1. Ladies sitting like men in public, with one leg crossed over the other leg's thigh while shaking the crossed leg.
2. Digging one's eardrums in public and flicking the contents away with one's fingers.
3. Narcissistic snapping of oneself in photos.
4. Snapping photos of one's purchases in public.
5. Taking service crew for granted and not thinking of their interests; failing to show appreciation for their efforts in attending to one's needs; making their job difficult for them; being insensitive to them and loudly commenting on their products/efforts with negativity.
6. Taking friends' feelings for granted and thinking only of one's own convenience.
7. Always being late for appointments.
8. Being picky over outing details and failing to compromise to the majority's view.
9. Verbal diarrhoea in terms of vulgarities and mere complaints without appreciating true blessings.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
SG's transport system
There have been complaints and disgruntled remarks about our transport system. I have an opposing view towards some of them. I present my opinion in numerical points.
1) Overcrowding is something normal. So is switching transport modes.
2) We don't need to deal with strikes by the staff, dirty vehicles or the inadequacy of facilities for the disabled.
3) The government is doing all it can to address these grouses. Give it time.
The latest update is that the entire Circle Line will be opening in 2 months' time. I am happy that I have more places nearer to my doorstep. There are:
1) SAM via Bras Basah station
2) Island Creamery at Serene Centre via Botanic Gardens station
3) Holland Village via the station of the same name(in case my god-brother wants to go there)
4) Colonial bungalows at Portsdown Road via one-north station(to take photos of the vintage homes)
1) Overcrowding is something normal. So is switching transport modes.
2) We don't need to deal with strikes by the staff, dirty vehicles or the inadequacy of facilities for the disabled.
3) The government is doing all it can to address these grouses. Give it time.
The latest update is that the entire Circle Line will be opening in 2 months' time. I am happy that I have more places nearer to my doorstep. There are:
1) SAM via Bras Basah station
2) Island Creamery at Serene Centre via Botanic Gardens station
3) Holland Village via the station of the same name(in case my god-brother wants to go there)
4) Colonial bungalows at Portsdown Road via one-north station(to take photos of the vintage homes)
Sunday, May 01, 2011
The ethics of teachers having their students as FB friends
With the UK article where teachers were told not to accept their students' FB friend requests, and the local article where Spencer Ng, an election candidate, faced accusations of inappropriate behaviour towards his former students, this issue of teachers and students being connected to each other on FB is a current topic. I stand by my opinion that teachers should have nothing to hide on their profiles. What I mean is, they should maintain a clean character as associated with their vocation. Why have separate accounts or restrict profile features in order to appear clean, when one is clearly dubious in character? Why be afraid of accepting their students' friend requests if one's conscience is clear?
A teacher posted her student's essay on FB and made some disparaging remarks on it. I think that defies the trust put upon her by the student when he handed in his essay. If his essay is good, on the contrary, reading it out in class or giving copies of it out to the students is a better method of compliment on it. I would still not advocate the idea of posting it on FB. I am more appalled by a teacher who made a comment on NA students on the network. It may have been meant to be positive but it can mislead people into thinking that these students are seen by him in a negative light, especially with the use of "tumours". Both these teachers should have known better that FB is a place where many people can read their posts, especially if they have not adjusted their privacy settings. They should learn to be sensitive to the feelings of their students when posting anything about the latter.
I agree with a teacher who said that teachers are "role models" and can "understand (their) students better" through FB. It allows them to create a sense of rapport with their students and at the same time, they do need to maintain boundaries with the latter, according to a university lecturer.
A teacher posted her student's essay on FB and made some disparaging remarks on it. I think that defies the trust put upon her by the student when he handed in his essay. If his essay is good, on the contrary, reading it out in class or giving copies of it out to the students is a better method of compliment on it. I would still not advocate the idea of posting it on FB. I am more appalled by a teacher who made a comment on NA students on the network. It may have been meant to be positive but it can mislead people into thinking that these students are seen by him in a negative light, especially with the use of "tumours". Both these teachers should have known better that FB is a place where many people can read their posts, especially if they have not adjusted their privacy settings. They should learn to be sensitive to the feelings of their students when posting anything about the latter.
