the same essay question, as long as there are substantial textual evidence and well-constructed arguments. Lit teachers who aren't open to this when perusing exam papers have failed to bring out the very essence of the subject, I feel. This will just serve to quell the students' passion for the subject. Some have even started to hate Lit because of such demoralizing attitudes.
As Olivia wrote, Lit can "teach people how to think...shape character and impart good values". I feel sure that my emotional maturity stems from majoring in Lit, though of course the Arts in general contribute to that too. Sometimes it is at a higher level than those of people older than I am. How remarkable. Technical reading, on the other hand, can be limiting to one's inner growth and this is a danger first-world countries are in due to their expansive boundaries in education, ironically.
Most upper secondary students choose not to take Lit for the O'levels but due to the fact that Singapore's education system seems to be pushing for a wider literary exposure in its syllabuses, schools have incorporated Lit into both the passages and the questions while setting comprehension exercises for their students, thus making it a 'killer'. As a result, Lit students have an added advantage over their contemporaries. Only the former will know what the terms irony, metaphors and tone fully mean.
Lit "sensitise(s) the human mind to the living world and its complexities" according to a great critic. This affirms Olivia's view mentioned above. Readers become more empathetic to pathos and are able to look beyond superficiality.
The English teaching debate continues
Ever since the government put the idea of employing native teachers to teach English in the pipeline, responses to it have been published in the newspapers. One gives a refreshing perspective to the usual responses of local teachers being just as good in it.
It makes people see that just as we look to China as the centre of Mandarin and employ teachers from there to teach Mandarin to our students, it's also all right to shift this perspective to the English world. I've been guilty of closing my mind to this equal perspective.
It also goes on to mention that standard Mandarin was advocated by the ban on dialect and so standard English should be similarly promoted by prohibiting Singlish. This is something I agree with. English is an international language and interaction with its speakers from other countries may be hindered, by each country's dialects, when they are included as part of communication. Accents are already difficult enough to get past in order to clearly comprehend what different speakers convey. This topic in itself is controversial. Dialects and accents give regional identity to the cultures but also adversely affect standard English.
Yet another response poses more questions to this prevalent topic. Is grammar pertinent to learning it? I did talk about this in an earlier entry. I think that the answer to this is affirmative. Without learning the proper grammar, how can we say that we've truly learnt English? We would then just be stringing words together without any coherence and the level of comprehension would be affected. Nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, prepositions, conjunction, interjections and the like not only add more colour to language descriptions but more importantly, also form the building blocks of the language and its comprehension. Hence it is essential that they are taught though they may be rigorous and boring to absorb. It is not so much the meanings of such terms that should be imparted but the examples of such terms, since it is those that are used in the communication of language.
Is a language learnt better when used as the medium of instruction? Yes, language should be used as the medium of instruction, since oral fluency is part of mastering a language. It may be initially difficult for foreign students, as the medium of instruction back in their own countries may differ but they'll gradually get better in it with time.
Does the family environment affect the learning of a language? It definitely does. I am blessed with visionary parents who instilled the love for reading in me since I was young and encouraged me to pursue this liking in the form of a Hons degree in Lit. English fills almost every part of our house on a mostly daily basis as well.
It makes people see that just as we look to China as the centre of Mandarin and employ teachers from there to teach Mandarin to our students, it's also all right to shift this perspective to the English world. I've been guilty of closing my mind to this equal perspective.
It also goes on to mention that standard Mandarin was advocated by the ban on dialect and so standard English should be similarly promoted by prohibiting Singlish. This is something I agree with. English is an international language and interaction with its speakers from other countries may be hindered, by each country's dialects, when they are included as part of communication. Accents are already difficult enough to get past in order to clearly comprehend what different speakers convey. This topic in itself is controversial. Dialects and accents give regional identity to the cultures but also adversely affect standard English.
Yet another response poses more questions to this prevalent topic. Is grammar pertinent to learning it? I did talk about this in an earlier entry. I think that the answer to this is affirmative. Without learning the proper grammar, how can we say that we've truly learnt English? We would then just be stringing words together without any coherence and the level of comprehension would be affected. Nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, prepositions, conjunction, interjections and the like not only add more colour to language descriptions but more importantly, also form the building blocks of the language and its comprehension. Hence it is essential that they are taught though they may be rigorous and boring to absorb. It is not so much the meanings of such terms that should be imparted but the examples of such terms, since it is those that are used in the communication of language.
Is a language learnt better when used as the medium of instruction? Yes, language should be used as the medium of instruction, since oral fluency is part of mastering a language. It may be initially difficult for foreign students, as the medium of instruction back in their own countries may differ but they'll gradually get better in it with time.
Does the family environment affect the learning of a language? It definitely does. I am blessed with visionary parents who instilled the love for reading in me since I was young and encouraged me to pursue this liking in the form of a Hons degree in Lit. English fills almost every part of our house on a mostly daily basis as well.
More thoughts on blogging and the Arts
In every issue of Today, Blogsphere recommends blog entries to read based on a specific topic. Also, there was an article on food blogs and they contain reviews as well as recipes. Some are even business projects to market food! Another was on the wariness of including personal details in one's blogs for fear of them being used against one's own advantage. After reading it, I checked my entries and profile to ensure I was not revealing unnecessary details about myself.
A fourth one lamented that blogs tend to be negative rather than positive in content. I did write about this in a much earlier entry. Some bloggers use the opportunity to scandalise people they detest on the pretext of venting their frustrations out and sharing their subjective thoughts. This article only serves to affirm what I had mentioned earlier. Still, there are blogs that are positive in nature. A photographer used his blog to highlight the plight of a sick girl who needed financial aid. True enough, funds were raised for her to enable her to go for her operation. Blogs are powerful but it's really how one makes use of them to make a difference to others.
