I'm sad that with the end of the exams, most of you will not be studying literature anymore; perhaps 90% or more of you will not read the subject for the rest of your life.
But I think reading literature can still be a part of your life! So long as you carry on reading, whether it's the newspapers, storybooks, or even reports and essays, and you think about them critically and carefully, you are doing literary studies. You examine the language to see what the author wants to make you feel, try to guess their intention, and analyse the issues that the reading talks about the standpoint that the writer is presenting.
And ultimately, that's what I want you to bring away from your literature studies - to read with an open and questioning mind. Be empowered by knowledge, think about everything yourself and make your own conclusions. Be aware when people are trying to persuade/coerce/influence you,and be an independent judge of things. These skills are useful everywhere and for everything you do.
I love literature so passionately because I'm amazed at the eloquent way the classic literature writers can express their ideas so well, whether in essay or story forms. They make me think deep and hard about life and all the tough and complicated issues, and it always make me realise how complex and interesting the world is. It keeps me curious and makes me a knowledgeable person.
And I hope that through my lessons, you will feel a little bit of all these feelings too...
Friday, May 22, 2009
Putting things into perspective...
Anyone out there enjoy your chicken rice?
It's quite a nice dish isn't it? Thoroughly Singaporean too, though it supposedly come from the Hainanese or wherever - I'm surprised I haven't seen a poem written on it before. The best chicken rice I know of is one beside Bishan bus interchange, with a long snaking queue always.
So I was at Bishan Junction 8 shopping mall just now, and I bought a piece of pandan-kayak cake from Bengawan Solo - $2 for a small piece! They could have cut 12 pieces of that from one whole cake! And I was thinking to myself...this small piece of cake costs the same as a plate of chicken rice!
So the humble chicken rice becomes a symbol of thrift - People buy it as a cheap but good and very satisfying meal, and now when I buy things I always think about how many chicken rice lunches it cost.
If we adopt this thinking whenever we want to spend on something that might not be useful after all, perhaps it could save us all quite a bit! Ultimately, thinking with such a perspective helps us understand people whom are less fortunate than us and can't spend as carelessly as most of us do, and that's a very humbling thought!
It's quite a nice dish isn't it? Thoroughly Singaporean too, though it supposedly come from the Hainanese or wherever - I'm surprised I haven't seen a poem written on it before. The best chicken rice I know of is one beside Bishan bus interchange, with a long snaking queue always.
So I was at Bishan Junction 8 shopping mall just now, and I bought a piece of pandan-kayak cake from Bengawan Solo - $2 for a small piece! They could have cut 12 pieces of that from one whole cake! And I was thinking to myself...this small piece of cake costs the same as a plate of chicken rice!
So the humble chicken rice becomes a symbol of thrift - People buy it as a cheap but good and very satisfying meal, and now when I buy things I always think about how many chicken rice lunches it cost.
If we adopt this thinking whenever we want to spend on something that might not be useful after all, perhaps it could save us all quite a bit! Ultimately, thinking with such a perspective helps us understand people whom are less fortunate than us and can't spend as carelessly as most of us do, and that's a very humbling thought!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Doing well in Literature!
A disclaimer first - For my Express classes, I did not set your exam question, so I can only prepare you the best way I can and you'll have to give your best show when the big day comes on the 14th of May. For my 2N3, you know my papers are usually rather difficult, so you be prepared for it!
What I can tell you all is this - I will be marking more than 50%++ of all the Sec 2 lit papers, so that means chances are that I'll be marking yours. I have strict standards, and have no qualms about failing people who do not put in effort. I repeat - ignorance is most often due to a lack of effort to find out, and a lack of effort is inexcusable in the exams.
So, a few tips.
BTW, here's a good resource for studying Macbeth, which is arguably the more difficult play to read.
What I can tell you all is this - I will be marking more than 50%++ of all the Sec 2 lit papers, so that means chances are that I'll be marking yours. I have strict standards, and have no qualms about failing people who do not put in effort. I repeat - ignorance is most often due to a lack of effort to find out, and a lack of effort is inexcusable in the exams.
So, a few tips.