I agree with a teacher who said that teachers are "role models" and can "understand (their) students better" through FB. It allows them to create a sense of rapport with their students and at the same time, they do need to maintain boundaries with the latter, according to a university lecturer.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Evident racism
An American uni student had a racist attitude towards Asians on her selfmade video. She was unhappy that they invited their relatives to visit them over the weekend. I find nothing wrong with that. She claimed that they have "no manners" but doesn't she also lack them through this video?
What utterly disgusts me is when she showed disdain at their calls to check up on their family members during the recent Japanese disaster. It shows her lack of compassion and sympathy. I wonder whether she would still feel ashamed at these feelings if she were in their shoes and they showed understanding towards her, which I have no doubt they would. Her reason for such an attitude is that they disturbed her studying progress. How insignificant!
Thank goodness she has decided to leave the uni. She is a disgrace to it and society. However, in citing her reasons for her move, I detect a resentment in the tone she uses. Perhaps I am prejudiced against her. I hope that the consequences of her video have taught her to respect others and their feelings in times of crisis. It is unfortunate though that her family has to bear them as well. I feel that she deserves them but not her family.
What utterly disgusts me is when she showed disdain at their calls to check up on their family members during the recent Japanese disaster. It shows her lack of compassion and sympathy. I wonder whether she would still feel ashamed at these feelings if she were in their shoes and they showed understanding towards her, which I have no doubt they would. Her reason for such an attitude is that they disturbed her studying progress. How insignificant!
Thank goodness she has decided to leave the uni. She is a disgrace to it and society. However, in citing her reasons for her move, I detect a resentment in the tone she uses. Perhaps I am prejudiced against her. I hope that the consequences of her video have taught her to respect others and their feelings in times of crisis. It is unfortunate though that her family has to bear them as well. I feel that she deserves them but not her family.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Japanese tsunami disaster
There is a reason why I am blogging about it only now. I found an article that touched me so much to do so.
Teachers are ensuring that 30 students in school are physically and emotionally taken care of, in the midst of finding their missing parents. These teachers have their own families too and willingly become surrogate parents to these kids. I guess being a teacher has had this article evoke much poignancy in me.
Then, my thoughts drift to the workers at the nuclear plant and the medical staff staying with their patients. They are making the same sacrifice to save others. This is true nobility; to place one's family below outsiders.
Teachers are ensuring that 30 students in school are physically and emotionally taken care of, in the midst of finding their missing parents. These teachers have their own families too and willingly become surrogate parents to these kids. I guess being a teacher has had this article evoke much poignancy in me.
Then, my thoughts drift to the workers at the nuclear plant and the medical staff staying with their patients. They are making the same sacrifice to save others. This is true nobility; to place one's family below outsiders.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
'Back to school'
I realise that I have been manifesting my nostalgia in reality. First, I went back to reading Chinese prose articles which I used to read in preparations for my A'level Chinese examination paper. The same enjoyment and appreciation returned as I perused the short articles of expression.
Secondly, I have again taken up the habit of copying words and their meanings into a notebook. I did it in preparation for my O'level English examination paper. Even as a teacher, I never stop learning new things. Thus, I want to note them down for future use and reference :)
Secondly, I have again taken up the habit of copying words and their meanings into a notebook. I did it in preparation for my O'level English examination paper. Even as a teacher, I never stop learning new things. Thus, I want to note them down for future use and reference :)
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Answers to Writer's Block questions
(This is based on Livejournal.)
1. If you could turn back time, how far back would you go?
Ans: I would go to either the 1960s of Singapore, when life was simpler and cheaper, or to the Regency era, when Jane Austen's characters were living and everything about their lifestyle seemed so appealing.
