Two photos featured on Stomp's website incite some indignation in me, despite humans' perogative to their viewpoints.
The illegal CNY decorations done at a block of flats were seen as artistic creativity when they really constitute vandalism. Artistic creativity belongs on the canvas or in legal forms of artistic manifestation.
The gold 'ang bao' sold by a restaurant at Toa Payoh had a couplet referring to sexual activity. Some views were that it was nothing to be uptight about but seriously, 'ang baos' are given more to younger children than unmarried adults or senior citizens.
The former may think that this greeting is something they can spew at everyone they meet during the season, since it is on an 'ang bao'. It will affect people's perception of them and their parents' way of educating them. Adults may just laugh it off but what about the elderly who receive it? I doubt they will not be offended by the greeting. Have those 24 people thought about all these before accusing the sender of not "loosening up"?!
Stomp also held a poll on the idea of imposing fines on those who use their handphones while crossing the road. One of the views was to educate instead of imposing fines. Education may not work because people can let their stubborn attitudes rule their choice to shut out the dogma of this issue. As the saying goes: you can bring a horse to the water but you cannot force the horse to drink it. Fines would seem a better deterrent. After all, this may appeal to the 'kiasu-ism' of Singaporeans.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Politicians versus individuals
This is my first entry on inter-relation politics but I don't mean to criticise the country involved. It's really just my two cents' worth on this issue.
Thailand is unhappy over Singapore's welcome extended towards Thaksin when he visited. Thaksin has not been willingly embraced by his own country over his method of governing and Thailand feels that Singapore is jeopardising its relations with it by welcoming him.
If only Thailand is willing to see that we are all individuals on the face of this earth and like Singapore, see Thaksin as one too, this issue wouldn't be occurring. Singapore is just welcoming its friend to its country. That's actually rather fine.
Thailand is unhappy over Singapore's welcome extended towards Thaksin when he visited. Thaksin has not been willingly embraced by his own country over his method of governing and Thailand feels that Singapore is jeopardising its relations with it by welcoming him.
If only Thailand is willing to see that we are all individuals on the face of this earth and like Singapore, see Thaksin as one too, this issue wouldn't be occurring. Singapore is just welcoming its friend to its country. That's actually rather fine.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Incessantly annoying queries brought by Chinese New Year
An article on Chinese New Year reunion dinners and the inquiries by relatives on one's life in the midst, injected some long-overdue humour into the act of trying to avoid those inquiries in a firm but non-offensive manner.
The question about scoring worse than one's cousins in examinations can be countered at the expense of one's cousins, by joking that bribery was employed in the process. This should shut the relatives up. Marriage is another sensitive topic to bring up and the way to rebutt the relatives is to assure them that an order for a celebrity's clone has been placed and will be delivered soon. Such a ruckus this will produce, I'm sure. Weight gain is on everyone's lips nowadays and using science to justify it is a sure tactic to answering this query.
Personally, I think the last strategy, on weight gain, is the most suitable to employ, so as not to create any impression of insolence on the elders. Still, this article gives a good and interesting laugh. :)
The question about scoring worse than one's cousins in examinations can be countered at the expense of one's cousins, by joking that bribery was employed in the process. This should shut the relatives up. Marriage is another sensitive topic to bring up and the way to rebutt the relatives is to assure them that an order for a celebrity's clone has been placed and will be delivered soon. Such a ruckus this will produce, I'm sure. Weight gain is on everyone's lips nowadays and using science to justify it is a sure tactic to answering this query.
Personally, I think the last strategy, on weight gain, is the most suitable to employ, so as not to create any impression of insolence on the elders. Still, this article gives a good and interesting laugh. :)
Learning Taiwanese Literature with a twist and single-sex classes in USA
A Taiwanese teacher used popular singer Jay Chou's songs to set a Literature exam paper for her students. Most of them failed the paper and there were protests against it. One of them was found on a student's website as follows: "I flunked, thanks to that stupid Jay Chou!" I wonder what Jay Chou himself thinks of this. He must be either amused, flattered or apologetic, I reckon.
