Oh man!
Tomorrow i will be competing in the Triangles Grand Finals competition. Right now my heart's already pounding profusely and i just cannot stop it! I am still busily preparing for the speech and I'm getting headaches over it. What to do now?
Anyway, apart from my lamenting, i hope 1o1 will give me their fullest support and i am quite confident that they will. Thank you all and wish me luck!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
How to solve a problem.
To me, problems can be solved regardless of whether they are big or small. However, I was indeed guilty of not knowing how to solve a problem with reference to last Friday's incident which lead me to my turning point.
Last Friday during LA lesson, Ms Soh was strolling along the corridor on the way to our classroom, with her heals clucking along. Then immediately after that, dark clouds began to brew when she came in and saw the sight of our classroom. By the way, I was actually silently walking behind her and too saw a whole pile of rags covered on the floor to soak up a pool of water. But unfortunately i paid little attention to that and headed for my seat. As i turned back, a set of stern eyes started glaring at me- fixed as if i was a target. There was a long silence. Until, "1O1 can you see the problem here." which came in a threatening and humourless tone.
During that time Ms Soh's eyes were still fixed on me. "1O1 what can YOU do to solve this problem?" Just then those words struck me like a block of burning ice. What had I done? What had i not done?
I did nothing.
What can we do to solve this problem?
To me, i would solve a problem by first finding its root cause. From there we can figure out what went wrong and change from there. By knowing what went wrong, we will be ready if the same situation happens again. Being able to react immediately towards the situation and not stare blankly. Like what i did, i thought that i didn't have anything to do with it and thus i just hopped over those pile of rags and totally ignored it.
I realised that since the incident happened in our classroom, it is each and every body's responsibility to make sure that the problem is solved. We will all be part of it and not dare to say that it is none off my business. There may be a 101 things to say that it has nothing to do with me. But there will always be 1001 things to say that it has to do with you and you are part of ensuring that the classroom is in tip top condition.
As Hwa Chong boys, we ought to take initiatives and react in a fast and a efficient manner to any situation that might befall on us. Be it positive or negative.
Last Friday during LA lesson, Ms Soh was strolling along the corridor on the way to our classroom, with her heals clucking along. Then immediately after that, dark clouds began to brew when she came in and saw the sight of our classroom. By the way, I was actually silently walking behind her and too saw a whole pile of rags covered on the floor to soak up a pool of water. But unfortunately i paid little attention to that and headed for my seat. As i turned back, a set of stern eyes started glaring at me- fixed as if i was a target. There was a long silence. Until, "1O1 can you see the problem here." which came in a threatening and humourless tone.
During that time Ms Soh's eyes were still fixed on me. "1O1 what can YOU do to solve this problem?" Just then those words struck me like a block of burning ice. What had I done? What had i not done?
I did nothing.
What can we do to solve this problem?
To me, i would solve a problem by first finding its root cause. From there we can figure out what went wrong and change from there. By knowing what went wrong, we will be ready if the same situation happens again. Being able to react immediately towards the situation and not stare blankly. Like what i did, i thought that i didn't have anything to do with it and thus i just hopped over those pile of rags and totally ignored it.
I realised that since the incident happened in our classroom, it is each and every body's responsibility to make sure that the problem is solved. We will all be part of it and not dare to say that it is none off my business. There may be a 101 things to say that it has nothing to do with me. But there will always be 1001 things to say that it has to do with you and you are part of ensuring that the classroom is in tip top condition.
As Hwa Chong boys, we ought to take initiatives and react in a fast and a efficient manner to any situation that might befall on us. Be it positive or negative.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
In his most private moment, watching the sun set with the music of Handel or Tchaikovsky playing-is his greatest pleasure.....Born on the 18th of July 1918 in a village near Umtata in the Transkei, emerges one of the greatest anti-apartheid heroes of all time. He is none other than Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.
Mandela's words, "The struggle is my life," are not to be taken lightly." and "After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb." This shows that Mandela was a person who despite being faced with many difficulties, was able to endure through such circumstances and emerge as someone whom had gained the recognition of many great leaders.
