The gradual loss of finding joy in reading

I was reading an article on visual versus verbal learning. It mentioned how children prefer to use the Internet and watch television, as compared to reading. As a result, their attention span and concentration suffer. Reading requires patience to finish the book, as it continues to state.

I fear that this has happened to me. I have books I haven't even started to read and which I bought rather impulsively, now that I think about it. I have another one in mind. It is about the 1960s seen through Barbie's eyes. She is portrayed as a photographer in it. I love nostalgic books or material. Oh well.

Now I've started watching television shows, music videos and movies off the Internet. I just watched Princess Diaries 2, The Sound of Music, and episodes of Charmed, Bewitched as well as Golden Girls.

I hope I can rectify this problem and curb this habit. It's still able to be salvaged. When you are aware of the fact that you are falling into something, it means you want to get out of it because you know it's not good. Wish me luck!

Followup on arrogance being a terrible flaw

Letters have been written in response to the incident of some parents making a scene over their sons' performances in the P6 Math Prelim paper of a school. Most are against the parents' attitude but one of the parents actually wrote in as well. Hah!

He claimed Santokh Singh doesn't know what is going on for the whole incident. This seems a irony because the parents don't know what pressures the teachers face and the academic syllabus they follow as well. This however, doesn't hinder them from wanting to have a say in the methods of teaching P6 Math by the school.

If you really think about it, Santokh Singh, being an outsider, is more objective and can view the incident from a wider basis. He has no biases to taint his perspectives. He can see things which the parents or school staff can't.

Arrogance is a terrible flaw

The New Paper reported on some parents expressing extreme dissatisfaction over their sons' performance in the Math paper for the P6 Prelims. They even wanted a say in how the teachers at the school taught the subject.

Seriously, my sentiments are that they are not in MOE so they have no right to do so. As Santokh Singh wrote, they should learn to trust the teachers who are qualified and experienced. Just because they are educated and some are in the banking or finance arenas, it doesn't give them this perogative to even have this desire.

This is not the first time that parents have complained about the exams. This time though, it just takes the cake that they want a say in the teaching methods. Arrogance is in full force here.

Norms in conversations

When you listen carefully to how people interact with one another, it can be startling and dismaying too. It has become the norm even among the decent ones to use uncouth words like "s***" and "h***". I categorise these two words as "uncouth" because they are used out of their original contexts to express frustration and unhappiness. I'm not even taking into account the ultimate word of "f***" here, which is a purely contrived word, unlike the two words above which have their own contexts. This is certainly a vulgarity, nothing to argue about.

Uncouth words extend to dialects and other languages too. I'm sure Chinese, Malay and Tamil have their lists too, as well as Hokkien, Teochew and the other dialects. I presume the users think it is trendy to pepper their speeches with such words but it really just makes them look uncouth.

Another norm in conversations is the inability to check the tone used when speaking. Varying tones can have lasting effects on the listeners, especially on sensitive ones. Coupled with volume, this lethal combination can either cut through their hearts like a knife or soothe their weary spirits like a balm. Self-awareness, self-control and putting yourself in the other person's shoes are ways to avoid such verbal injuries.

Doggie-land

I have 2 dogs to play with each time I go for 2 particular lessons.

One is a Beagle and is extremely noisy. Last week, it dragged my bag from the chair, by its handle and took my tissue packet from it. I had to wrestle the tissue packet from it but I had a near-scare when it got entangled with the bag's handle. I feared more for its life than for my bag. If it got strangled by the handle, I wouldn't be able to live it down. I tried to gently remove the handle but I couldn't . Thank goodness, the maid removed its leash so it was free of the bag.

Another is a snowy-white and furry Maltese who likes to play. It jumps and wags its tail with its tongue hanging out of its mouth. It is extremely adorable.

I also pass by dogs on my way home. I see a Siberian Husky, a sausage Beagle and two Alsatians among others. :)

My student had to do research on the unusual. She told me about the world's biggest dog Gibson, who lives in USA and is a Great Dane. He's absolutely adorable and well-behaved when he has to travel by plane to talkshows or radioshows in different states. He's actually taller than Shaquile O'Neal, the basketballer when he stands on 2 legs.

A light moment

I do take a cab home at times and when my friend's mum sent me home, I actually instinctively turned to my bag, intending to take my wallet out to pay her. I had thought I was in a cab. It was such an amusing moment when I realised it. She and my friend burst out laughing too when I told them about it. Hahaha. :P

Achieving dreams

The next day, a choirmate spoke to me about a course that enables me to feel motivated to achieve my lifelong dreams instead of just sitting on them. Somehow it awakened the desire to face my fears in me.

The heart of authority by John Bittleston

I lift this entire paragraph from his article which was published in Today. I think it is rather self-explanatory and it implies my stand as to how to implement authority, from a teacher's perspective.

'True authority is achieved as a result of respect. Coerced authority is transient, ineffective and immoral. The Genghis Khans of this world can command a certain, reluctant obedience for a time but it is grudging, short-lived and minimally efficient. Often it rebounds on the perpetrator in a very unhappy and unexpected way.'

I would still like to add some thoughts to it though. Being inclined towards SOLELY using the 'stick approach' in dealing with students can gain their respect but it is one born out of FEAR and NOT FULL willingness to co-operate. It WILL WEAR OFF sooner or later and things will go back to square one. The teacher will have to start gaining the students' respect all over again.

