The airline's engineers had pumped in nitrogen instead of oxygen into the oxygen tanks meant to be used by the pilots in the event of an emergency during the flight. If the pilots had indeed used them, they would have been in no condition to fly the plane to a place where the passengers would be safe and alive.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Violence personified
A few teenagers, one of them a girl, assaulted two young siblings for hogging the game box at a video game fair. If the siblings had indeed been playing for too long, they could have done the proper thing by complaining to the staff instead of taking things into their own hand. What gives them the right to do so? Age? The siblings are merely children, for goodness sake!
The video game must be so popular that they were willing to endure assault while playing it. I also wonder if the mother had ingrained the lesson of either escaping or seeking help when attacked properly, or else they would not have given such a casual reaction to her question. Best Denki could have also imposed a time limit on customers who wish to try the game out, so that more of them can do so. Though most game stores do not do so, being the exception is fine.
The video game must be so popular that they were willing to endure assault while playing it. I also wonder if the mother had ingrained the lesson of either escaping or seeking help when attacked properly, or else they would not have given such a casual reaction to her question. Best Denki could have also imposed a time limit on customers who wish to try the game out, so that more of them can do so. Though most game stores do not do so, being the exception is fine.
The backstabbing behind beauty contests
There was a recent case in the Miss Singapore India pageant where one of the contestants was accused of violating the rule of being unmarried. She was discovered to be married. Eventually, she showed proof of having her marriage annulled. Her critics were silenced.
Such jealousy in beauty contests is not a surprise. The competitiveness involved drives women to be self-centred and malicious. It is no wonder that I know of someone who has beauty and eloquence but refuses to join any beauty contests.
Such jealousy in beauty contests is not a surprise. The competitiveness involved drives women to be self-centred and malicious. It is no wonder that I know of someone who has beauty and eloquence but refuses to join any beauty contests.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Academic qualifications are merely entry proofs
Some of the students at SJI Junior had not done very well in the PSLE Math paper and this made their parents unhappy. I feel that looking at things in the long-term future, it does not indicate that they will be failures in life.
Their Math grades may affect their secondary school postings but the school they go to does not determine their character and worth. I know of someone who went to a neighbourhood school but shone in there to hold various leadership positions. It was her hardworking and persevering attitude that got her up the ladder, even though she was in a "lousy" school.
Besides, the PSLE is merely the most basic of the various academic certificates in Singapore. It is the ITE certificate, polytechnic diploma or the university degree that will enable the student to get a good job. No one hires a PSLE graduate even if he has the highest aggregate score in the country. I think the parents had overlooked or even forgotten this point.
On another note, a university degree, regardless of whether it is a basic degree or a doctorate degree, can get you entry into a good job with a high salary and great benefits, but it is really the character and attitude that you have as a worker that is a gauge of your job performance.
I was hired to help out with administrative duties and data entry even though I am a Literature graduate. It certainly has nothing to do with commerce but what got me hired was my willingness to learn, according to what I was told. This is just one instance of how I had impressed my superior then.
Their Math grades may affect their secondary school postings but the school they go to does not determine their character and worth. I know of someone who went to a neighbourhood school but shone in there to hold various leadership positions. It was her hardworking and persevering attitude that got her up the ladder, even though she was in a "lousy" school.
Besides, the PSLE is merely the most basic of the various academic certificates in Singapore. It is the ITE certificate, polytechnic diploma or the university degree that will enable the student to get a good job. No one hires a PSLE graduate even if he has the highest aggregate score in the country. I think the parents had overlooked or even forgotten this point.
On another note, a university degree, regardless of whether it is a basic degree or a doctorate degree, can get you entry into a good job with a high salary and great benefits, but it is really the character and attitude that you have as a worker that is a gauge of your job performance.
I was hired to help out with administrative duties and data entry even though I am a Literature graduate. It certainly has nothing to do with commerce but what got me hired was my willingness to learn, according to what I was told. This is just one instance of how I had impressed my superior then.
Cheapskate workers at Shenton Way
A restaurant is offering free buffet meals to its customers out of goodwill. The owner allows them to donate whatever amount they feel comfortable in parting with. Unfortunately, his kind gesture is grossly taken advantage of. People donate $2 for a buffet that usually costs at least $20. Such cheapskates! They probably take the phrase "whatever amount you wish" literally, as if it is for a charity organization that is selling flags.