I update my blog mainly for my students so that they can improve their English language in the process of reading it.
Singapore has become more open to the Arts as the decades pass. I'm not referring to merely movies and television programmes that are churned out annually by production houses but to performances like dances, musical concerts and theatrical productions. Even museum exhibitions are part of the menu too.
Clara Chow wrote an article in Life about including the Arts as part of parenting. Yes, children can be noisy but as she suggested, there can be time slots reserved solely for families with young children, which other countries do. Students do get some exposure to the Arts but coupled with the focus on other subjects they take, it doesn't add up to much, so what more such families?
It's so true that children have the perception that "culture consumption is an occasional excursion" because of the de-emphasis on the Arts. Somehow society tends to regard people who major in it as less intelligent. Are they really so? Such graduates exude an aura of character refinement as well as emotional maturity in their character, I feel. It's time artistic participation became "a norm".
Ultimately though, it's really up to the parents to cultivate a love for the Arts in their kids, as Clara sums up, since they are the kids' first teachers.
A fourth one lamented that blogs tend to be negative rather than positive in content. I did write about this in a much earlier entry. Some bloggers use the opportunity to scandalise people they detest on the pretext of venting their frustrations out and sharing their subjective thoughts. This article only serves to affirm what I had mentioned earlier. Still, there are blogs that are positive in nature. A photographer used his blog to highlight the plight of a sick girl who needed financial aid. True enough, funds were raised for her to enable her to go for her operation. Blogs are powerful but it's really how one makes use of them to make a difference to others.
I update my blog mainly for my students so that they can improve their English language in the process of reading it.
Singapore has become more open to the Arts as the decades pass. I'm not referring to merely movies and television programmes that are churned out annually by production houses but to performances like dances, musical concerts and theatrical productions. Even museum exhibitions are part of the menu too.
Clara Chow wrote an article in Life about including the Arts as part of parenting. Yes, children can be noisy but as she suggested, there can be time slots reserved solely for families with young children, which other countries do. Students do get some exposure to the Arts but coupled with the focus on other subjects they take, it doesn't add up to much, so what more such families?
It's so true that children have the perception that "culture consumption is an occasional excursion" because of the de-emphasis on the Arts. Somehow society tends to regard people who major in it as less intelligent. Are they really so? Such graduates exude an aura of character refinement as well as emotional maturity in their character, I feel. It's time artistic participation became "a norm".
Ultimately though, it's really up to the parents to cultivate a love for the Arts in their kids, as Clara sums up, since they are the kids' first teachers.
Prevention overrides Cure
Jeremy Lim, a frequent contributor to Today, wrote an article on saving on medical bills by taking care of our health in the first place. I agree with him because people who are financially tight will benefit more. His suggestions of awarding points to those who do, as an incentive and increasing the bill totals of those who don't, as a deterrent are feasible and I applaud him based on his age. He's only 16.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
The personality plus profile test
Took this test as part of my character analysis and here are the results:
[The Non-Choleric
42% Sanguine, 50% Melancholy, 0% Choleric, 42% Phlegmatic
What can be said about you Non-Choleric? You don't like to be in charge. You don't like to have to be right, have the final say and know what to do.]
I'm quite surprised at the proportions alloted to each aspect of character. I guess they change with age. When I was younger, my highest aspect would be sanguine but now it is actually melancholy! My phlegmatic aspect's proportion is also higher than I thought.
So in layman language, I am mostly reserved, moody and sad. This is not completely untrue, since I find myself feeling comfortable being alone, as long as I have my favourite hobbies to occupy me. I can be erratic in mood and vent my frustrations out on people. My parents are usually the unfortunate victims. I do conceal my sorrows too. I'm somewhat like Eeyore.
At the same time, I'm optimistic, humorous and cheerful. This has always been my character since young but I guess melancholy has dominated it now. I try to look for the good in life instead of the bad and I am fun to be with. I can be childlike too. I'm somewhat like Tigger.
My last aspect is one that is pragmatic, practical and realistic. I don't really work towards my dreams when reality doesn't seem to accommodate it. I doubt I'll publish my book of self-composed poems by 40. I've no inspiration to add more poems and some thoughts are far too personal as well as intimate to pen.
I guess I'm also not so emotional as before. I'm calmer and more action-based. However, this did not come easy. I learnt it through the trials of life. Perhaps I'm a little like Christopher Robin here? He always calls Pooh "Silly old bear" when Pooh gets too paranoid.
[The Non-Choleric
42% Sanguine, 50% Melancholy, 0% Choleric, 42% Phlegmatic
What can be said about you Non-Choleric? You don't like to be in charge. You don't like to have to be right, have the final say and know what to do.]
I'm quite surprised at the proportions alloted to each aspect of character. I guess they change with age. When I was younger, my highest aspect would be sanguine but now it is actually melancholy! My phlegmatic aspect's proportion is also higher than I thought.
So in layman language, I am mostly reserved, moody and sad. This is not completely untrue, since I find myself feeling comfortable being alone, as long as I have my favourite hobbies to occupy me. I can be erratic in mood and vent my frustrations out on people. My parents are usually the unfortunate victims. I do conceal my sorrows too. I'm somewhat like Eeyore.
At the same time, I'm optimistic, humorous and cheerful. This has always been my character since young but I guess melancholy has dominated it now. I try to look for the good in life instead of the bad and I am fun to be with. I can be childlike too. I'm somewhat like Tigger.
My last aspect is one that is pragmatic, practical and realistic. I don't really work towards my dreams when reality doesn't seem to accommodate it. I doubt I'll publish my book of self-composed poems by 40. I've no inspiration to add more poems and some thoughts are far too personal as well as intimate to pen.
