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.
Friday, March 24, 2006
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!
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