Mandela faced many challenges in his life. He was convicted countless number of times; having to go to jail for contravening the Suppression of Communism Act and was then given a suspended prison sentence. Later on, he had been confined to Johannesburg for six months after being prohibited from attending gatherings. Spending nearly his entire life in prison but for a reason-he stood up in what he believed in and never lost hope in it until the day when the apartheid law was finally abolished.
On the contrary, being too enthusiastic in his work, Nelson Mandela was said to have created incitements amongst his people which may have lead to a civil war. Mandela is a person who is able to change the views of people within in one night and thus holds a great responsibility in leading his people on the right tract. This way, it was dangerous as it meant that innocent lives were being put on the line during his protests and that many will be lost eventually.
To me not everyone is perfect, but in what you have done which makes you stand out amongst the ordinary in a positive way- then you are indeed a person who is laudable and praiseworthy of.
Mandela's words, "The struggle is my life," are not to be taken lightly." and "After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb." This shows that Mandela was a person who despite being faced with many difficulties, was able to endure through such circumstances and emerge as someone whom had gained the recognition of many great leaders.
Mandela faced many challenges in his life. He was convicted countless number of times; having to go to jail for contravening the Suppression of Communism Act and was then given a suspended prison sentence. Later on, he had been confined to Johannesburg for six months after being prohibited from attending gatherings. Spending nearly his entire life in prison but for a reason-he stood up in what he believed in and never lost hope in it until the day when the apartheid law was finally abolished.
On the contrary, being too enthusiastic in his work, Nelson Mandela was said to have created incitements amongst his people which may have lead to a civil war. Mandela is a person who is able to change the views of people within in one night and thus holds a great responsibility in leading his people on the right tract. This way, it was dangerous as it meant that innocent lives were being put on the line during his protests and that many will be lost eventually.
To me not everyone is perfect, but in what you have done which makes you stand out amongst the ordinary in a positive way- then you are indeed a person who is laudable and praiseworthy of.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Failure.
Today I took my Japanese test at the Ghi Moh language centre. Later, as I walked out of the examination room, I felt rather gloomy and solemn. Tears nearly flooded my eyes as I helplessly dragged my feet home under the afternoon shower. Every step I took seemed to take an eternity and I constantly stepped on puddles of water which lead me to stop and muse to myself "I am so gonna fail my Jap. test."
Failure. .To me, I would consider it to be a lethal and harmless poison that is sometimes best avoided. A failed attempt may result in a lifelong trauma. Failure may also lead to eternal regret and the ending of one's life. But despite all that, it is still how we see failure and react to it that matters - with every episode of failure, emerges one who will be stronger. In turn, forgetting the yesterday and preparing to face the tomorrow.
So I felt horrible after today's Japanese test but this episode of failure reminds us of one thing; that it is still not the end of the world and that we all long for the day when we are able to do things well. So I figured, why am I to let this part of life stop me from pressing onwards and pursuing my dreams? Just pack up my troubles and dump them away for they do not make me a better person when I look back and mull about them. Thus the way I see it , "Fail then fail lah. Live to fight again another day!!
Failure. .To me, I would consider it to be a lethal and harmless poison that is sometimes best avoided. A failed attempt may result in a lifelong trauma. Failure may also lead to eternal regret and the ending of one's life. But despite all that, it is still how we see failure and react to it that matters - with every episode of failure, emerges one who will be stronger. In turn, forgetting the yesterday and preparing to face the tomorrow.
So I felt horrible after today's Japanese test but this episode of failure reminds us of one thing; that it is still not the end of the world and that we all long for the day when we are able to do things well. So I figured, why am I to let this part of life stop me from pressing onwards and pursuing my dreams? Just pack up my troubles and dump them away for they do not make me a better person when I look back and mull about them. Thus the way I see it , "Fail then fail lah. Live to fight again another day!!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Studying in a very competitive environment.
Personally, i do not really like the idea of studying in a competitive environment. Namely, (i) the huge amount of stress given. (ii) some students tend to get too full of themselves and start boasting their grades. (iii) the students who do not do well suffers.
Since it is a competitive environment, students will obviously tend to be more competitive. At some point, i feel that it is still fine to have little competitions but not until a certain extent whereby someone gets so competitive that he starts to turn selfish. An example would be when the teacher is explaining some important notes and meanwhile you are in the toilet, then when you come back you ask your partner what you have missed out. "NOTHING!" he says.