- Write as much as you can. Your marks depends on it. You wouldn't be penalised for writing wrong things, at this level anyway. The more you write, or the more your brainjuice flows, the higher the chances of you getting some points right.
- You can write as long as you want, but at the same time keep to the essay format. That means you use separate paragraphs when talking about each different point. If you confuse me by writing nonstop in a chunk of text...just don't confuse me la huh.
- Know your stuff. Know the names of your Shakespearean characters, what happens when, and how the stories end. These are the basics. If you get them wrong, your whole essay will be in danger.
- For unseen poetry, highlight key words and scribble related ideas/images/pictures to them. Use your imagination, and you will be able to understand the whole poem better. Put yourself in the poet's shoes, and try to imagine what the poet is thinking and feeling. Read the poem silently, and see how it sounds like. You got to live it!
- Finally, many questions will ask you for your opinion, and when asked so, you will not only have to 1) give your opinion, but also 2) list down the reasons why you say this, and then 3) have good evidence from the text/poem to prove that each of the reason is correct.
BTW, here's a good resource for studying Macbeth, which is arguably the more difficult play to read.
Watching sports live!
These days, I have been taking time out every weekend to catch some live floorball action at the Tampines Sports Hall, where teams from the floorball league will play each other on all of Saturday and Sunday.
It's exciting to watch, the action is really fast, and you can see amazing skills exhibited by the players throughout the match, glimpses of brilliance amidst the mad rush for the small white ball. Watching such great games, I often wonder how long they take to master these skills to be able to use them fluently in competition.
Except for the really talented, most of us will need to put in hard work to learn just about anything useful. Lots of effort during practice, lots of practice sessions, and also, lots of mistakes need to be made before you can do it well, whatever 'it' is.
Then what's the difference between the good and the not-so-good? The desire to master the skill perhaps - how much do you really want to master 'it'? A few years back, I played canoe polo, and I try my best to achieve the target of being the best in my team. Back then, I really can't understand why some team mates will want to play in competitions even though they don't turn up for training much. To me, there's only 2 options - try hard to be good, or don't do it at all if you don't really want it that much.
So do you want 'it' (whatever 'it' is to you) bad enough to want to put in your best effort?
It's exciting to watch, the action is really fast, and you can see amazing skills exhibited by the players throughout the match, glimpses of brilliance amidst the mad rush for the small white ball. Watching such great games, I often wonder how long they take to master these skills to be able to use them fluently in competition.
Except for the really talented, most of us will need to put in hard work to learn just about anything useful. Lots of effort during practice, lots of practice sessions, and also, lots of mistakes need to be made before you can do it well, whatever 'it' is.
Then what's the difference between the good and the not-so-good? The desire to master the skill perhaps - how much do you really want to master 'it'? A few years back, I played canoe polo, and I try my best to achieve the target of being the best in my team. Back then, I really can't understand why some team mates will want to play in competitions even though they don't turn up for training much. To me, there's only 2 options - try hard to be good, or don't do it at all if you don't really want it that much.
So do you want 'it' (whatever 'it' is to you) bad enough to want to put in your best effort?
Monday, April 20, 2009
Go green!
Here's a picture of a plant I got about a month ago from Ikea. At the time I bought it, it was really cute; all the leaves were standing uniformly tall like the beansprouts we eat, with mostly identical-sized round leaves.With some tender loving care from me, it has now grown bigger. Some stalks are standing much taller, some extending to the side beyond the small pot, and the leaves are definitely larger. On Fridays, I will water it a little more, and put them in this conference room behind my office table, where it can get some sunlight during the weekend.
Isn't it ironic to know that this plant, this life, costs only $1.50? That is exactly the same price as the saucer below the pot which I bought together with it. Humans are really filling the world with cheap and useless things, consuming endless resources in the process, while neglecting to treasure those things that are alive and precious.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Congratulations!
...to our Dance and Concert Band for clinching the Silver medal in the SYF competition!
The awards show that we are really improving in our skills through the years, and it's good to know that we are developing ourselves as better dancers/musicians as we become better students too through our CCAs.