I guess I'm also not so emotional as before. I'm calmer and more action-based. However, this did not come easy. I learnt it through the trials of life. Perhaps I'm a little like Christopher Robin here? He always calls Pooh "Silly old bear" when Pooh gets too paranoid.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
EDITOR'S NOTE
In my last note, I talked about updating the existing entries instead of adding new entries to my blog. I have reverted to the latter way of blogging since it is more practical and common.
Also, I would like to thank Hazel for crediting me with the rejuvenation of her own blog. She said she was inspired by mine but I don't deserve it, really.
The utmost credit goes to Life for without what it gives me, I will have nothing to blog about.
I also add to the list, my readers. Thank you all! Without you, I will have no motivation to blog so much and so frequently. Special thanks to Ca-l. :)
From the editor
Also, I would like to thank Hazel for crediting me with the rejuvenation of her own blog. She said she was inspired by mine but I don't deserve it, really.
The utmost credit goes to Life for without what it gives me, I will have nothing to blog about.
I also add to the list, my readers. Thank you all! Without you, I will have no motivation to blog so much and so frequently. Special thanks to Ca-l. :)
From the editor
Teachers of English
There have been letters on the distinction between local teachers and native teachers pertaining to the subject of English, in the newspapers recently. Somehow, the consensus opinion seems to be that of the latter being more outstanding.
However, I mentioned in a much earlier entry that foreign accents can disguise the lack of grammar in speech and this is not a matter of sour grapes. This view has been affirmed by a native English couple who teach in our schools. Adherence to recognized grammar laws in one's speech takes precedence over mere foreign accents.
Also, local teachers have an advantage over native teachers. They can take up the task of translating English into Mandarin or Malay or Tamil while teaching, when the need arises. This is to aid the understanding of the language for those who lack a firm English foundation in their lives and especially for foreign students who study here. Sometimes using the pure English language to teach can be a hindrance to the speed of understanding.
As a private tutor specialising in English, I do teach using this method of inter-language translation. As the saying goes, the ends justify the means.
However, I mentioned in a much earlier entry that foreign accents can disguise the lack of grammar in speech and this is not a matter of sour grapes. This view has been affirmed by a native English couple who teach in our schools. Adherence to recognized grammar laws in one's speech takes precedence over mere foreign accents.
Also, local teachers have an advantage over native teachers. They can take up the task of translating English into Mandarin or Malay or Tamil while teaching, when the need arises. This is to aid the understanding of the language for those who lack a firm English foundation in their lives and especially for foreign students who study here. Sometimes using the pure English language to teach can be a hindrance to the speed of understanding.
As a private tutor specialising in English, I do teach using this method of inter-language translation. As the saying goes, the ends justify the means.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Back on track
It has been more than 3 months since I last blogged, primarily because my IE could not open. I've been using Netscape which doesn't fully support Blogspot. All of a sudden, Firefox just opens on its own when it had problems initially.
I hope it lasts. Cross your fingers together with me and pray! :)
I hope it lasts. Cross your fingers together with me and pray! :)
Friday, March 24, 2006
Representing a role model silently determined by society
Readers write in the forum pages to express their disapproval over students behaving inappropriately in public places while wearing their school uniforms. They lament on the students' disgrace towards their schools. HOWEVER, what appalls me even more is when teachers themselves act inappropriately in public places.
A teacher insisted on some seats being assigned to her students in a movie theatre. Her reason was that they had been reserved for the children. This in itself is not really a wrong move but it was her next reason that makes me ashamed to be associated with such a person, since I teach too.
The seats were given to a group of members from an old folks' home so that their movements could be easier when entering and exiting the theatre. Instead of seeing this other perspective of the matter, she actually said she didn't bother about their welfare. She had to account to the parents of her children for trusting her to take care of their children.
Shame on her for such a response!! What kind of example is she setting for her children?? Taking care of them is her responsibility but she has probably shattered their perfect impression of her as well as the parents' confidence in her as a good role model for their children. Though she has achieved her goal of looking out for her children's interests, she has done it through unacceptable means!
As a member of society like anyone else, she is obliged to show respect to elders. They have slogged all their lives so that they can enjoy the fruits of their labour and don't deserve to be denied such opportunities by an extremely selfish and foolish person such as this!
Sometimes not fighting for rights because others are made happier is not a silly move. It actually shows a noble spirit in turn. Humility replaces arrogance and people are more impressed, if attention is sought in the first place. It is so true, Vivien Tan, that with teachers such as this, we can't blame students for behaving similarly as well.
A teacher insisted on some seats being assigned to her students in a movie theatre. Her reason was that they had been reserved for the children. This in itself is not really a wrong move but it was her next reason that makes me ashamed to be associated with such a person, since I teach too.
The seats were given to a group of members from an old folks' home so that their movements could be easier when entering and exiting the theatre. Instead of seeing this other perspective of the matter, she actually said she didn't bother about their welfare. She had to account to the parents of her children for trusting her to take care of their children.
Shame on her for such a response!! What kind of example is she setting for her children?? Taking care of them is her responsibility but she has probably shattered their perfect impression of her as well as the parents' confidence in her as a good role model for their children. Though she has achieved her goal of looking out for her children's interests, she has done it through unacceptable means!
As a member of society like anyone else, she is obliged to show respect to elders. They have slogged all their lives so that they can enjoy the fruits of their labour and don't deserve to be denied such opportunities by an extremely selfish and foolish person such as this!
Sometimes not fighting for rights because others are made happier is not a silly move. It actually shows a noble spirit in turn. Humility replaces arrogance and people are more impressed, if attention is sought in the first place. It is so true, Vivien Tan, that with teachers such as this, we can't blame students for behaving similarly as well.
Accept the ugly for your own sake, as written by Jeremy Lim and doing the right thing
Jeremy is only 15 and wheelchair bound but he has passed on to us such gems of wisdom in his articles.