2. If you were a country, what would be your national anthem?
Ans: It would contain ideals of unity, harmony, peace and collective welfare.
3. If I were able to transform into any object while carrying conscious thoughts for only 24 hours, I think I would be...
Ans:...a dog. I would like to understand what it thinks and goes through, especially an abused one.
4. Was there ever a fictional character whom you admired so much that you strived to be like him or her?
Ans: Yes. The character is Elizabeth Bennet. I admire her wit and thought process in the novel, and how she ultimately learns more about herself and others, growing and maturing with time.
5. If you won a trip to anywhere, where would you go and why?
Ans: England. There are so many other parts that I want to go to, especially since it is the core centre of the literary journey I embarked on in my degree.
1. If you could turn back time, how far back would you go?
Ans: I would go to either the 1960s of Singapore, when life was simpler and cheaper, or to the Regency era, when Jane Austen's characters were living and everything about their lifestyle seemed so appealing.
2. If you were a country, what would be your national anthem?
Ans: It would contain ideals of unity, harmony, peace and collective welfare.
3. If I were able to transform into any object while carrying conscious thoughts for only 24 hours, I think I would be...
Ans:...a dog. I would like to understand what it thinks and goes through, especially an abused one.
4. Was there ever a fictional character whom you admired so much that you strived to be like him or her?
Ans: Yes. The character is Elizabeth Bennet. I admire her wit and thought process in the novel, and how she ultimately learns more about herself and others, growing and maturing with time.
5. If you won a trip to anywhere, where would you go and why?
Ans: England. There are so many other parts that I want to go to, especially since it is the core centre of the literary journey I embarked on in my degree.
Thursday, March 03, 2011
A self-imposed increase in medical costs
Dr Susan Lim has been under scrutiny by the media and the law for her exorbitant medical bills on the sick patient of a royal family. Doctors certainly have the right to charge patients for their services and medicine rendered, but they have to do so within reasonable boundaries. How does charging $400 000 for a $10 000 bill fall within the category?? To make things worse, another charge of $2 million was imposed for other services.
Granted, the royal family has money to pay those bills but the issue here is integrity and true concern for the sick, rather than the desire to make more money and in this case, to fleece rich patients of their money. Should a doctor's purpose not be to cure illness and heal the sick? Call me naive in this thinking, I am not bothered. If a doctor wants to earn more money, there are other jobs that allow these perverts to do so. It is so sad that these people are actually accepted in society, to the extent that medical school entry interviewers are nonchalant when this reason of earning money is given for the candidates' desire to be doctors. On the contrary, real and heartfelt reasons of wanting to heal the sick are seen as false and said just to impress them. What is the world coming to?!
I am not writing this entry without backup. My own doctor actually bothers to check with me if the cost of my medical bill is too high, even though my family can afford to pay it. Her tone is genuine and she does not ask me as a form of duty. She then explains to me the reason for the cost of the medicine.
I really hope Dr Lim is properly disciplined by the medical council and her medical licence be suspended for such unjustifiable costs on patients.
Granted, the royal family has money to pay those bills but the issue here is integrity and true concern for the sick, rather than the desire to make more money and in this case, to fleece rich patients of their money. Should a doctor's purpose not be to cure illness and heal the sick? Call me naive in this thinking, I am not bothered. If a doctor wants to earn more money, there are other jobs that allow these perverts to do so. It is so sad that these people are actually accepted in society, to the extent that medical school entry interviewers are nonchalant when this reason of earning money is given for the candidates' desire to be doctors. On the contrary, real and heartfelt reasons of wanting to heal the sick are seen as false and said just to impress them. What is the world coming to?!
I am not writing this entry without backup. My own doctor actually bothers to check with me if the cost of my medical bill is too high, even though my family can afford to pay it. Her tone is genuine and she does not ask me as a form of duty. She then explains to me the reason for the cost of the medicine.