I got a silver in the SYF too when I was in the concert band during secondary school. It was a let down considering that my seniors managed that too, but somehow in my heart I knew that perhaps a year is not enough to go from silver to gold. Even I could tell that technically, my band is not able to pull off this difficult piece that our conductor choose for us then.
Nonetheless, I really treasure my experiences with the band, and my secondary school life memory revolves around my CCA's activities mostly. In the years to come after you leave PHSS, I hope you have great memories of being in your CCA too.
Love your CCA! My biggest regret is that I didn't carry on playing the trombone when I was in NYJC; that will have changed my life a lot.
(You can hear my band's choice piece Canto Forma from TRN music.com)
The awards show that we are really improving in our skills through the years, and it's good to know that we are developing ourselves as better dancers/musicians as we become better students too through our CCAs.
I got a silver in the SYF too when I was in the concert band during secondary school. It was a let down considering that my seniors managed that too, but somehow in my heart I knew that perhaps a year is not enough to go from silver to gold. Even I could tell that technically, my band is not able to pull off this difficult piece that our conductor choose for us then.
Nonetheless, I really treasure my experiences with the band, and my secondary school life memory revolves around my CCA's activities mostly. In the years to come after you leave PHSS, I hope you have great memories of being in your CCA too.
Love your CCA! My biggest regret is that I didn't carry on playing the trombone when I was in NYJC; that will have changed my life a lot.
(You can hear my band's choice piece Canto Forma from TRN music.com)
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Poetry
I really hope you guys will end up loving poetry as much as I enjoy them!
Truth to tell, poetry is often hard to 'understand' but it will bring rewards to the patient reader who reads it over and over again. Like most good art pieces, it takes a while to learn to appreciate them - after all, there's nothing interesting about something if we 'get' it completely the first time! Simple poetry have a message, good poetry simply reflects on things, so there's really nothing much to 'understand'.
Think of poetry as verbal painting - let the words suggest different pictures to you, and put these pictures together, and let your imagination wander through all these images. Daydream with the words, think of the place, the time, the events described. That's what good poetry do, help you dream and imagine.
Just an example of a poem that I like, the kind that makes me think and dream...
Gift - Czeslaw Milosz
A day so happy.
Fog lifted early, I worked in the garden.
Hummingbirds were stopping over honeysuckle flowers.
There was no thing on Earth that I wanted to possess.
I knew no one worth my envying him.
Whatever evil I had suffered, I forget.
To think that once I was the same man did not embarrass me.
In my body I felt no pain.
When straightening, I see the blue sea and sails.
Truth to tell, poetry is often hard to 'understand' but it will bring rewards to the patient reader who reads it over and over again. Like most good art pieces, it takes a while to learn to appreciate them - after all, there's nothing interesting about something if we 'get' it completely the first time! Simple poetry have a message, good poetry simply reflects on things, so there's really nothing much to 'understand'.
Think of poetry as verbal painting - let the words suggest different pictures to you, and put these pictures together, and let your imagination wander through all these images. Daydream with the words, think of the place, the time, the events described. That's what good poetry do, help you dream and imagine.
Just an example of a poem that I like, the kind that makes me think and dream...
Gift - Czeslaw Milosz
A day so happy.
Fog lifted early, I worked in the garden.
Hummingbirds were stopping over honeysuckle flowers.
There was no thing on Earth that I wanted to possess.
I knew no one worth my envying him.
Whatever evil I had suffered, I forget.
To think that once I was the same man did not embarrass me.
In my body I felt no pain.
When straightening, I see the blue sea and sails.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Hello again, world!
Sorry for the silence due to the recent lack of posts here - I'm at the same time heartened by the attention that this blog receives, and apologetic for not writing more here. Truth to tell, I'm undergoing a lot of changes in my personal life this period of time, and trying to juggle all the things I have to do really sucks up my waking hours.
In fact, I haven't been
In fact, I haven't been
- watching tv for months (was never a TV addict my whole life, and before I got SCV I go months without watching any TV)
- playing much sports - there used to be a time I would play badminton twice a week, play canoe polo twice also, and do rock climbing on Saturdays. Now I only stick to badminton, and hardly ever get to go paddling much
- on Facebook still, after all this hype. In fact, I never was on Friendster too, and this is my one and only blog still. I'm quite an IT dinosaur, but only because I don't have time for these.