It is true that ugly people abound, especially in Singapore. Our famous areas are in driving and travelling. He advocates the response of using reverse psychology as shown in his anecdote at the end of this particular article. It will achieve the aim desired for.
Also, he pushes forth the idea to treat their behaviour as transparent. Indeed, by acting oblivious to their mannerisms, we don't give them the satisfaction that they have attracted the attention hoped for in the first place. By not acting negatively towards them, we are really frustrating them and they'll cease their ludicrous antics. Sometimes nonchalance and indifference do make an impact on such urchins!
Sometimes it is so difficult to do the right thing. People make you feel that you are making an unnecessary move!
A woman in KL was trying to get vehicles to give way to her emergency situation but this stupid black car didn't and even beat her up for doing the right thing! What audacity! They followed her to her destination and demanded more from her. After having vandalised her car earlier, they even asked for compensation on their companion's injury. What boldness!
To make things worse, the police officer scolded her for being impatient as to honk at cars. What appalling behaviour! She had to send her maid who had collapsed to the hospital, for goodness sake! Does he even know what the whole matter was about in the first place? Where is the justice?! It is clearly the occupants of the black car at fault here. Hello, what was he thinking then?!
I hope the police department does something about this repulsive response from the officer. She shouldn't even bear any foolishness for acting in the way she did. She was in the right after all!
Another similar incident is on animal abuse. Rita Gonsalvez was trying to explain to a motorcyclist who had knocked a kitten down about his wrong conduct but he rode off without blinking an eye at what he had done to an innocent living being. To make things worse, the policemen she spoke to appeared indifferent to the situation.
What is happening to people nowadays? However, the burning question on my mind is really 'What is happening to figures of authority?!' Their lacklustre response is really repulsive! They've betrayed people's perception of their goodness, justice and righteousness!
It is true that ugly people abound, especially in Singapore. Our famous areas are in driving and travelling. He advocates the response of using reverse psychology as shown in his anecdote at the end of this particular article. It will achieve the aim desired for.
Also, he pushes forth the idea to treat their behaviour as transparent. Indeed, by acting oblivious to their mannerisms, we don't give them the satisfaction that they have attracted the attention hoped for in the first place. By not acting negatively towards them, we are really frustrating them and they'll cease their ludicrous antics. Sometimes nonchalance and indifference do make an impact on such urchins!
Sometimes it is so difficult to do the right thing. People make you feel that you are making an unnecessary move!
A woman in KL was trying to get vehicles to give way to her emergency situation but this stupid black car didn't and even beat her up for doing the right thing! What audacity! They followed her to her destination and demanded more from her. After having vandalised her car earlier, they even asked for compensation on their companion's injury. What boldness!
To make things worse, the police officer scolded her for being impatient as to honk at cars. What appalling behaviour! She had to send her maid who had collapsed to the hospital, for goodness sake! Does he even know what the whole matter was about in the first place? Where is the justice?! It is clearly the occupants of the black car at fault here. Hello, what was he thinking then?!
I hope the police department does something about this repulsive response from the officer. She shouldn't even bear any foolishness for acting in the way she did. She was in the right after all!
Another similar incident is on animal abuse. Rita Gonsalvez was trying to explain to a motorcyclist who had knocked a kitten down about his wrong conduct but he rode off without blinking an eye at what he had done to an innocent living being. To make things worse, the policemen she spoke to appeared indifferent to the situation.
What is happening to people nowadays? However, the burning question on my mind is really 'What is happening to figures of authority?!' Their lacklustre response is really repulsive! They've betrayed people's perception of their goodness, justice and righteousness!
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Students' lives just seem to get worse and falling into temptation
Long gone are the days when students can just go back home after school to play, like things were when I was in primary school. Even the primary school kids nowadays, granted it's the upper-primary ones, have to meet ridiculously tight deadlines on their homework. One can imagine how much more homework the secondary school students are thrown, with double the number of subjects to take. The situation worsens for A'level and poly students. Once they hit uni level, they'll become full-fledged zombies!
With glamour comes responsibility. Those on scholarships and bursaries aren't spared such pressure but are fed even more! They have to meet higher expectations with more subjects to take and more difficult standards to attain. Education then becomes a murderer and not an advocate! Why not stop focusing on purely academia and start including civic-mindedness as well as social graces too? Yes, the latter can be an unappealing topic to students but if it's presented in a fun and interesting manner, this just may do the trick!
There is a danger in leaving teenagers alone as parents. Hence I can understand why the curfew is imposed on them. They obviously don't realise the negative implications and just want personal freedom. With this negligence comes juvenile delinquency and teenage crime increases.
Once they are left alone and come together, especially in a social setting, they do things that cause repulse in observers. They abuse the trust given unto them, if any, and fall prey to temptation presented in such opportunities. They let themselves loose and unleash their wild and uncontrolled side. Alcoholism, vanity, flirtation and raunchiness abound. What's more disgusting is that they are underaged!!
The test of a true character is someone who is able to resist such temptations, even if they are not underaged. I'm so ashamed to say that boys do a better job at that and I'm a girl. If they think that this means looking 'cool', then they are so wrong, because it just makes them look 'loose' instead!
I'm not sorry for saying all these because it happened in front of my eyes. Of course, not all teenagers are that ill-disciplined and untamed but those few that I saw are enough to repulse me. Though I know these people, I'm not sorry to offend them should they read this because I'm commenting in the capacity of an adult here and they know it.
With glamour comes responsibility. Those on scholarships and bursaries aren't spared such pressure but are fed even more! They have to meet higher expectations with more subjects to take and more difficult standards to attain. Education then becomes a murderer and not an advocate! Why not stop focusing on purely academia and start including civic-mindedness as well as social graces too? Yes, the latter can be an unappealing topic to students but if it's presented in a fun and interesting manner, this just may do the trick!