Boost school rankings by ensuring high grades in all subjects

Some schools have encouraged students who do not fare as well as others in certain subjects, to drop the subjects. That seems to be making choices for the students and having prior assumptions towards their eventual grades in the major exams. This is rather unfair, isn't it?

Yes, the school teachers may have been using their earlier grades as a gauge but they cannot foretell how the students will do for the subjects in future. There is a possibility that the students may just need more time to grasp the subjects and they will fare better in the future tests or exams. Aren't they giving up hope too soon on the students and demoralizing them in the process?

They probably think they are saving the students from laying eyes on the failing marks in those subjects in their report books. This brings them back to the act of making prior assumptions towards how their students will fare for the subjects in the exams.

They evidently seem to think that they know what is best for their students, since they are teachers, but they are really ignoring their students' voices. After all, it is the students who will sit for the papers and whose lives that are at stake here.

When I was a student, my teachers never once brought up the matter of dropping my poor subjects. They continued being there to patiently answer my questions and even gave me pep talks, encouraging me to believe that I could eventually pass my subjects. I did and am grateful to them for not ever giving up on me.

What has happened to the education system with time? Are the schools just too caught up in climbing the ranks and producing good statistical results, at the expense of their students' morale and passions?

Beauty Queens?

Edwin Yeo wrote a tongue-in-cheek article on women interested in joining beauty pageants. His answers to the questions for semi-finalists are certainly humorous but I wonder what reactions he will get from such ladies. Some of them may think he has a sense of condescension towards their intelligence level.

Our local contestants are not exactly known for their looks in comparison to those from other nations. They shine in their mental faculties however. Some of them hold academic qualifications and jobs which demonstrate their aptitudes.

I would like to point out that one former beauty queen has both brains and beauty. Eunice Olsen is now a Member of Parliament, is musically inclined, sporty and compassionate towards charitable purposes as well.

Stomp's attention-grabbing scene

Citizens who try to be civic-conscious take photographs to highlight certain occurrences in society. One of it is the couple who kissed each other full on the mouth for a period of time, while they were on the MRT. That is utterly inconsiderate of the couple. Obviously, they were trying to get attention from others around them, even if it is of the negative kind. They felt a thrill from making others feel repulsed by their act. That is what sadism really means.

If they are deeply in love, it is really for the two of them to express their feelings to each other. They aren't in love with people around them, are they? They can easily do whatever they wish to with each other at their homes. It also shows a lack of self-control within themselves and most people will not feel any happier for them when they give in to their feelings. Perhaps they are practising for the Longest Kiss Contest?

Basically, people won't bother as to whether they are in love with each other or getting married to each other. Real life is not like what we see on TV. People won't applaud them for being bold in expressing their feelings or loving towards each other. They have their own preoccupations to fill their minds.

They may claim that others around them are being intrusive and that it is none of the people's business as to what they do with each other. However, they are being a public nuisance in what they did, or else they wouldn't have been on Stomp's website, would they?

Encounters of youths in society

There were quotes from youths as to their usage of computers and the Internet. One of them says that she keeps her computer on every minute and it has become a habit for her to do so. Doesn't she realise that it saves electricity to turn the computer off when she isn't using it? She is taking her parents' wealth for granted. As long as they can continue paying the bills, she doesn't care at all.

A PLMGS girl had a negative experience with the imposition of its school rules. The school has always been particular in the hairstyles of its girls. I remember something like the girls having to either leave short hair which is above their blouses' collars, or to neatly tie their long hair up. I find this rule even stricter than that of my IJ school's rule, in terms of what constitutes short hair. After all, how do you tie up hair that is just below the collar? There isn't much to form into a ponytail.

I think that the school was being too rigid and inflexible in its dealings towards the Malay girl. Sometimes the race and genetics of a person determines her appearance. Even after her mother verified that her hair colour was hereditary, the school refused to back down on its option of getting her to dye her hair. I feel that the school should start to re-examine its outdated rules and move with the scientific advances that affect a person's looks. After all, the reason was certainly valid and a person's appearance doesn't define her overall self.

I do understand that the school doesn't want its students to emphasise excessively on their looks, what with the latest fashion trends prevalent around them. However, I strongly agree with what the girl's mum said, that it should give more focus to preparing students mentally for their examinations instead. Anyway, the girl's hair was brown and not purple or green. Brown's a natural hair colour.

A girl was allegedly expelled from her school for unruly hair. That is not a just reason for the action. The principal refused to take any calls for clarification from the media and then claimed that it had been a misunderstanding. I think he probably retracted his decision out of social pressure after the report in the newspapers. He obviously thinks his decision is still right, as he apologised for his staff and not for himself. It seems that he is shifting blame to them. What a man.

Still, there are loose ends to this matter, as brought up by her mother. The school could have given a solution to the problem instead of carrying out such a drastic measure. I like IJ Toa Payoh's principal's way of handling an inappropriate uniform. The unreasonable principal should take a leaf out of this principal's book. Also, it is strange how her mother was not notified upon her repeated flouting and how no calls from the school were made to the family during the three days she was absent. Lastly, there is a contradiction in what the school claims about the girl's case and her actual habits. She allegedly had very long fingernails but she has a habit of chewing her nails. Is she being picked on as a sacrificial victim by the staff who are under work pressure?

Stomp's countdown of citizens' journalistic spotlights

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.

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.

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. :)

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.

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.

"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. :)

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!

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.