Also, let's say if i have gotten full marks, yes, full marks for my math test and you gotten 20. How would you feel if i brought up my answer script and deliberately brandish it in front of you. Furthermore, i will not care about your feelings, as it is only i who feels good. Do you feel good or lousy after that? One, would definitely choose the latter.
This brings me to my third point- the ones hanging on the losing end suffers. " Oh my goodness, what am i to do now that i am the worst in mathematics? Die lah! Must be first in class." So on and so forth, this is what will most likely be going through most peoples minds. But why? This drives us back to my stand - studying in a competitive environment. These kinds of mindset can prove to be lethal. Linking it back to adeline ng's case, she was under a lot of pressure and therefore committed suicide. Same here, when one is under a lot of unnecessary pressure, he or she is likely to make unwise decisions and consequences will be dire.
Despite having said all these, there are always two sides of a coin. By studying in a competitive environment, it may sometimes bring out ones fullest potential and continues to excel. In contrast, one may become too complacent, lazy and unable to expand to their fullest potential. But wouldn't it be better if everyone helps each other and excel at the same pace? Think about it, in this way we can not only achieve our goals but achieve them as a class. "THE STRENGH OF A PART IS THE STRENGH OF THE WEAKEST MAN." A quote by a NCC staff sergeant in HCI.
Since it is a competitive environment, students will obviously tend to be more competitive. At some point, i feel that it is still fine to have little competitions but not until a certain extent whereby someone gets so competitive that he starts to turn selfish. An example would be when the teacher is explaining some important notes and meanwhile you are in the toilet, then when you come back you ask your partner what you have missed out. "NOTHING!" he says.
Also, let's say if i have gotten full marks, yes, full marks for my math test and you gotten 20. How would you feel if i brought up my answer script and deliberately brandish it in front of you. Furthermore, i will not care about your feelings, as it is only i who feels good. Do you feel good or lousy after that? One, would definitely choose the latter.
This brings me to my third point- the ones hanging on the losing end suffers. " Oh my goodness, what am i to do now that i am the worst in mathematics? Die lah! Must be first in class." So on and so forth, this is what will most likely be going through most peoples minds. But why? This drives us back to my stand - studying in a competitive environment. These kinds of mindset can prove to be lethal. Linking it back to adeline ng's case, she was under a lot of pressure and therefore committed suicide. Same here, when one is under a lot of unnecessary pressure, he or she is likely to make unwise decisions and consequences will be dire.
Despite having said all these, there are always two sides of a coin. By studying in a competitive environment, it may sometimes bring out ones fullest potential and continues to excel. In contrast, one may become too complacent, lazy and unable to expand to their fullest potential. But wouldn't it be better if everyone helps each other and excel at the same pace? Think about it, in this way we can not only achieve our goals but achieve them as a class. "THE STRENGH OF A PART IS THE STRENGH OF THE WEAKEST MAN." A quote by a NCC staff sergeant in HCI.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Blog Prompt:Issues in Flowers for Algernon, Qn 6
Dear Docter Strauss,
Efter much conci-(can't spell it), I have desided to go thru tu eparaemant. I no that I run the risc of becoming smart for tu years, I am goin to try my best.
I wood rather spent tu years living in hapenes than being sad for tu rest of my life, as there is no point to continu living in sadness. My life is horibel as I am difrent from tu ret of tu people. They treet me like I am nothing. When I walk in the streets, people will star at me then, they lif thier chin up high and iknor me. They do it like they have not seen aniting, like I am invis-(sorry).
I dun wnat to live such a life. Why can't ather people treet me like everione else. Why am I wrong? Okationaly,ten to go to people to asc where I am they they say go away. Is it becose I am smely. I dun no.
People say I have to go buy rabits foot, some say it is good luc. So I bot one which cost 1 and tuDOs, they aer cosly. I brot it home and washd it and then the rabits foot split in tu and was I got angri. I am sure I have bad luc. Whats wrong with the rabits foot.
At leest there are stil people who car abot me. Like when I fel downe, some of them lat at me and I lafd to. Or like when I actsiden-(forgi-me, o man), spilt my cup of juce, my friends lafd at me. But only a few of these people exsis.