There is a danger in leaving teenagers alone as parents. Hence I can understand why the curfew is imposed on them. They obviously don't realise the negative implications and just want personal freedom. With this negligence comes juvenile delinquency and teenage crime increases.
Once they are left alone and come together, especially in a social setting, they do things that cause repulse in observers. They abuse the trust given unto them, if any, and fall prey to temptation presented in such opportunities. They let themselves loose and unleash their wild and uncontrolled side. Alcoholism, vanity, flirtation and raunchiness abound. What's more disgusting is that they are underaged!!
The test of a true character is someone who is able to resist such temptations, even if they are not underaged. I'm so ashamed to say that boys do a better job at that and I'm a girl. If they think that this means looking 'cool', then they are so wrong, because it just makes them look 'loose' instead!
I'm not sorry for saying all these because it happened in front of my eyes. Of course, not all teenagers are that ill-disciplined and untamed but those few that I saw are enough to repulse me. Though I know these people, I'm not sorry to offend them should they read this because I'm commenting in the capacity of an adult here and they know it.
Monday, March 20, 2006
abundance vs lack and definite invasion of dignity
There was an article in the papers about Zimbabwe's women having to use newspapers and tree bark as sanitary towels. I was shocked upon reading it.
We in Singapore have different types of such products for different days of the process. I myself, get 3-4 variations and we would usually feel uncomfortable without them with us, when the need arises. A temporary measure of tissue wouldn't reduce the discomfort and there are worse situations out there due to poverty.
I hope this situation improves drastically as there is a great need to. It affects me because I'm a woman myself and can sympathise with those in Africa. This will affect their health due to the bacterial nature of the materials used and yet they have no other alternatives to turn to.
On my side, I know I've to cherish the peace and prosperity Singapore offers. They come from good government leaders bestowed by God.
Another article mentioned male perverts taking pictures of women's chests with their camera phones, in the MRT trains. That is not only an invasion of personal privacy but also a degradation of dignity towards the women! Their bodies are objectified and seen with sexual lust. Even when the women block their chests with their belongings, this doesn't daunt the men from continuing. They still shamelessly shift themselves to get a clearer view.
I am really angry and disgusted with these idle troublemakers. I think I will stare bravely and angrily at the perpetrator. There are so many other people around and I doubt he'd dare do anything explicit to me. I'll also note his appearance and dressing in order to report him to the MRT staff after alighting.
We in Singapore have different types of such products for different days of the process. I myself, get 3-4 variations and we would usually feel uncomfortable without them with us, when the need arises. A temporary measure of tissue wouldn't reduce the discomfort and there are worse situations out there due to poverty.
I hope this situation improves drastically as there is a great need to. It affects me because I'm a woman myself and can sympathise with those in Africa. This will affect their health due to the bacterial nature of the materials used and yet they have no other alternatives to turn to.
On my side, I know I've to cherish the peace and prosperity Singapore offers. They come from good government leaders bestowed by God.
Another article mentioned male perverts taking pictures of women's chests with their camera phones, in the MRT trains. That is not only an invasion of personal privacy but also a degradation of dignity towards the women! Their bodies are objectified and seen with sexual lust. Even when the women block their chests with their belongings, this doesn't daunt the men from continuing. They still shamelessly shift themselves to get a clearer view.
I am really angry and disgusted with these idle troublemakers. I think I will stare bravely and angrily at the perpetrator. There are so many other people around and I doubt he'd dare do anything explicit to me. I'll also note his appearance and dressing in order to report him to the MRT staff after alighting.
Raising funds through dangerous stunts
Many people died while pulling some vehicles in order to raise funds for a hospital. This made me reflect on the rationale behind such a charitable intention.
Doing ordinary things like singing, dancing or acting will not get the donations pouring in unlike stunts that endanger oneself, unless the celebrity is really prominent. Is it the thrill of seeing people jeopardise themselves and appearing noble in the process? Do the reactions of gnashing one's teeth and biting one's nails at such painstaking acts stimulate one's generosity much more? Why can't people see beauty in the simple?!
Doing ordinary things like singing, dancing or acting will not get the donations pouring in unlike stunts that endanger oneself, unless the celebrity is really prominent. Is it the thrill of seeing people jeopardise themselves and appearing noble in the process? Do the reactions of gnashing one's teeth and biting one's nails at such painstaking acts stimulate one's generosity much more? Why can't people see beauty in the simple?!
Friday, March 17, 2006
School Holidays...not!
School holidays are a time of enjoying outings with friends and waking up late to most students but to me, as a private tutor, it is worse than my normal schedule on school weeks, ironically.
Lessons are turned topsy-turvy and even extra sessions come into play. I'm not one who welcomes change heartily and hence have such a reaction to this occurrence. When lessons are cancelled, I leap for joy because I treasure every minute of rest and relaxation. Of course, I can't always desire this incidence though because I need to fill my rice bowl. I'm fortunate though that my family's financially well-off.
I've 10 students at present and they take up 7 days of the week. For me, this status quo remains. I need time for myself to relax and rest, as well as time for my God. Consequently, when tuition agents call with offers, I usually try to reject them.
Of course, I do get exhausted at times and that is when I do other things to take a break. I read magazines and books, watch TV, surf the net and blog.
Lessons are turned topsy-turvy and even extra sessions come into play. I'm not one who welcomes change heartily and hence have such a reaction to this occurrence. When lessons are cancelled, I leap for joy because I treasure every minute of rest and relaxation. Of course, I can't always desire this incidence though because I need to fill my rice bowl. I'm fortunate though that my family's financially well-off.
I've 10 students at present and they take up 7 days of the week. For me, this status quo remains. I need time for myself to relax and rest, as well as time for my God. Consequently, when tuition agents call with offers, I usually try to reject them.
