being a sec one student for the first semester

I have finally found out something.

I have found out that secondary school life was after all quite 'slack'. I did not really work very hard to get this kind of results. It was just like PSLE, playing all day and just mugging before the test date. I have found out that it was quite fast to travel around Singapore. I initially thought that from my house to my school, it would take one hour. However, it turned out that it only took 45 minutes. I have tried out different bus and MRT routes and found myself to be more independent. I have found out that learning a third language was after all not very difficult and learnt to enjoy while studying it. I have tasted how it feels like to leave school late, and my record was at 8 p.m. I have learnt that to juggle 7 subjects, I had to prioritise time well and not procrastinate. I also have found out that it is essential to set some time out for relaxation; now I am watching War and Beauty on channel 48.

I found out that I like humanities, which contained bits and pieces of information that were intriguing. I found out that English was challenging and learnt to become a critical thinker through studying literature. I found out that maths was the same to me, interesting yet complicated. I found out that primary school Chinese was nothing compared to secondary one. I found out that in order to do well in infocomm studies, I had to listen to that teacher where to copy his template from. I found out that I dislike science and find it troublesome to memorise the periodic table. I learn to appreciate art and master, excel in it. I found that music was very difficult compared to the past although I am have a music background.

I found out that teachers were quite nice in secondary school, not so naggy yet more knowledgeable (not trying to insult my primary school teachers). I found out that my mentor was after all quite friendly and forces us to do work in an organised manner. I found out that I must run down the canteen immediately when the bell rings. I learnt how to grab the computer before anyone else gets it. I learnt to use sarcasm as my weapon to attack people who are physically stronger than me. I learnt to take 170 instead of 67 when going home and forbid myself to board 156 until Circle Line opens. I learnt to choose the right door on the MRT to alight so as to rush up to catch the bus which arrives at the same time as the MRT.

My plans? 1. to improve my English to A1, which is quite impossible, to pull my MSG to 1.0 (:

2. to max up my ACEs as fast as possible

3. learn to be self-controlled

4. try to like my science teacher

5. be less sarcastic

6. prevent H1N1 from entering Singapore

8. blog more

7. read more books

9. watch more TV

10. go less online

Farewell Term 2/Semester 1! Au revoir!

If you could eliminate one emotion from the world, would you? Which one? Why?

emotion: a strong feeling such as love or anger, or strong feelings in general.

Fear. I would choose fear.

If everyone lives in fear of being eaten, or retrenched, or betrayed, then what is the point of living? Life should be cheerful and happy, with some downturns. Fear. Like the animals in Animal Farm. They feared that if they voiced out their own opinions, they would get punishments from Napoleon. As a result, their lives got worse instead of the better. I dislike this emotion a lot as I was always in fear during my young childhood days. I did not dare to ask questions, nor point out other people's mistakes. Ms Soh, now you know why I do not participate actively in class. I have a phobia of voicing out during English lessons. I was afraid of getting scolded by teachers in case I said anything wrong. Especially English. Now I have somehow overcome it by posting this post.

Fear. What if everyone fears that they would not have enough food tomorrow, or would lose their jobs? Then the world would not be a happy place anymore. People fret all day long and cannot concentrate on what they are doing. Is that useful? Does that benefit the whole society? The people in Singapore during the Japanese occupation lived in mistrust and fear lest they get caught by the Japanese to Sook Ching, or a place to get killed. Does that make life easier? Fear comes with suspicion. Everyone suspects that the opposition has something to hide. Hence, they report them. Is this an ideal place to live then? I believe that a lot of knowledgeable people would rather take their own lives than to live in this kind of situation. We also would not want to break our family relationships. With fear, we would accuse someone for things that go wrong. Everyone would definitely not like to live in this kind of home.

Fear, go away.

concert

Although it is already over, I still feel compelled to write this: I finally know how a concert looks like and how it flows. I can still feel the warmth that the concert has brought to me, and I can also feel how a Victorian concert will feel like. This is because I was in Victoria Concert Hall. I learnt how to appreciate concerts and learnt how it was like. I thought it was like the Tan Kah Kee show, where there was no interval. This performance showed me the proper etiquette of being in there although some inconsiderate people still used handphones. I would have liked to go up to stop him, but I did not want to start a commotion. Did he not know how it feels to be on stage and see a person distracted by other things?