I really hope Dr Lim is properly disciplined by the medical council and her medical licence be suspended for such unjustifiable costs on patients.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Degrading oneself for vanity
A student has posted topless photos of herself on the Internet in order to win a photo shoot. What is also appalling is her responses and her parents' as well.
She claims her boyfriend supports her move and he is a long-term partner. What she needs to know is that he is being the devil's advocate, pushing her towards the path of superficiality. I don't know if he will still stand by her as she loses her physical assets with age. If he can support such a thing, it serves to prove my point.
To her, this focus on her body is fun and makes her happy. I am speechless with horror. Then she says she would not model full-time because she would get bored. Such a fleeting mindset.
Then her parents say it was up to her to do what she wanted. Such a statement should not come from parents! They have the responsibility to teach morality to their children. She is only 20 and so she is not yet an adult. She is still under their authority. Their concern is only whether this move would affect her future. Such a worldly worry.
She claims her boyfriend supports her move and he is a long-term partner. What she needs to know is that he is being the devil's advocate, pushing her towards the path of superficiality. I don't know if he will still stand by her as she loses her physical assets with age. If he can support such a thing, it serves to prove my point.
To her, this focus on her body is fun and makes her happy. I am speechless with horror. Then she says she would not model full-time because she would get bored. Such a fleeting mindset.
Then her parents say it was up to her to do what she wanted. Such a statement should not come from parents! They have the responsibility to teach morality to their children. She is only 20 and so she is not yet an adult. She is still under their authority. Their concern is only whether this move would affect her future. Such a worldly worry.
The controversy of V's Day in Malaysia
I read the article with a sense of unfairness, since I am a Christian. At the same time, some of the opinions expressed are understandable because there are Christian black sheep who spark them off.
Love is associated with lust because they give in to their passions against their conscience. Their actions have perverted the true meaning of love. Premarital sex and adultery permeate even the Christian community because they don't practise their faith. However, it is very unfair to label all Christians as participating in immoral activities, partying and implied pre-marital sex. Our church teachings certainly don't advocate them. Pre-marital sex is a sin and 'indecent partying' aka clubbing is frowned upon. Immorality is definitely against our tradition. Such unproven opinions are unwelcome. The TV personality has a narrow perspective. I really hope she feels compelled to apologise to us.
At the same time, V's Day does not corrupt people. It is the choices made by individuals that give this impression. This day may have its source in Christianity but the story behind it is not filled with debauchery. St. Valentine was a priest who held marriages in secret for soldiers. The emperor had banned marriage for them due to his fear of their reduced level of commitment towards war. Perhaps these critics don't read enough on the origin of the day and thus make such sweeping statements.
I am glad the churches in Malaysia clarified this point and said that it is a secular observance not carried out by churches in the world. Thank you for clearing our name! I hope those critics feel ashamed for making such untrue statements. Then again, will they?
Love is associated with lust because they give in to their passions against their conscience. Their actions have perverted the true meaning of love. Premarital sex and adultery permeate even the Christian community because they don't practise their faith. However, it is very unfair to label all Christians as participating in immoral activities, partying and implied pre-marital sex. Our church teachings certainly don't advocate them. Pre-marital sex is a sin and 'indecent partying' aka clubbing is frowned upon. Immorality is definitely against our tradition. Such unproven opinions are unwelcome. The TV personality has a narrow perspective. I really hope she feels compelled to apologise to us.
At the same time, V's Day does not corrupt people. It is the choices made by individuals that give this impression. This day may have its source in Christianity but the story behind it is not filled with debauchery. St. Valentine was a priest who held marriages in secret for soldiers. The emperor had banned marriage for them due to his fear of their reduced level of commitment towards war. Perhaps these critics don't read enough on the origin of the day and thus make such sweeping statements.