Of course, I do get exhausted at times and that is when I do other things to take a break. I read magazines and books, watch TV, surf the net and blog.
Knowledge - cynical and impure at times
Being highly educated can blind you to the joy of giving to others. It is more disturbing when your faith is subdued by self-interests. When we volunteer to serve others and make their time fruitful, there's indeed nothing in it for us but doesn't God deserve all the glory and every credit? "We are in the world but not of the world". Doing things just to benefit oneself is avarice and self-glorification. Heavenly recognition is the focus, not worldly praise.
Sad to say, adults tend to fall prey to such greed. They've been engulfed by the world's values that they fail to see that giving is happier than receiving.
Yes, the world remembers only one's flaws and mistakes despite the presence of goodness. Thus cynicism develops. I sympathise but at the same time, I can't empathise. I still feel affected by it.
Also, one tends to lose simplicity and innocence due to the same reason. A word can be mentioned for its basic meaning but adults' decadent thoughts twist its meaning into another. Repulsive connotations emerge.
Children are still pure at a young age and there's no need to worry that they'll be exposed to such things yet. Making a big deal out of it actually evokes their curiosity and imputes the knowledge of a deeper meaning to the basically harmless definition of the word. Really annoying!
On the contrary, their television habits should be something parents worry about. They imitate what they see on the programmes, without knowing what consequences result and the morality of it. Cartoons are not safe from this and their media form makes things appear even more harmless. South Park is one example.
Sad to say, adults tend to fall prey to such greed. They've been engulfed by the world's values that they fail to see that giving is happier than receiving.
Yes, the world remembers only one's flaws and mistakes despite the presence of goodness. Thus cynicism develops. I sympathise but at the same time, I can't empathise. I still feel affected by it.
Also, one tends to lose simplicity and innocence due to the same reason. A word can be mentioned for its basic meaning but adults' decadent thoughts twist its meaning into another. Repulsive connotations emerge.
Children are still pure at a young age and there's no need to worry that they'll be exposed to such things yet. Making a big deal out of it actually evokes their curiosity and imputes the knowledge of a deeper meaning to the basically harmless definition of the word. Really annoying!
On the contrary, their television habits should be something parents worry about. They imitate what they see on the programmes, without knowing what consequences result and the morality of it. Cartoons are not safe from this and their media form makes things appear even more harmless. South Park is one example.
Blackout!
I was blogging halfway when suddenly without warning, there was a short circuit and the whole house plunged into utter darkness. My first instinct was to go to the switchboard to turn on the supply but even that didn't work. It was in the night and so the darkness seemed darker, though it was probably a visual illusion.
After calling my neighbour, he helped us to restore the power and the house was flooded with much welcomed light again.
Upon reflection, I thank my friend who helped me to buy my handphone. He knows best about these kind of things and got me a simple yet user-friendly model. At the same time, it's uncommon here and so I feel elite. :P It has a flashlight and that was so very useful during the blackout, as we had only one torchlight working then.
After getting the electrician to come down to check, we discovered that everything in the house was working fine. We couldn't figure out what had caused the blackout.
After calling my neighbour, he helped us to restore the power and the house was flooded with much welcomed light again.
Upon reflection, I thank my friend who helped me to buy my handphone. He knows best about these kind of things and got me a simple yet user-friendly model. At the same time, it's uncommon here and so I feel elite. :P It has a flashlight and that was so very useful during the blackout, as we had only one torchlight working then.
After getting the electrician to come down to check, we discovered that everything in the house was working fine. We couldn't figure out what had caused the blackout.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Finally! Thank you Frances!
I can resume my blogging! Long life be to Frances! She helped me to fix Internet Explorer, which supports Blogspot.
I was so deprived of blogging on whatever evokes thoughts in me. Even my faithful fans (alliteration!) were complaining that my blog was 'swimming in dust'. They got fed up of seeing the same old entry. Now I can account to them and finish up a draft on my travels! Yeh!
Sorry, all you out there, especially to Carol, who has been badgering me on when I can update my blog, for giving you such stagnancy. I'm back now! Vroom vroom!
I was so deprived of blogging on whatever evokes thoughts in me. Even my faithful fans (alliteration!) were complaining that my blog was 'swimming in dust'. They got fed up of seeing the same old entry. Now I can account to them and finish up a draft on my travels! Yeh!
Sorry, all you out there, especially to Carol, who has been badgering me on when I can update my blog, for giving you such stagnancy. I'm back now! Vroom vroom!
Monday, January 23, 2006
Chinese New Year is coming......
An aspect of the Chinese New Year is the all-important reunion dinner. It is usually to be held on the eve of the New Year season but due to travel or work reasons, some families hold it before the eve. I just had mine 2 days ago since I'm going to be away during the period.
Some people feel that having it before the eve is not proper but to me, it's more of the fact that every family member alive gets together to enjoy the time shared. It's just like having Valentine's Day every day instead of just that one special day. It makes more sense to show love to your partner every day than to quarrel with him every other day except Valentine's Day, doesn't it?
There's also a debate between home-cooked food or takeaway food for the dinner. Does takeaway food make the dinner any less real? It's not the date or the food that matters but the concept of the word "family", I feel. Yes, cooking is a labour of love but if certain reasons cause us not to be able to have home-cooked dishes, the reunion dinner can still go on even if we have to eat takeaway food, or eat out, for that matter.
There are various reasons why people like Chinese New Year. Some look forward to the long break from work while some relish the experience of being with relatives. Some are into the cultural aspect of the season, which is an interesting opinion. There are people who feel the opposite. They detest the rituals and customs associated with the season, which present trouble for those who follow these traditions.
I love to read about the symbolism linked to the festival, about why we eat or do certain things. It is exciting to know more about the reasons behind what we do in preparation for the season. :) It makes them seem more significant when we carry them out.