- playing any computer games since secondary school - I never had any Sega/Nintendo/Playstation/Xbox etc...
- able to watch the movies I want to catch, like Slumdog millionaire, Watchman, Suspect X, Gran Torino...and Wolverine's coming soon!
Wrapping up Drama module
These few weeks doing the drama presentation have been a period of ups and downs for me.
Truth to tell, I didn't know how much commitment I'm going to get from everyone, because many a times I don't see a seriousness in the planning stages of the project. Maybe some are uncomfortable with the idea, don't know what exactly needs to be planned, or the fact that it's CA marks up for grabs just didn't make an impact.
Then I see panic when the performance date draws near. People start to come up to me to ask sensible and relevant questions. I start to see props being brought along for rehearsal sessions. After the first round of performances (after which I'll do a Simon Cowell like I'm on American Idol), many of you finally realised how particular I am regarding the use of scripts, costumes, props, positioning and movements etc.
In the end, I am really heartened to see so much effort from many of you, the creative ideas you have, the colourful props you used. I am really glad to know that most of you appreciated Shakespeare more after the experience, and that you find it fulfilling after all!
Most of all, treasure this memory of your performance, for many of you, this might be the first and last time you will ever try to do a performance. You'll no doubt look back fondly on this memory, after you leave Pei Hwa...
Truth to tell, I didn't know how much commitment I'm going to get from everyone, because many a times I don't see a seriousness in the planning stages of the project. Maybe some are uncomfortable with the idea, don't know what exactly needs to be planned, or the fact that it's CA marks up for grabs just didn't make an impact.
Then I see panic when the performance date draws near. People start to come up to me to ask sensible and relevant questions. I start to see props being brought along for rehearsal sessions. After the first round of performances (after which I'll do a Simon Cowell like I'm on American Idol), many of you finally realised how particular I am regarding the use of scripts, costumes, props, positioning and movements etc.
In the end, I am really heartened to see so much effort from many of you, the creative ideas you have, the colourful props you used. I am really glad to know that most of you appreciated Shakespeare more after the experience, and that you find it fulfilling after all!
Most of all, treasure this memory of your performance, for many of you, this might be the first and last time you will ever try to do a performance. You'll no doubt look back fondly on this memory, after you leave Pei Hwa...
Friday, March 13, 2009
Is the internet making us stupid?
Seems that besides myself, there are also experts who believe that that is the case. BBC news website have this news article where people (including you!) can contribute and say what they think about the subject.
I notice that many students in the school has quite an active life online, and at this moment there is no evidence that spending time on the internet can make people smarter. Yes, you get little bits of information here and there, but that certainly will not make you an expert! One can argue that it is also possible to read enough information on the internet to make yourself an expert in any subject, but then again, that is unlikely. We all tend to have very short concentration span when we read webpages.
The reality is, the best stories and the most informative articles are still found in books. It takes a lot of money to print books, and no publisher will print them unless they think it is of a certain quality, whereas anyone can publish any type of information they like online. You will need to start doing research in libraries after secondary school, and the information you find there will probably not be available online too.
My life today has been very largely shaped by the books that I read - read on for a good future!
I notice that many students in the school has quite an active life online, and at this moment there is no evidence that spending time on the internet can make people smarter. Yes, you get little bits of information here and there, but that certainly will not make you an expert! One can argue that it is also possible to read enough information on the internet to make yourself an expert in any subject, but then again, that is unlikely. We all tend to have very short concentration span when we read webpages.
The reality is, the best stories and the most informative articles are still found in books. It takes a lot of money to print books, and no publisher will print them unless they think it is of a certain quality, whereas anyone can publish any type of information they like online. You will need to start doing research in libraries after secondary school, and the information you find there will probably not be available online too.
My life today has been very largely shaped by the books that I read - read on for a good future!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Marks and heartache
Like many of you, I am disappointed by the marks that I have to scrawl on your common test papers. I had to mark with honesty and integrity, but all the same, it is rather heartbreaking to have to give out scripts with dismal scores. I am really convinced that most of you know the two plays really really well, just that you need to really focus and remind yourself to answer the question in every paragraph.