I am glad the churches in Malaysia clarified this point and said that it is a secular observance not carried out by churches in the world. Thank you for clearing our name! I hope those critics feel ashamed for making such untrue statements. Then again, will they?
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Clubbing for kids?!
What is the world coming to? So what if there is no cigarette smoke and softer music? How much softer can the music be? Fast beats are still needed for disco dancing. It can be softer in terms of volume, yes, but not in terms of tempo. Why expose kids to such activities? Is there any real benefit in doing so? I really don't know what the organizer, who is a mother, is thinking. "Innocent fun", my foot! There are other ways to achieve this.
These activities are for those 18 years old and above. Why make the kids grow up so fast? If indeed it is "good clean fun", why hold it in a night spot? This kind of defeats the meaning of the term? I think it is more of the selfish purpose of satisfy- ing parents' own whims for nostalgic clubbing. Some kids are really too young for this and though there are kid-related activities in the event, these activities can be held elsewhere. It is the venue that is a problem. Alcohol is still available for the parents. Paying extra for it will not diminish the chances of the negative consequences related to it from happening.
These activities are for those 18 years old and above. Why make the kids grow up so fast? If indeed it is "good clean fun", why hold it in a night spot? This kind of defeats the meaning of the term? I think it is more of the selfish purpose of satisfy- ing parents' own whims for nostalgic clubbing. Some kids are really too young for this and though there are kid-related activities in the event, these activities can be held elsewhere. It is the venue that is a problem. Alcohol is still available for the parents. Paying extra for it will not diminish the chances of the negative consequences related to it from happening.
Monday, February 14, 2011
The ideal academic syllabus
UK plans to make some much-needed changes to its learning syllabus for schools. I wonder why the deficiencies occurred in the first place and am glad that changes are to be made to restore the deficiencies.
The topics to be learnt by students are monarchy history, literary works in the Canon and mental sums. These should have never left the syllabus at all. Monarchy history is part of UK's nationalism, something every citizen should know, and the literary works serve only to reinforce UK's reputation as the country best known for what literature really is, which means the works are worth studying. Mental sums are really basic tools one should equip himself with.
It seems that for more than 10 years, primary and secondary students have been studying trendy and practical-based subjects. Should not such subjects be greatly included in the syllabus for older students, say at least pre-university ones? If they have to be included at such low levels of the academic syllabus, they should consist of only a small percentage. As a result of this unbalanced focus, the lower-level students have little understanding of basic school subjects. What a tragedy. Indeed, "the existing national curriculum embodies poverty of aspiration"!
How can the famous prime minister of UK Winston Churchill be removed from the school syllabus? It is such an insult to the efforts he made to secure the country during the war.The geography syllabus includes only UK itself. It may be patriotic in nature but is limiting in knowledge. Knowing about the geography of the world the students live in will be a tremendous benefit to them.
Yes, yes. Mr Gove's statement of granting the students access to great authors like Lord Byron and John Keats, and UK's history is well-said!
The topics to be learnt by students are monarchy history, literary works in the Canon and mental sums. These should have never left the syllabus at all. Monarchy history is part of UK's nationalism, something every citizen should know, and the literary works serve only to reinforce UK's reputation as the country best known for what literature really is, which means the works are worth studying. Mental sums are really basic tools one should equip himself with.
It seems that for more than 10 years, primary and secondary students have been studying trendy and practical-based subjects. Should not such subjects be greatly included in the syllabus for older students, say at least pre-university ones? If they have to be included at such low levels of the academic syllabus, they should consist of only a small percentage. As a result of this unbalanced focus, the lower-level students have little understanding of basic school subjects. What a tragedy. Indeed, "the existing national curriculum embodies poverty of aspiration"!
How can the famous prime minister of UK Winston Churchill be removed from the school syllabus? It is such an insult to the efforts he made to secure the country during the war.The geography syllabus includes only UK itself. It may be patriotic in nature but is limiting in knowledge. Knowing about the geography of the world the students live in will be a tremendous benefit to them.