As a Literature major and tutor, I admire her innovation in coming up with such questions. The songs were reproduced in full so that the questions could be answered more easily, with reference to them. Thus it was a matter of applying one's knowledge of literary concepts to the questions.
She was merely trying to make Literature more accessible to her students. The format was somewhat like the unseen prose section in the O'level paper, where any text can be used as a contextual question. She used university students' work to come up with the idea, a form of intertextuality really. There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with this act of hers really.
Splitting the genders when it comes to learning is beneficial because males and females operate in different ways. Also, there will be no unforseen distractions of romantic relationships being formed between them when classes are conducted. However, ultimately as they mature in age, they will be placed together in classes in higher institutions of learning. This is inevitable. One must note though that it is really up to the individual to possess the ability to cope with such distractions while learning.
Someone I know wanted to prevent his son from encountering such distractions during his secondary school life, as he felt his son was still not mature enough to be exposed to boy-girl relationships. Thus, he placed his son in a single-sex school which is situated at the other end of the country, causing his son to be obliged to wake up very early in the morning so as to reach his school on time.
He could have placed his son in a mixed school which is so much nearer to his home, and hence eliminate unnecessary travelling time. I feel that in this case, it does not really make a difference if his son is exposed to the other gender early in life, since his son will ultimately have to encounter them sooner or later. It is really practicality that should have ruled his decision in this case.
As a Literature major and tutor, I admire her innovation in coming up with such questions. The songs were reproduced in full so that the questions could be answered more easily, with reference to them. Thus it was a matter of applying one's knowledge of literary concepts to the questions.
She was merely trying to make Literature more accessible to her students. The format was somewhat like the unseen prose section in the O'level paper, where any text can be used as a contextual question. She used university students' work to come up with the idea, a form of intertextuality really. There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with this act of hers really.
Splitting the genders when it comes to learning is beneficial because males and females operate in different ways. Also, there will be no unforseen distractions of romantic relationships being formed between them when classes are conducted. However, ultimately as they mature in age, they will be placed together in classes in higher institutions of learning. This is inevitable. One must note though that it is really up to the individual to possess the ability to cope with such distractions while learning.
Someone I know wanted to prevent his son from encountering such distractions during his secondary school life, as he felt his son was still not mature enough to be exposed to boy-girl relationships. Thus, he placed his son in a single-sex school which is situated at the other end of the country, causing his son to be obliged to wake up very early in the morning so as to reach his school on time.
He could have placed his son in a mixed school which is so much nearer to his home, and hence eliminate unnecessary travelling time. I feel that in this case, it does not really make a difference if his son is exposed to the other gender early in life, since his son will ultimately have to encounter them sooner or later. It is really practicality that should have ruled his decision in this case.
Making a mockery out of our courtesy campaign
Tiah Kiang Choon wrote an article on the selfish attitudes of Singaporeans. I have experienced it first-hand as well and it does annoy me too.
When I want to move further in while on the bus so as to make way for those boarding, I am obstructed by alien attitudes which think otherwise. Thankfully, I can move to the centre while on the MRT train. If I stay at the door, I make sure I tiptoe while standing at this side so people can enter more easily.
The 'aliens' around me however, seem to be in their own worlds. This couple turned on loudly their extremely annoying techno music in the bus. I have no right to assess their choice of music but they don't exactly have to show the world what they listen to. They are not on a mission to convert more listeners, are they?! Some students, either the elite-sounding in their influenced accented English or the uncouth boyish-but-trying-to-sound-manly voices, fill the bus with their loud voices and what is worse, they think they are giving a 'cool' impression of themselves.
On the MRT train, my considerate gestures are squashed by some obnoxious people who lean on the poles which are really for people to put their hands on. Are their hands so delicate that they can't be plastered onto the poles?! Perhaps SMRT should put signs up asking people not to lean on the poles, in the trains. Then again, these offenders are probably illiterate, since most signs go unheeded anyway.