I really think I am a reasonable marker - I am equally predisposed to giving 21+ marks for essays with clear arguments as I am to giving failing marks to scripts which does everything but address the question. What do I mean by "clear arguments"? It simply means this - a structured essay which have good arguments in each every paragraph that clearly answers the question.
Structured essay - written in the proper format, with a introduction and conclusion that answers the question and summarises all main points.
Good arguments - valid and logical points that are supported by evidence or examples.
Paragraphs that answer question - End of each paragraph show explain why the point in the particular paragraph answers the question.
I do have to admit that what I'm teaching you is not easy at all - I definitely never recalled any teacher teaching me how to write essays (for literature or other subjects) during my school days, and I was just lucky to know how to write properly without guidance.
Never hesitate to ask me if you want to find out how you can improve your grades! It is all up to you!
I really think I am a reasonable marker - I am equally predisposed to giving 21+ marks for essays with clear arguments as I am to giving failing marks to scripts which does everything but address the question. What do I mean by "clear arguments"? It simply means this - a structured essay which have good arguments in each every paragraph that clearly answers the question.
Structured essay - written in the proper format, with a introduction and conclusion that answers the question and summarises all main points.
Good arguments - valid and logical points that are supported by evidence or examples.
Paragraphs that answer question - End of each paragraph show explain why the point in the particular paragraph answers the question.
I do have to admit that what I'm teaching you is not easy at all - I definitely never recalled any teacher teaching me how to write essays (for literature or other subjects) during my school days, and I was just lucky to know how to write properly without guidance.
Never hesitate to ask me if you want to find out how you can improve your grades! It is all up to you!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Hello again...
Hi guys, sorry I've been away for quite a while. The teachers are busy with marking and other admin stuff, and there's lots happening with my personal life as well.
So, just a short update - Next week I'll be away from Monday to Wednesday because of the Sec 3 camp, and so will let you guys do something on Poetry for one of the day, while you can plan for your drama the other day, and when I'm back on Thursday. Please please settle the scripts and start proper rehearsals to make sure everything will run good on performance day!
Performance week will be in Week 1 of Term 2 after the March holidays.
I'll miss teaching you guys Ultimate in PE then!
So, just a short update - Next week I'll be away from Monday to Wednesday because of the Sec 3 camp, and so will let you guys do something on Poetry for one of the day, while you can plan for your drama the other day, and when I'm back on Thursday. Please please settle the scripts and start proper rehearsals to make sure everything will run good on performance day!
Performance week will be in Week 1 of Term 2 after the March holidays.
I'll miss teaching you guys Ultimate in PE then!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Boy Wonder
Look at this 6 year old boy playing soccer!
This boy, and other young sporting geniuses like gymnasts, always remind me of how wonderfully adaptable children are. Really, given opportunities and good training, it seems that there is no limit to what children can achieve.
And what about those of us who have grown past that age? Are we unable to pick up amazing skills like these? We definitely can, I think! But the difference is that for us we'll be more aware of how much hard work we need to put it, and in many case, that will deter us from reaching our goals.
Believe in whatever you want to achieve! With enough effort, nothing is impossible (or as Adidas say, Impossible is Nothing).
This boy, and other young sporting geniuses like gymnasts, always remind me of how wonderfully adaptable children are. Really, given opportunities and good training, it seems that there is no limit to what children can achieve.
And what about those of us who have grown past that age? Are we unable to pick up amazing skills like these? We definitely can, I think! But the difference is that for us we'll be more aware of how much hard work we need to put it, and in many case, that will deter us from reaching our goals.
Believe in whatever you want to achieve! With enough effort, nothing is impossible (or as Adidas say, Impossible is Nothing).
Themes of Macbeth
Hi all, Ms Audrey Sim has again come up with a very useful resource for you that talks about the major themes in Macbeth here, do download and take a look at it!