Yes, yes. Mr Gove's statement of granting the students access to great authors like Lord Byron and John Keats, and UK's history is well-said!
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
Subconscious xenophobia
A letter from a youth implied some unhappiness with the presence of foreign students in his school. I do not attempt to understand the logic behind his arguments.
He feels that having them in our schools places we local students at a disadvantage. I beg to differ. I feel that their studious attitude and their unwavering determination; quest for learning actually drives us to be on par with them, if not better. They are a motivating force, if we but see.
He points out their age as a factor when it comes to the threat they pose to us. Being older does not mean being smarter. The fact that they are put in the same standard as we are, despite being older, means they are unable to cope with the actual standard their age equates to. His assumption that they have studied the syllabus of the standard they are in, just because they are older, is definitely groundless. Admitting the foreigners to their actual standards just to ensure equality for we local students seems rather self-centred, I feel. The fact is that they will not be able to cope with their real standards as a result.
Also, their age may make them more mature but it does not relate to their academic abilities as a result. I believe it is their character and background that cause them to be studious. They know that their families have paid a huge sum of money for them to study here and so they study hard as a form of repayment. Also, their lives back in their countries may not as smooth as ours are in our country. Their attitude is a result of having survived a harsher reality.
It may seem as if I doubt the abilities of foreign students but I really am not. After all, I have tutored them. I admire them for their attitudes and I know our local students can learn from them in this area. It sure beats lamenting their presence and feeling unfair as a result. Why not also try to understand where they are coming from instead of judging them for the benefit of self?
This state of mind is also present in older Singaporeans towards Filipino maids. The latter has been in the news for blocking the pavement in front of Ion. Upon reading the article, this perception floods my mind.
The management of Lucky Plaza chased the latter off the place because it felt that they were overcrowding the place and thus being a safety hazard. Somehow I feel this reason is not good enough. They had to scout around for other places to gather at. Poor them. I abhor Kelly Chen's remark about the fact that they "downgrade the image of Ion." Ion may look exclusive with its branded shopping outlets but its management still allows locals dressed in sloppy attire to walk on its grounds. These locals also "downgrade the image of Ion", right?
I am definitely on the side of Janice Goh who cited Hongkong's similar phenomenon as evidence for her view. She even used the word "discriminate" in her statement. Way to go, girl! Also, Eileen's view is very objective. She mentioned that as long as they don't litter or block the way, they pose no problem since it's only once a week. This is the best perspective of all.
He feels that having them in our schools places we local students at a disadvantage. I beg to differ. I feel that their studious attitude and their unwavering determination; quest for learning actually drives us to be on par with them, if not better. They are a motivating force, if we but see.
He points out their age as a factor when it comes to the threat they pose to us. Being older does not mean being smarter. The fact that they are put in the same standard as we are, despite being older, means they are unable to cope with the actual standard their age equates to. His assumption that they have studied the syllabus of the standard they are in, just because they are older, is definitely groundless. Admitting the foreigners to their actual standards just to ensure equality for we local students seems rather self-centred, I feel. The fact is that they will not be able to cope with their real standards as a result.
Also, their age may make them more mature but it does not relate to their academic abilities as a result. I believe it is their character and background that cause them to be studious. They know that their families have paid a huge sum of money for them to study here and so they study hard as a form of repayment. Also, their lives back in their countries may not as smooth as ours are in our country. Their attitude is a result of having survived a harsher reality.
It may seem as if I doubt the abilities of foreign students but I really am not. After all, I have tutored them. I admire them for their attitudes and I know our local students can learn from them in this area. It sure beats lamenting their presence and feeling unfair as a result. Why not also try to understand where they are coming from instead of judging them for the benefit of self?
This state of mind is also present in older Singaporeans towards Filipino maids. The latter has been in the news for blocking the pavement in front of Ion. Upon reading the article, this perception floods my mind.