Why shood I get look downe.Why not get this chanse. My dreem since yong was to be smart like everone else, I just want to live a normal life.I also do not want to be lafd at at all.
With intelligens, i will be able to help others, to show themb that i can also be like everione else. I also want to have frends so that i can not alwas be so lonly. I would like to make frends but i dun no how. I have never walk out on the streets with anione else. why cant i walk with a frend.
So what if the exparemant dos not work. As long as I no that I have triyd. Why be lausy when there is a chanse to be smart. At leest I get to enjoi the feeling of being smart for onse. The luxeri that not everione can enjoi, I will be hapy.
Efter much conci-(can't spell it), I have desided to go thru tu eparaemant. I no that I run the risc of becoming smart for tu years, I am goin to try my best.
I wood rather spent tu years living in hapenes than being sad for tu rest of my life, as there is no point to continu living in sadness. My life is horibel as I am difrent from tu ret of tu people. They treet me like I am nothing. When I walk in the streets, people will star at me then, they lif thier chin up high and iknor me. They do it like they have not seen aniting, like I am invis-(sorry).
I dun wnat to live such a life. Why can't ather people treet me like everione else. Why am I wrong? Okationaly,ten to go to people to asc where I am they they say go away. Is it becose I am smely. I dun no.
People say I have to go buy rabits foot, some say it is good luc. So I bot one which cost 1 and tuDOs, they aer cosly. I brot it home and washd it and then the rabits foot split in tu and was I got angri. I am sure I have bad luc. Whats wrong with the rabits foot.
At leest there are stil people who car abot me. Like when I fel downe, some of them lat at me and I lafd to. Or like when I actsiden-(forgi-me, o man), spilt my cup of juce, my friends lafd at me. But only a few of these people exsis.
Why shood I get look downe.Why not get this chanse. My dreem since yong was to be smart like everone else, I just want to live a normal life.I also do not want to be lafd at at all.
With intelligens, i will be able to help others, to show themb that i can also be like everione else. I also want to have frends so that i can not alwas be so lonly. I would like to make frends but i dun no how. I have never walk out on the streets with anione else. why cant i walk with a frend.
So what if the exparemant dos not work. As long as I no that I have triyd. Why be lausy when there is a chanse to be smart. At leest I get to enjoi the feeling of being smart for onse. The luxeri that not everione can enjoi, I will be hapy.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Blog Prompt-Little Ironies-The Taximan's Story
1)The irony in the story is that the taxi driver whilst on one hand is criticising the behaviour of some of the teenagers, he is also trying to earn money from these same group of people.
2)The themes raised include:
- Parenting
- After school behaviour of some teenagers
- Ethics and Money
3)The story is based on a situation that might have happened before. However, I think that the taxi driver may have exaggerated some of the details regarding the behaviour of the children.
4)One one hand, I feel sorry for the taximan as he is working very hard to save money to allow his beloved daughter to have a university education, yet his daughter had mislead the father into thinking that she is studying hard after school. Instead, she spent her time unwisely whilst the father is hard at work. But, though he is working hard, I do not like his way of earning money from the same teenagers that he is talking about.
5)He had labelled the young people nowadays as being full of trouble, but I do not think that all young people behaved in this manner.
6)I can sympathize with the taximan's daughter as she had wasted a lot of her time doing unwise things. Most of all, she had lost the trust of her father and mother!!
(My apologies for handing in the work late as I was sick today)
2)The themes raised include:
- Parenting
- After school behaviour of some teenagers
- Ethics and Money
3)The story is based on a situation that might have happened before. However, I think that the taxi driver may have exaggerated some of the details regarding the behaviour of the children.
4)One one hand, I feel sorry for the taximan as he is working very hard to save money to allow his beloved daughter to have a university education, yet his daughter had mislead the father into thinking that she is studying hard after school. Instead, she spent her time unwisely whilst the father is hard at work. But, though he is working hard, I do not like his way of earning money from the same teenagers that he is talking about.
5)He had labelled the young people nowadays as being full of trouble, but I do not think that all young people behaved in this manner.
6)I can sympathize with the taximan's daughter as she had wasted a lot of her time doing unwise things. Most of all, she had lost the trust of her father and mother!!
(My apologies for handing in the work late as I was sick today)
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