If some of you are wondering why I'm not printing all these for everyone, it is because I think I'll only be wasting paper if people are not interested in reading them (and it's a lot of paper to print all these for all my classes!). If you guys are interested about the subject, and love to pop up here and see what's new, I think you guys are the one who would find these resources useful. Use them well!
If some of you are wondering why I'm not printing all these for everyone, it is because I think I'll only be wasting paper if people are not interested in reading them (and it's a lot of paper to print all these for all my classes!). If you guys are interested about the subject, and love to pop up here and see what's new, I think you guys are the one who would find these resources useful. Use them well!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Shakespearean texts
Hey all, I've managed to find the original Shakespearean texts for Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet with translations, so that you can clear some confusion about the language. But really, what shakespeare wrote was not very different from the way we use our language now, and that is why so many people in the world are still reading him 400 years on.
One of my favourite poet, T.S. Eliot, said that the poem "should be enjoyed even before it is understood", and I think it's the same with all arts. Hear the rhythm in the lines that the actors speak, and appreciate the colourful varied ways in which he describes things. I actually don't have a high opinion of the lit text that you guys are reading now; it's only a start to get you introduced to his art!
One of my favourite poet, T.S. Eliot, said that the poem "should be enjoyed even before it is understood", and I think it's the same with all arts. Hear the rhythm in the lines that the actors speak, and appreciate the colourful varied ways in which he describes things. I actually don't have a high opinion of the lit text that you guys are reading now; it's only a start to get you introduced to his art!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
From the source
A scene on Tama river, picture from japanwindow.comAfter lunch, she met up with a guide, and they both went hiking up the hills; by that time, they couldn't really see the river anymore. So where is it? The guide shows her a small rock face hanging over the ground, overgrown with moss. Dew on the moss drips into ground every few seconds, and it is from there that the river starts flowing.
Picture from http://www.pbase.com/mdish/image/55131391It is something amazing, that a river big enough to be dammed starts from droplets on moss. At the same time I wonder about this incredible fact, I am humbled by the reminder that all great things starts really small. Perhaps we all can start to gather up our small daily efforts into something great we desire, right from today?
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Was Lady Macbeth murdered too??!?
There's an actress playing the role of Lady Macbeth in the US who was thinking about the fate of her character, and she suggested that perhaps...Macbeth murdered her too! Read more about this scandal here!
Maybe someone can write a script about this and perform it for the dramatisation project!
Maybe someone can write a script about this and perform it for the dramatisation project!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Some resources
I include here the texts for the plays, perhaps you can use them, though I think the links I posted previously would be easier to read than the originals here because there is a translation there.
Miss Audrey Sim has kindly shared the following resources about the texts, and they are mightily useful! Please do download it and take a look. If you don't understand any point inside, ask me!
Texts of plays in Word files
Resources
By the way, I hope you guys can help to spread the blog links, not because I want to be popular and have my blog read far and wide, but because I think there can be useful stuff here that will be good for everyone. Do check back once in a while to see what's here!
Miss Audrey Sim has kindly shared the following resources about the texts, and they are mightily useful! Please do download it and take a look. If you don't understand any point inside, ask me!
Texts of plays in Word files
Resources
By the way, I hope you guys can help to spread the blog links, not because I want to be popular and have my blog read far and wide, but because I think there can be useful stuff here that will be good for everyone. Do check back once in a while to see what's here!
Drama Assignment
Hi all, I hope everyone is excited with getting involved in the drama project! I think it's a good change from our normal essay-writing type of work, and I want to see good effort and creative work from everyone!
Don't worry too much about not being able to perform - the script can help you if you remember your lines well. Just be confident and throw your whole mind into it, and you'll be so absorbed and totally into the role then.
Remember that the preparation is the major part of the work! If you are not prepared things will not go well, and I can say that your effort in preparing every details will show up during the performance.
Again, have fun!
Don't worry too much about not being able to perform - the script can help you if you remember your lines well. Just be confident and throw your whole mind into it, and you'll be so absorbed and totally into the role then.
Remember that the preparation is the major part of the work! If you are not prepared things will not go well, and I can say that your effort in preparing every details will show up during the performance.
Again, have fun!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
60 Seconds Macbeth!
Want a quick summary of the story and characters of Macbeth? Take a look at this "60 seconds Macbeth" news!