As a performer myself, I know how it feels.

I feel offended when people sleep in the middle of performances. They give me the impression of us singing so boringly and have no taste. As I think about it, I can only shake my head. Let's talk about more positive things. An old man sitting beside me suddenly said in Chinese," It is very exciting, isn't it?" I nodded my head and smiled at him.

At that moment, I felt my heart melt and could feel the warmth between an old man and a young teenager.

I could feel the old man enjoying the performance although i did not have the power to telepathy. His comments made me feel relieved. At least some people appreciate performances and know the proper etiquette. Hence, I want to tell all the blog readers, be considerate and you will get more than you expect.

mother's day

to all the mothers in the world: Happy Mother's Day!



On mother's day, what do we actually do? We give them flowers, buy them chocolates and make them cards. But what is the meaning behind all this? Why do we only present them with these gifts on this very day? So are we hypocrites? Giving them these presents just to be with the crowd? In my opinion, everyday should be a mother's day. We should thank our mothers just after she has helped us, or cook for us. We should also repay them by getting good results, or helping them with chores.

Talking about chores, I think it is everybody's responsibility. i have read on the newspapers that nowadays a lot of kids do not housework as either they have maids or they are just too spoilt. I think all parents should make their kids do work from young. For example, I was always instructed by my mother to wash the dishes, hence even when I am very busy, I would try to take an initiative to help her. That is how we can celebrate mother's day everyday. Giving her a cup of water when she is resting can also make a perfect gift. The water will taste sweet somehow and she would thank you profusely and you can feel your heart melting instantly. Hence, tell your mother this, "Thank you!"

H1N1 flu (aka swine flu)

Primary 1 --> SARS

Secondary 1 --> H1N1 flu

Creepy or what? Why has this kind of epidemic happen to me once I am adapting to a new environment? Now we have to go through this all over again. Temperature-taking, blah blah blah. WHO has increased the level to orange. Duh. Does this kind of level have any impact on our lives. Orange or black or green, we still have to go on with our lives. However, complacency comes in too. Do we trust ourselves too much just for the reason we were well-experienced since SARS? We should take more precaution though. I think that prevention is better that cure. If we just don't do silly things such as putting our fingers into our mouth, then there would be no need for any vaccine etc. By doing that, we are actually mutating the virus and we have to create a new one when perhaps fish flu (touch wood) comes. Hmmmm... our school tells us to stay at home if we are sick. That means that we would learn fewer things and skip lessons. Would I rather take the risk to go to school or stay at home doing nothing? Of course the former. I can't really comment on this as we are in a competitive school. Missing lessons means that you would lose to others. However, we still must be considerate to others. Do to others what you want others to do unto you. That sounds reasonable. But am I creating a propaganda tool for myself? that is something to think about. I am using this statement to persuade myself. Isn't that glittering generalities? Hmmm... I think that is just personal basic values. Just. Oh yes. E-learning. Thank goodness technology has improved. E-learning is possible in times of emergency like this. However, there are still pros and cons about this. (I will separate this topic in another post) Nevertheless, it is still a good back-up. OK. I will end my post here. Wishing everyone the best in preventing this flu!

may

It is now May.

Labour Day.

A new month, new resolutions.

1. Of course, to blog more frequently. I did not even blog in April. I hope my ACEs have not flown away... I will blog starting tomorrow, with fresh topics in my mind.

2. Sleep earlier. I know this sounds quite contradicting, as it is 11.30 now. I think my target would be 10.30. (considering I sleep at 12 everyday)

3. Relax more. I found out that in April, the test month, I had not enjoyed myself to an adequate extent. I think I would chat more on MSN or read more books. :)

4. Be immune to H1N1 virus. Go less frequently to public places. (that will mean less trips to the library... ) I hope Singapore will not be launched into a pandemic where everyone is frantic and kiasu.

I think that is all for my resolutions. I will work to it especially the first one. See you tomorrow (which is 30 min away)!