Some people choose to go overseas during the New Year, primarily to avoid visitors. I do empathise with swinging singles who hate their relatives and friends asking when they are going to get married and thus decide to go abroad. I had a taste of this at my brother's wedding and I told them that it'd happen a decade later. Now the time's almost up but I seriously don't care about their reaction because it's my life and my problem. Period.
Some families travel abroad so that their long-standing feud with their relatives will not be any worse. They want to avoid seeing certain people and this gives them a chance to relax at the same time. On the other hand, some travel to be with their relatives who live overseas.
I think it's really the right of the families or individuals to decide to travel for negative reasons. People who are not in the knowing should not comment on or judge them but should use their free time to do other more worthwhile things instead.
Some people feel that having it before the eve is not proper but to me, it's more of the fact that every family member alive gets together to enjoy the time shared. It's just like having Valentine's Day every day instead of just that one special day. It makes more sense to show love to your partner every day than to quarrel with him every other day except Valentine's Day, doesn't it?
There's also a debate between home-cooked food or takeaway food for the dinner. Does takeaway food make the dinner any less real? It's not the date or the food that matters but the concept of the word "family", I feel. Yes, cooking is a labour of love but if certain reasons cause us not to be able to have home-cooked dishes, the reunion dinner can still go on even if we have to eat takeaway food, or eat out, for that matter.
There are various reasons why people like Chinese New Year. Some look forward to the long break from work while some relish the experience of being with relatives. Some are into the cultural aspect of the season, which is an interesting opinion. There are people who feel the opposite. They detest the rituals and customs associated with the season, which present trouble for those who follow these traditions.
I love to read about the symbolism linked to the festival, about why we eat or do certain things. It is exciting to know more about the reasons behind what we do in preparation for the season. :) It makes them seem more significant when we carry them out.
Some people choose to go overseas during the New Year, primarily to avoid visitors. I do empathise with swinging singles who hate their relatives and friends asking when they are going to get married and thus decide to go abroad. I had a taste of this at my brother's wedding and I told them that it'd happen a decade later. Now the time's almost up but I seriously don't care about their reaction because it's my life and my problem. Period.
Some families travel abroad so that their long-standing feud with their relatives will not be any worse. They want to avoid seeing certain people and this gives them a chance to relax at the same time. On the other hand, some travel to be with their relatives who live overseas.
I think it's really the right of the families or individuals to decide to travel for negative reasons. People who are not in the knowing should not comment on or judge them but should use their free time to do other more worthwhile things instead.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Age is really just a number
I was at a bank when the banker asked me for my age with regards to standard procedures associated with the transaction I was doing. He thought I was still a student. When I told him my age, he was flabbergasted and remarked that I don't look my age. It may have been because of my dressing that day but I was still flattered because his reaction indicated a compliment. :P
Really, age is just a number because youths can think maturely but adults can think childishly, including yours truly. It depends on their family background and environment. I think suffering can strengthen character and refine thoughts.
Yes, I'm blessed with a youthful appearance, I admit. Still, I think external appearances can work against oneself. It is such a prevalent thing for youths to dress glamorously at Christmas, which actually makes them look older than their age, not mature as they want to be thought as.
As for me, I was really put off by the security guards at the entrance of Melbourne's Crown Casino. Though they were just doing their job, they asked me twice if I was bluffing about my age even though they had my passport! I am never stepping into there ever again!
I guess women at my age dress in coordinated suits and wear makeup as well as let their hair down. I don't do any of those. Hehe. Still, appearance doesn't bring out one's age. It can be used to one's advantage instead. No, I'm not defending myself. It's really what's in our mind and heart that matters.
Really, age is just a number because youths can think maturely but adults can think childishly, including yours truly. It depends on their family background and environment. I think suffering can strengthen character and refine thoughts.
Yes, I'm blessed with a youthful appearance, I admit. Still, I think external appearances can work against oneself. It is such a prevalent thing for youths to dress glamorously at Christmas, which actually makes them look older than their age, not mature as they want to be thought as.
As for me, I was really put off by the security guards at the entrance of Melbourne's Crown Casino. Though they were just doing their job, they asked me twice if I was bluffing about my age even though they had my passport! I am never stepping into there ever again!
I guess women at my age dress in coordinated suits and wear makeup as well as let their hair down. I don't do any of those. Hehe. Still, appearance doesn't bring out one's age. It can be used to one's advantage instead. No, I'm not defending myself. It's really what's in our mind and heart that matters.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Language's limitless dimensions
I was on the way to tuition when I saw and heard a girl yelling at her boyfriend. He was silent throughout her bratish behaviour. She was complaining about not getting a break and already trying her best.
Perhaps I had not heard the first part of the argument where he may have spoken but I was turned off by her. She was yelling loud enough for people to hear or else how could I have been able to know what she said exactly? She was just embarrassing herself rather than getting her point across.
Perhaps I had not heard the first part of the argument where he may have spoken but I was turned off by her. She was yelling loud enough for people to hear or else how could I have been able to know what she said exactly? She was just embarrassing herself rather than getting her point across.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Gaining attention for a petty triviality - ludicrous!
I was queuing up at a bank close to lunch time and the line was exceptionally long, also probably due to the impending New Year seaon.
A middle-aged woman came into the bank and joined me in queuing up. Her external appearance already attracted her attention from others. She spoke very loudly on her handphone in a husky-sounding voice, thus upping the attention factor on her. However, it was what she said that gained her the most attention and my extreme irritation.
She was complaining to the person on the other line of her phone about the inefficiencies of the bank's way of running its operations. She wasn't the only one in a snaking line and nobody else was making a big fuss about it as she was. People were giving her 'dirty' looks but she probably itched for them anyway. She was just embarrassing herself really.