(Note - do know that this, of course, will not be adequate for you to answer my devious essay questions in literature tests and exams!)
(Note - do know that this, of course, will not be adequate for you to answer my devious essay questions in literature tests and exams!)
Friday, February 13, 2009
Gruesome Macbeth!
As I said in class, Macbeth as Shakespeare wrote it is an amazing piece of art - crazy rhymes by the witches, shocking twists of the plot, and tragic deaths everywhere. I found this website which actually takes the effort to list down all the gruesome/bloody/brutal things that happened in the play, amazing! I think this guy actually enjoyed it for all these, but then I guess we all like stories for different reasons. It's good to take note of how he quotes from the text when he writes though - it will be great if you can learn to do that too.
NOT FOR THE FAINT-HEARTED!
NOT FOR THE FAINT-HEARTED!
Happy Valentine's Day!
Hey everyone, have a great loving day tomorrow! Though I'm not supposed to encourage romantic relationships for you all, you can go ahead and show your love to your family, your pets, your friends, and your teachers too!
Here's some virtual flowers for you all, have fun!
Here's some virtual flowers for you all, have fun!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
A trip to Bukit Timah
I happen to have the chance to tag along a friend's trekking training session at Bukit Timah hill last Saturday, and it was nice to take a walk in the jungle, something I have not done before (previously I only walked up on the concrete path).
It was surprising what I saw inside - there are 2 of these secret-tunnel type entrances along the trail, and I don't really where they lead to actually. But it's not surprising - many hills are tactical positions which are important to hold in the military context, and probably they were important during WWII.
There's also this small stream of water flowing into this concrete pool before trickling off downhill through a small outlet. What's it for? Perhaps you can tell me...
A cute plant seedling with cute leaves, very pretty.Go take a walk there with your family if you have a morning to spare - it'll reward you with natural wonders, peace and a good workout!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Romeo and Juliet screening today
Oh people, you guys missed a good show today!
There was only like 10 of us at the AV theatre (including me), but it was a great show nonetheless. The beginning was wild and exaggerated, and you can't believe how much they changed the setting of the play. Because we didn't read the original text, perhaps you might not catch all of what they said. Still, i think the movie did a great job in showing you how natural the dramatic speeches can sound when someone actually act it out.
The lovers were crazy over each other, but the moments they had together was tender and beautiful, and you really don't get the sense that they are rash and impulsive about their love. Richard Wagner's famous music, the Overture to Tristan and Isolde (another tragic love story), was playing softly in the background after Juliet shot herself, and it almost moved me to tears; well, it definitely gave me a very heavy heart, if nothing else.
It will be good to watch it if you have the chance, because it can help you have an idea of how to do your own performance; that's what your project assignment in week 8-10 will be about!
There was only like 10 of us at the AV theatre (including me), but it was a great show nonetheless. The beginning was wild and exaggerated, and you can't believe how much they changed the setting of the play. Because we didn't read the original text, perhaps you might not catch all of what they said. Still, i think the movie did a great job in showing you how natural the dramatic speeches can sound when someone actually act it out.
The lovers were crazy over each other, but the moments they had together was tender and beautiful, and you really don't get the sense that they are rash and impulsive about their love. Richard Wagner's famous music, the Overture to Tristan and Isolde (another tragic love story), was playing softly in the background after Juliet shot herself, and it almost moved me to tears; well, it definitely gave me a very heavy heart, if nothing else.
It will be good to watch it if you have the chance, because it can help you have an idea of how to do your own performance; that's what your project assignment in week 8-10 will be about!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Where did Cinderalla came from?
The answer? China!
Yes, the very first version of Cinderella came from a Tang Dynasty scholar named Tuan Cheng Shih, and it was published in a magazine-like book called You Yang Za Zu. Apparently it was the trend them for scholars to travel around and collect strange and interesting tales from their travels, and the story came from the
The story and the main character is called Yeh Hsien, and she was an orphan who was cruelly treated by her stepmother. She only had a fish as a pet, and one day her evil stepmother made a good meal out of it. Poor Yeh Hsien collected the bones and put it in a box, and that night the box started glowing, and the fish's spirit granted her wishes. The rest of the story is pretty much the same as Cinderalla, and you can read about it at this blog.