The management of Lucky Plaza chased the latter off the place because it felt that they were overcrowding the place and thus being a safety hazard. Somehow I feel this reason is not good enough. They had to scout around for other places to gather at. Poor them. I abhor Kelly Chen's remark about the fact that they "downgrade the image of Ion." Ion may look exclusive with its branded shopping outlets but its management still allows locals dressed in sloppy attire to walk on its grounds. These locals also "downgrade the image of Ion", right?
I am definitely on the side of Janice Goh who cited Hongkong's similar phenomenon as evidence for her view. She even used the word "discriminate" in her statement. Way to go, girl! Also, Eileen's view is very objective. She mentioned that as long as they don't litter or block the way, they pose no problem since it's only once a week. This is the best perspective of all.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Complacency can cause stagnancy
A scholar and an academic have warned against the dangers of national complacency. In thinking that Singapore has arrived, as a first-world country, and feeling a patriotic pride that is beyond normality, Singapore may unconsciously become inert in her development, thus allowing less developed countries to catch up with her and even surpass her.
Humility is sorely needed in order to prevent such a phenomenon. I am not being protective over my nation's developed status however. Other countries have the prerogative to improve their developed levels too and there are other countries which are more developed than Singapore. Another reason is that if the quest for improvement and the bettering of oneself fades, it would be as if failure has replaced it, not just inertia.
In the last line of our pledge, it states that we aim "to achieve happiness, prosperity and PROGRESS for our nation." Progress comes with the desire to improve oneself and prosperity will follow, which can be linked to peace and stability. Happiness is then the eventual result. With the aim unrealized, we would have failed ourselves and our hopes for this nation, the hopes of the future generations in this nation and the hopes of our forefathers in this nation when they left their own homelands to come seek better lives here.
Humility is sorely needed in order to prevent such a phenomenon. I am not being protective over my nation's developed status however. Other countries have the prerogative to improve their developed levels too and there are other countries which are more developed than Singapore. Another reason is that if the quest for improvement and the bettering of oneself fades, it would be as if failure has replaced it, not just inertia.
In the last line of our pledge, it states that we aim "to achieve happiness, prosperity and PROGRESS for our nation." Progress comes with the desire to improve oneself and prosperity will follow, which can be linked to peace and stability. Happiness is then the eventual result. With the aim unrealized, we would have failed ourselves and our hopes for this nation, the hopes of the future generations in this nation and the hopes of our forefathers in this nation when they left their own homelands to come seek better lives here.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Uni life
It was my dream to get into NUS to obtain a degree in English Language and Literature after my A'levels. Sometimes dreams are not fulfilled and I instead lived it in a vicarious sense through Frivolous Days, a Chinese biography of Ng King Kang's university days. Though I did obtain a degree in English Literature, it was studied for in a private school, Stansfield.
The essential difference of such a school is that its students go for purely lessons and there is no student life. Absent are the CCAs and groups that allow us to pursue our interests, the more evident comaraderie amongst one another, the post-A'level lifestyle, if you can give a name to it. The students are really focused on their studies and work towards getting good grades. Some are also concerned with the fact that they are getting their money's worth. The age range of the students varies. There are fresh A'level graduates all the way to older adults in their 50s.
The sad thing is that I do not have a graduation photo. I did not go to my university in London to take part in the ceremony for two reasons. Firstly, none of my friends were going and I would be the only B.A English graduate there. Secondly, I was so caught up in my job that I missed the deadline for registration. I did go to visit my university and even took a photo of it. Thus, it is not so bad.
Such reflections are assailing my mind because of an article on enjoying university life in the newspapers.Eisen Teo has been receiving grouses from university students over their school life. However, as I read the complaints, I am filled with a wave of poignancy. Classes starting at 8am is something I hanker after, since I miss studying and going to school. The need to zap notes for the subject brings back memories of how my classmates in Stansfield used to do so. One of them would do it for the whole class and we would pay her for the cost. I still have my photocopied books of reference. I do agree though, that many of them were barely used as there was always insufficient time to go through them :S Money and paper were wasted.