Queues are also another occurrence where people just want their own way. I was made to take a later turn when people just went in front of me while I was in a queue, on three occasions.
The first occurred in the taxi queue behind Junction 8 when this Japanese mother and her son did not let me have my turn. She may have been talking on her phone but that is no excuse. Thankfully, the Singaporeans behind her saw it and let me go first after that.
The second was when this hooligan-like male went in front of me in the ATM machine queue at Ang Mo Kio while the third was when this girl went in front of me to hail a cab outside Golden Hill Condominium. I was there first. Thank goodness the taxi driver was smart enough to stop for me and not her.
When I want to move further in while on the bus so as to make way for those boarding, I am obstructed by alien attitudes which think otherwise. Thankfully, I can move to the centre while on the MRT train. If I stay at the door, I make sure I tiptoe while standing at this side so people can enter more easily.
The 'aliens' around me however, seem to be in their own worlds. This couple turned on loudly their extremely annoying techno music in the bus. I have no right to assess their choice of music but they don't exactly have to show the world what they listen to. They are not on a mission to convert more listeners, are they?! Some students, either the elite-sounding in their influenced accented English or the uncouth boyish-but-trying-to-sound-manly voices, fill the bus with their loud voices and what is worse, they think they are giving a 'cool' impression of themselves.
On the MRT train, my considerate gestures are squashed by some obnoxious people who lean on the poles which are really for people to put their hands on. Are their hands so delicate that they can't be plastered onto the poles?! Perhaps SMRT should put signs up asking people not to lean on the poles, in the trains. Then again, these offenders are probably illiterate, since most signs go unheeded anyway.
Queues are also another occurrence where people just want their own way. I was made to take a later turn when people just went in front of me while I was in a queue, on three occasions.
The first occurred in the taxi queue behind Junction 8 when this Japanese mother and her son did not let me have my turn. She may have been talking on her phone but that is no excuse. Thankfully, the Singaporeans behind her saw it and let me go first after that.
The second was when this hooligan-like male went in front of me in the ATM machine queue at Ang Mo Kio while the third was when this girl went in front of me to hail a cab outside Golden Hill Condominium. I was there first. Thank goodness the taxi driver was smart enough to stop for me and not her.
Friday, January 05, 2007
"Little ironies of Singapore"
Edwin Yeo wrote in his Wise Guy column about three things that had bugged him in 2006. Upon reading his article, I felt compelled to add some of my thoughts pertaining to it.
He mentioned people using packets of tissue paper to reserve places when they eat out. I recall this anecdote told to me about how a mother took a piece of tissue paper from a packet which was used to reserve the table, in order to use it to wipe her mouth. At that moment, the occupants of the table came back and saw her. As they stood behind, they were wondering at her gesture. It brought out a snigger in me.
Instead of having the packet as a sign of reservation, it was used in its proper form. Their intention backfired but I think they should feel a tinge of shame after this incident. Lol.
Edwin Yeo then went on to mention annoying taxi drivers who charge unreasonably exorbitant fares on their passengers. I am grateful to note that not only has this scenario never happened to me but the taxi drivers I encounter also give me respect. They know when I want to be with my thoughts or work, and when I'm open to conversation. They don't go beyond my line of obnoxiousness when chatting with me. Some even offer me advice on how to live.
I recall a friendly driver who told me about his personal experiences and on how to judge a man of good character when intending to marry. He clarified with me that he only meant well by the conversation. Sometimes the conversations I hold with such drivers are interesting to have. :)
He mentioned people using packets of tissue paper to reserve places when they eat out. I recall this anecdote told to me about how a mother took a piece of tissue paper from a packet which was used to reserve the table, in order to use it to wipe her mouth. At that moment, the occupants of the table came back and saw her. As they stood behind, they were wondering at her gesture. It brought out a snigger in me.
Instead of having the packet as a sign of reservation, it was used in its proper form. Their intention backfired but I think they should feel a tinge of shame after this incident. Lol.