These people are mostly from the companies in Shenton Way. These same people usually spend a lot on clothes, makeup and accessories to make their working wardrobe more abundant so it is rather ironic that they can't pay $20 for a buffet, a price that is merely normal for such a widespread variety of dishes.
These people are mostly from the companies in Shenton Way. These same people usually spend a lot on clothes, makeup and accessories to make their working wardrobe more abundant so it is rather ironic that they can't pay $20 for a buffet, a price that is merely normal for such a widespread variety of dishes.
Caning in schools?
A student from my alma mater CHIJ St Joseph's Convent wrote in to comment that caning is futile because delinquency happens due to the probability of psychological problems. By administering it, one is disregarding this reason. I beg to differ.
Caning can be implemented together with counselling and may not be the sole method of handling delinquency. She may have thought wrongly that it is to be the sole method.
It may not help her understand the reasons behind the need to eradicate such misbehaviour but it is an effective deterrent against such acts. Fear is effective in this sense. This only goes to show that the school has the desire to protect their students from descending further into this regressive state. Yes, they learn best through the hard way but if they can be saved from such a painful path, out of love, the school will have done its job.
Has she considered that it can be the most serious mode of punishment to be implemented after other methods such as counselling have been used in vain? That is not taking the easy way out. It means many methods have been explored. Her argument in the last paragraph can be applied to this way of thinking too.
She claimed that many would turn immune to this mode of punishment after a while but I know that caning can break even the toughest youth when he is faced with the prospect of it. That is why our legal system administers it too. If it does, what makes her think that schools shouldn't?
I guess it's her young age that causes her to fail in considering these additional points of view with regards to this issue. My parents did this to me when I was younger and look how I've turned out. They have brought me up well and I owe my character to them. This junior of mine seems rather narrow-minded and pampered, as I have gathered from her views.
Another reader quoted from Dr Benjamin Spock in his letter about this issue. He realised he had been wrong all along about telling parents not to discipline their children. This famous child psychologist said, "We have reared a generation of brats." I wholeheartedly agree with him.
Caning can be implemented together with counselling and may not be the sole method of handling delinquency. She may have thought wrongly that it is to be the sole method.
It may not help her understand the reasons behind the need to eradicate such misbehaviour but it is an effective deterrent against such acts. Fear is effective in this sense. This only goes to show that the school has the desire to protect their students from descending further into this regressive state. Yes, they learn best through the hard way but if they can be saved from such a painful path, out of love, the school will have done its job.
Has she considered that it can be the most serious mode of punishment to be implemented after other methods such as counselling have been used in vain? That is not taking the easy way out. It means many methods have been explored. Her argument in the last paragraph can be applied to this way of thinking too.
She claimed that many would turn immune to this mode of punishment after a while but I know that caning can break even the toughest youth when he is faced with the prospect of it. That is why our legal system administers it too. If it does, what makes her think that schools shouldn't?
I guess it's her young age that causes her to fail in considering these additional points of view with regards to this issue. My parents did this to me when I was younger and look how I've turned out. They have brought me up well and I owe my character to them. This junior of mine seems rather narrow-minded and pampered, as I have gathered from her views.
Another reader quoted from Dr Benjamin Spock in his letter about this issue. He realised he had been wrong all along about telling parents not to discipline their children. This famous child psychologist said, "We have reared a generation of brats." I wholeheartedly agree with him.
Friday, December 07, 2007
An obnoxious neighbour
My house overlooks the houses along the road behind mine. I was really irritated with this domestic helper who turns her radio on very loudly and sings along to it as well. Her voice is not exactly very melodious and it is jarring on the ears. My next door neighbour nicely told her to lower the volume and she did, but a few days later, she started her nonsense again.
This time, I couldn't be so patient with her anymore and I started banging on the windows as well as on my table. She heard it and lowered the volume, as well as stopped singing. She is not in a discotheque and has to consider that there are neighbours living close to her. Some types of music sound better if listened to loudly but there are other neighbours around, to reiterate. Then I sarcastically and loudly said that peace and quiet has reigned. Just today, I had to repeat this whole exchange with her. Now there is truly beautiful silence.