We did not have project-based work and at that time, there were no laptops at use during lessons. Ours was a tutorial- and essay-based system. There were no exchange programmes too. We did not even do a thesis for our final year! We had different lecturers and I was exposed to the different accents of English in this way. I learnt how to understand the Irish, American, English, Indian and Singaporean accents. I must add that the lecturers' grammar was not compromised in the process. The most difficult accent to understand was Indian and the easiest was of course Singaporean.
These are the little nuggets of my university life that I still hold within. :)
The essential difference of such a school is that its students go for purely lessons and there is no student life. Absent are the CCAs and groups that allow us to pursue our interests, the more evident comaraderie amongst one another, the post-A'level lifestyle, if you can give a name to it. The students are really focused on their studies and work towards getting good grades. Some are also concerned with the fact that they are getting their money's worth. The age range of the students varies. There are fresh A'level graduates all the way to older adults in their 50s.
The sad thing is that I do not have a graduation photo. I did not go to my university in London to take part in the ceremony for two reasons. Firstly, none of my friends were going and I would be the only B.A English graduate there. Secondly, I was so caught up in my job that I missed the deadline for registration. I did go to visit my university and even took a photo of it. Thus, it is not so bad.
Such reflections are assailing my mind because of an article on enjoying university life in the newspapers.Eisen Teo has been receiving grouses from university students over their school life. However, as I read the complaints, I am filled with a wave of poignancy. Classes starting at 8am is something I hanker after, since I miss studying and going to school. The need to zap notes for the subject brings back memories of how my classmates in Stansfield used to do so. One of them would do it for the whole class and we would pay her for the cost. I still have my photocopied books of reference. I do agree though, that many of them were barely used as there was always insufficient time to go through them :S Money and paper were wasted.
We did not have project-based work and at that time, there were no laptops at use during lessons. Ours was a tutorial- and essay-based system. There were no exchange programmes too. We did not even do a thesis for our final year! We had different lecturers and I was exposed to the different accents of English in this way. I learnt how to understand the Irish, American, English, Indian and Singaporean accents. I must add that the lecturers' grammar was not compromised in the process. The most difficult accent to understand was Indian and the easiest was of course Singaporean.
These are the little nuggets of my university life that I still hold within. :)
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Profits at the expense of integrity
A certain hair salon owner misused his knowledge of technology in order to give a false impression of his clientale to the public. His intention was to enhance his portfolio and so gain more customers for his business. He did this by editing some photographs of celebrities such that they were seen together with him. This act would imply that he was their hairstylist.
The photos in the newspaper article seemed so real upon first glance. I actually fell for his trick and felt no surprise at his reputation. When the truth was exposed, I was chagrined that he had thought up such a thing. Money is apparently more important to him than a clear conscience.
I am glad though that he has been shamed by CASE in the exposure through the revelation of his profile picture in the newspapers. He should have thought of this before he actually did it. The truth will always come to light. I have a feeling that ironically, his number of customers have dropped because of this incident. His desperation in wanting to get more customers may have been the reason for this sham but it does not justify the wrongness of the act.
The photos in the newspaper article seemed so real upon first glance. I actually fell for his trick and felt no surprise at his reputation. When the truth was exposed, I was chagrined that he had thought up such a thing. Money is apparently more important to him than a clear conscience.
I am glad though that he has been shamed by CASE in the exposure through the revelation of his profile picture in the newspapers. He should have thought of this before he actually did it. The truth will always come to light. I have a feeling that ironically, his number of customers have dropped because of this incident. His desperation in wanting to get more customers may have been the reason for this sham but it does not justify the wrongness of the act.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
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