Edwin Yeo then went on to mention annoying taxi drivers who charge unreasonably exorbitant fares on their passengers. I am grateful to note that not only has this scenario never happened to me but the taxi drivers I encounter also give me respect. They know when I want to be with my thoughts or work, and when I'm open to conversation. They don't go beyond my line of obnoxiousness when chatting with me. Some even offer me advice on how to live.
I recall a friendly driver who told me about his personal experiences and on how to judge a man of good character when intending to marry. He clarified with me that he only meant well by the conversation. Sometimes the conversations I hold with such drivers are interesting to have. :)
Ascending the career ladder
UK employers who participated in a survey indicated that weight and body shape is an essential determinant to gaining a promotion. They are of the opinion that slim workers are associated with attitudes of discipline, commitment and seriousness in their work.
I do hope that this view is not held by the employers on a global basis, as it is a sweeping and subjective view to have. I know of people who aren't slim and have established themselves in their respective career fields. A person's character and attitudes aren't determined by how they look!
I feel that if employers hold this view, their subordinates who have such positive attitudes but are not slim, will feel demoralized and start falling into this stereotype built on them. In that case, it is the employers themselves who will have singlehandedly caused that phenomenon, by virtue of their ignorant perceptions. Again, this serves to put external looks on an unnecessary pedestal and indeed, UK employees are embarking on diets to get ahead in their careers. What a sad thing to behold!
I do hope that this view is not held by the employers on a global basis, as it is a sweeping and subjective view to have. I know of people who aren't slim and have established themselves in their respective career fields. A person's character and attitudes aren't determined by how they look!
I feel that if employers hold this view, their subordinates who have such positive attitudes but are not slim, will feel demoralized and start falling into this stereotype built on them. In that case, it is the employers themselves who will have singlehandedly caused that phenomenon, by virtue of their ignorant perceptions. Again, this serves to put external looks on an unnecessary pedestal and indeed, UK employees are embarking on diets to get ahead in their careers. What a sad thing to behold!
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Can material goods be with us forever?
Song Kangping wrote to the New Paper about teenagers who are way too materialistic in their lifestyles. It struck a chord with me because I feel this way as well.
Those in affluent societies like Singapore are the ones who belong to this 'club'. The societal pressure has been so dominant that even people who are not financially stable desire to be in this 'club', unconsciously. They are envious of others and try to obtain whatever they see that others possess, without stopping to think as to whether they really need or will use that item. That's kind of foolish, isn't it? It makes them look like copycats and duplicating unoriginals. Have they ever wondered what others will think of them or are they just too caught up in the chase for the latest material trends??
Of course, not all teenagers are like that. There are some rare gems who are an exception. They are thrifty and think carefully before spending their money. They are not averse to taking advantage of the latest sales promotions and offers, so that they can save some money. It's sad to note that these people are the older teenagers.
Ultimately, the money most of them get for spending is from their parents' salaries and not their own. Though it's their allowance and they're entitled to spend it in whatever way they choose to, their choices makes them out to be either wise or foolish.
Those in affluent societies like Singapore are the ones who belong to this 'club'. The societal pressure has been so dominant that even people who are not financially stable desire to be in this 'club', unconsciously. They are envious of others and try to obtain whatever they see that others possess, without stopping to think as to whether they really need or will use that item. That's kind of foolish, isn't it? It makes them look like copycats and duplicating unoriginals. Have they ever wondered what others will think of them or are they just too caught up in the chase for the latest material trends??
Of course, not all teenagers are like that. There are some rare gems who are an exception. They are thrifty and think carefully before spending their money. They are not averse to taking advantage of the latest sales promotions and offers, so that they can save some money. It's sad to note that these people are the older teenagers.
Ultimately, the money most of them get for spending is from their parents' salaries and not their own. Though it's their allowance and they're entitled to spend it in whatever way they choose to, their choices makes them out to be either wise or foolish.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Simplicity is so wanting nowadays
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?!
Where is the taste and appreciation for pure simplicity?!
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.
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