Good things don't last long. I had to endure this again on another 2 occasions. Besides repeating the above actions, I was forced to make impolite comments really loudly so that she could hear me above the music. I mentioned that it was very noisy and that it was the radio as the cause. When she didn't lower the volume, I remarked that it was because she didn't understand me in a condescending manner and that she lacked courtesy. She finally got it.
This time, I couldn't be so patient with her anymore and I started banging on the windows as well as on my table. She heard it and lowered the volume, as well as stopped singing. She is not in a discotheque and has to consider that there are neighbours living close to her. Some types of music sound better if listened to loudly but there are other neighbours around, to reiterate. Then I sarcastically and loudly said that peace and quiet has reigned. Just today, I had to repeat this whole exchange with her. Now there is truly beautiful silence.
Good things don't last long. I had to endure this again on another 2 occasions. Besides repeating the above actions, I was forced to make impolite comments really loudly so that she could hear me above the music. I mentioned that it was very noisy and that it was the radio as the cause. When she didn't lower the volume, I remarked that it was because she didn't understand me in a condescending manner and that she lacked courtesy. She finally got it.
It's not always the fault of the salespeople
Liang Dingzi wrote on an encounter in a supermarket. He realised that a new salesgirl had not been properly trained by her superiors when she was clearly fumbling on the job. I do agree with his view. The management should also take the blame for her poor performance. Perhaps she was a slow learner or was not very open to the way the company did things. In that case, the company should not have put her immediately on the job or could have at least first put her with a more experienced salesperson to assist her.
In this time of Christmas shopping, customers abound and the existing salespeople will find it difficult to cope with their incessant demands. Thus, this may have been a reason to rush her into her job so soon. However, it will definitely backfire. She was ill-prepared and will not be able to be so quick on her toes as compared to the more experienced staff. Her lack of familiarity with the tasks will also cost her a level of efficiency in her service. She herself will feel embarrassed at her performance but who is she to blame her superiors for their untimely decision? They won't admit they were wrong. They have to maintain their 'face'.
In this time of Christmas shopping, customers abound and the existing salespeople will find it difficult to cope with their incessant demands. Thus, this may have been a reason to rush her into her job so soon. However, it will definitely backfire. She was ill-prepared and will not be able to be so quick on her toes as compared to the more experienced staff. Her lack of familiarity with the tasks will also cost her a level of efficiency in her service. She herself will feel embarrassed at her performance but who is she to blame her superiors for their untimely decision? They won't admit they were wrong. They have to maintain their 'face'.
Choose our heroes carefully and the benefit of writing in a journal
A poll carried out on British boys saw a quarter of them choosing footballers as their heroes rather than their own fathers. Though they gave the reasons as negligence and even abandonment by their fathers, this is still a shock.
They probably see only the good and victorious side of the footballers on television, how they help their teams to score goals and bring honour. Do they know that there is a seedy side to some of these heroes of theirs? Some are promiscuous and adulterous, being guilty of sexual assault and even rape. They make use of their fame to seduce teenage girls who foolishly fall for their charm and feel it is a privilege to be intimate with such stars. It happens even in our local scene, sad to say.
Sandra Leong introduced the art of venting one's feelings in a journal. I have been doing that since young and it is something intimate. Yes, it improves your thought processes and your ability to express your feelings, besides your language skills, but it also remains a secret between you and the persona in your diary. Some things are just too personal and private to write about in a public blog and to tell even your closest friends.
It is therapeutic in that you get to release your pent-up grievances but more importantly, as the journal is portable, you can turn to it at any moment, especially immediately after the incident has taken place. I have written in my journal just a minute after I had written in it earlier. The thoughts and feelings just keep flooding my insides....
They probably see only the good and victorious side of the footballers on television, how they help their teams to score goals and bring honour. Do they know that there is a seedy side to some of these heroes of theirs? Some are promiscuous and adulterous, being guilty of sexual assault and even rape. They make use of their fame to seduce teenage girls who foolishly fall for their charm and feel it is a privilege to be intimate with such stars. It happens even in our local scene, sad to say.
Sandra Leong introduced the art of venting one's feelings in a journal. I have been doing that since young and it is something intimate. Yes, it improves your thought processes and your ability to express your feelings, besides your language skills, but it also remains a secret between you and the persona in your diary. Some things are just too personal and private to write about in a public blog and to tell even your closest friends.