Being directly in front of her, I was really exercising a lot of self-control. I really wanted to slap her face but only cast her 'dirty' glances from the corner of my eye. However, my face was 'black' and I looked really angry. Sometimes one knows how one looks when the feeling within is so strong.
She complained to the teller in a disgruntled tone when she reached the counter. I was shaking my head in a disparaging manner. I was so annoyed by then that I didn't care if she saw me. I may have placed myself at risk of getting beaten up by her but I am convicted that I was in the right.
Seriously, the reason why I was 'boiling' inside was because her grievance is petty. She acted as if the whole world owes her a living and gives me the impression that she thinks she's richer than the tellers, so she has the 'right' to complain.
Yes, the customer may be right but that can give way to arrogance, as in this case.
I pity her as well. She seems like an unhappy person who's bogged down by a heavy workload and lets trivialities get to her so much. She's so blind to the blessings she actually possesses, like a normal physicality and a son.
A middle-aged woman came into the bank and joined me in queuing up. Her external appearance already attracted her attention from others. She spoke very loudly on her handphone in a husky-sounding voice, thus upping the attention factor on her. However, it was what she said that gained her the most attention and my extreme irritation.
She was complaining to the person on the other line of her phone about the inefficiencies of the bank's way of running its operations. She wasn't the only one in a snaking line and nobody else was making a big fuss about it as she was. People were giving her 'dirty' looks but she probably itched for them anyway. She was just embarrassing herself really.
Being directly in front of her, I was really exercising a lot of self-control. I really wanted to slap her face but only cast her 'dirty' glances from the corner of my eye. However, my face was 'black' and I looked really angry. Sometimes one knows how one looks when the feeling within is so strong.
She complained to the teller in a disgruntled tone when she reached the counter. I was shaking my head in a disparaging manner. I was so annoyed by then that I didn't care if she saw me. I may have placed myself at risk of getting beaten up by her but I am convicted that I was in the right.
Seriously, the reason why I was 'boiling' inside was because her grievance is petty. She acted as if the whole world owes her a living and gives me the impression that she thinks she's richer than the tellers, so she has the 'right' to complain.
Yes, the customer may be right but that can give way to arrogance, as in this case.
I pity her as well. She seems like an unhappy person who's bogged down by a heavy workload and lets trivialities get to her so much. She's so blind to the blessings she actually possesses, like a normal physicality and a son.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Spoilt Singaporeans
The reactions of some Singaporeans to the mock terrorist attack exercises have left me disgusted. They request that the exercises be held at non-peak hours, not when they are rushing to work. They think the earlier ones were inconvenient. Hullo?! The terrorists won't wait till the hours are convenient for them, to strike! Such a bunch of spoilt goons! Singaporeans have everything going for them, that's why!
Don't they know that it's God blessing us each day we're safe from such attacks?! We're such a small island that can sink anytime! Even the tsunami thing was because Sumatra protected us from it.
Don't they know that it's God blessing us each day we're safe from such attacks?! We're such a small island that can sink anytime! Even the tsunami thing was because Sumatra protected us from it.
Monday, January 09, 2006
Christmas has ended
It's not Christmas anymore and we've taken the tree down. I didn't want to take it down because it was so well-decorated. My mum had redone it. It was such a waste to dismantle it.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
A mishmash of thoughts
My internet access has been extremely unstable ever since I switched network and plan. It seems that many people in the vicinity are using the same one and hence the traffic is really slow. The helpline is also never available since all the technical officers are busy. It has been a frustrating time for me and it's either I cultivate more patience or use the net much later in the night, depriving myself of much-needed sleep.
However, there was an officer who helped me to calm down a lot by guiding me patiently through the manual procedure. It was not his area of expertise but he did it so obligingly nonetheless. He shows great contrast to another who just told me she couldn't help.
My illness, which started a few days before Christmas, has developed into asthma, the worst condition I fall prone to. That prompted me to see a doctor and to get another inhaler. I was given a day's MC and spent the day catching up on my reading and sleep. I had to cancel a dinner appointment I've owed someone for a long time. She was disappointed and I hope to meet her during the weekend as compensation.
I was absolutely disgusted and irritated with this customer I saw at Breadtalk Citylink Mall. She looked like a typical tai-tai and decided to buy $7 worth of buns for a Chinese New Year pouch. When she couldn't get the colour she wanted, because she didn't read the poster properly, she blamed the staff for it. She was pacified only when they offered her the one on display. I think she was really making a big issue out of a small matter and her money probably comes from her rich husband! She showed herself as inflexible as she could've just taken another colour and 'kiasu' since she obviously bought so many buns just for the pouch! I wonder how she's going to make her family eat all of them just for her own selfish interest!
However, there was an officer who helped me to calm down a lot by guiding me patiently through the manual procedure. It was not his area of expertise but he did it so obligingly nonetheless. He shows great contrast to another who just told me she couldn't help.
My illness, which started a few days before Christmas, has developed into asthma, the worst condition I fall prone to. That prompted me to see a doctor and to get another inhaler. I was given a day's MC and spent the day catching up on my reading and sleep. I had to cancel a dinner appointment I've owed someone for a long time. She was disappointed and I hope to meet her during the weekend as compensation.
I was absolutely disgusted and irritated with this customer I saw at Breadtalk Citylink Mall. She looked like a typical tai-tai and decided to buy $7 worth of buns for a Chinese New Year pouch. When she couldn't get the colour she wanted, because she didn't read the poster properly, she blamed the staff for it. She was pacified only when they offered her the one on display. I think she was really making a big issue out of a small matter and her money probably comes from her rich husband! She showed herself as inflexible as she could've just taken another colour and 'kiasu' since she obviously bought so many buns just for the pouch! I wonder how she's going to make her family eat all of them just for her own selfish interest!
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