It is therapeutic in that you get to release your pent-up grievances but more importantly, as the journal is portable, you can turn to it at any moment, especially immediately after the incident has taken place. I have written in my journal just a minute after I had written in it earlier. The thoughts and feelings just keep flooding my insides....
Collision at T1 of the airport
A caller who talked to The New Paper spoke about the incident in a way which I question. He implied it wasn't a real emergency. If that wasn't, then what is? Two vehicles had collided with each other and resulted in three casualties. Is it one only when a terrorist attack or a building collapse takes place? It seems such a selfish and marrow-minded way to think.
My fanatical love for books
Valerie Tay wrote on her children falling in love with books and this holds true with me. I remember my parents leaving me at Times the Bookshop in Centrepoint for 2 hours when I was young. They wanted to cultivate in me an interest in reading and they have succeeded. I'm absolutely crazy over books even as an adult and my genres of reading have widened.
This contributes to my fluency in English and this result is what I keep trying to tell children, especially those who are not so proficient in English. They don't have to read genres they don't like. They can choose those they do like. In the process of pursuing their pleasures, they are unconsciously absorbing good language skills.
I am grateful for my parents' intention to cultivate in me a love for reading. It paid off really well. :)
This contributes to my fluency in English and this result is what I keep trying to tell children, especially those who are not so proficient in English. They don't have to read genres they don't like. They can choose those they do like. In the process of pursuing their pleasures, they are unconsciously absorbing good language skills.
I am grateful for my parents' intention to cultivate in me a love for reading. It paid off really well. :)
Superiority of nationality
Cynthia Tan wrote in and commented on some blogs written by Singaporeans. They claimed that since our currency unit is very strong, we are superior. I think that is audacious and rather ignorant to think. Currencies fluctuate with economic changes and our currency unit may just become weak without us expecting it. Change is really the only permanence in life, as Keats's Ode To Autumn implies. This younger generation is obviously a spoilt cohort.
She also mentioned how education should make a person better in character and not just in intelligence. That is so true. I know of someone who embodies the concept of education not benefitting her character. It's rather sad that this person thinks others are worse than she is when she really is. There are different ways of being calculative, really. There's a difference between being thick-skinned and being uncomfortable with expressing oneself.
She noted most Singaporeans react badly to criticism and I agree with her. I believe this person I know is like that and so I don't bother to lash back at her when she criticises me. I just don't take it to heart though it is unfair. Why let evil control you by doing the same? I thank Tiffany for teaching me this and I'm humbled as she is much younger than I am.
She also mentioned how education should make a person better in character and not just in intelligence. That is so true. I know of someone who embodies the concept of education not benefitting her character. It's rather sad that this person thinks others are worse than she is when she really is. There are different ways of being calculative, really. There's a difference between being thick-skinned and being uncomfortable with expressing oneself.
She noted most Singaporeans react badly to criticism and I agree with her. I believe this person I know is like that and so I don't bother to lash back at her when she criticises me. I just don't take it to heart though it is unfair. Why let evil control you by doing the same? I thank Tiffany for teaching me this and I'm humbled as she is much younger than I am.
A'level graduates as relief teachers
Lu Cheng Yang, the Personnel Director of MOE, is very open to employing A'level graduates as relief teachers. He was responding to a letter from Mr Fok Kah Hon who had seemed to be unhappy with such relief teachers. He mentioned that such teachers usually go back to their alma maters to teach.
I think that places them in good stead because they are already familiar with the school's way of doing things and can thus address any concerns the present students may have over it. As former students, the present students will give them more attention and hence better understand why certain procedures are carried out. Their personal experiences can be shared with the present students to better aid them in their explanations.
I have a friend who went to another school to teach after her A'levels and the students respected and liked her. Her character enabled her to create a rapport with them as well as gain their respect. To generalise all A'level graduates based on their age is rather judgemental. Some individuals stand on their own as positive models.
I think that places them in good stead because they are already familiar with the school's way of doing things and can thus address any concerns the present students may have over it. As former students, the present students will give them more attention and hence better understand why certain procedures are carried out. Their personal experiences can be shared with the present students to better aid them in their explanations.
I have a friend who went to another school to teach after her A'levels and the students respected and liked her. Her character enabled her to create a rapport with them as well as gain their respect. To generalise all A'level graduates based on their age is rather judgemental. Some individuals stand on their own as positive models.
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