Apparently a few hundred years after that, a similar story appeared from an Italian writer, before the rest of the world each got their own versions. Apparently stories as well as goods were exchanged through the Silk Road. And how did I get to know this? I watched a documentary about this on National Geographic!
Yes, the very first version of Cinderella came from a Tang Dynasty scholar named Tuan Cheng Shih, and it was published in a magazine-like book called You Yang Za Zu. Apparently it was the trend them for scholars to travel around and collect strange and interesting tales from their travels, and the story came from the
The story and the main character is called Yeh Hsien, and she was an orphan who was cruelly treated by her stepmother. She only had a fish as a pet, and one day her evil stepmother made a good meal out of it. Poor Yeh Hsien collected the bones and put it in a box, and that night the box started glowing, and the fish's spirit granted her wishes. The rest of the story is pretty much the same as Cinderalla, and you can read about it at this blog.
Apparently a few hundred years after that, a similar story appeared from an Italian writer, before the rest of the world each got their own versions. Apparently stories as well as goods were exchanged through the Silk Road. And how did I get to know this? I watched a documentary about this on National Geographic!
Romeo and Juliet screening is on!
Hey everyone! I've booked the AV room for Romeo and Juliet screening on this Wednesday the 4th of February at 3pm sharp. I'll be there to open up the AV room and start the movie. Bring your friends along, but no popcorns!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Do we need mega-sized food?
I was quite shocked when I saw this on the MacDonald's menu recently, look at the size of it! And after a while, I started seeing Burger King having huge burgers like these too, and with the new 'prosperity' burger MacDonalds came up with this holiday season, they decided to mega-sized it too.I hope you guys know that fast food is processed food that is as unhealthy as it can get. To make that burger patty, meat parts has been minced up and all sorts of things added into it makes it a terrible food for nourishment and nutrition. And now they are trying to get you to eat 4 patties at one go, that's real madness! Don't fall for it!
Have a Happy New Year!
Hey everyone, hope your new year break was good! It wasn't a nice one for me at all, as for the other teachers, as we got lots to do; but at least I got to visit relatives of my extended family as usual, and had a good reunion dinner.
At different times, I had different feelings with regards to the New Year. When I was much younger, it was a happy time because I get to stuff myself with nice food and was delighted to get the ang baos, but after a while I thought that it was a rather boring holiday as there's no place to go after all that visiting (except to watch movies), and I couldn't understand why we have to go from house to house to visit, sitting there watching TV while waiting for the adults to finish their conversations. Do you think alike too?
But now that I'm sort of grown up already, I am starting to appreciate it all over again. Over the years I only see my cousins once a year during this time, and I realise I missed out on seeing them grow up. At least this holiday gives me a chance to stay in contact with them. Trust me, you will appreciate these traditional Chinese customs as you grow older!
At different times, I had different feelings with regards to the New Year. When I was much younger, it was a happy time because I get to stuff myself with nice food and was delighted to get the ang baos, but after a while I thought that it was a rather boring holiday as there's no place to go after all that visiting (except to watch movies), and I couldn't understand why we have to go from house to house to visit, sitting there watching TV while waiting for the adults to finish their conversations. Do you think alike too?
But now that I'm sort of grown up already, I am starting to appreciate it all over again. Over the years I only see my cousins once a year during this time, and I realise I missed out on seeing them grow up. At least this holiday gives me a chance to stay in contact with them. Trust me, you will appreciate these traditional Chinese customs as you grow older!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Obama Inauguration!
Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States, just had his first day at work yesterday. His inauguration ceremony (to make him a president) was one of the most watched event on TV on 20th January, and tickets for it were sold out in minutes.
Even I feel excited about him being president! We all should be, even though we are not Americans. His election showed that world that most of America has looked beyond racial differences to elect their first Black president, and it is a victory for democracy and meritocracy.
Let's hope it will be a smarter, more tolerant, and more environmentally-conscious world with more presidents like him!
Even I feel excited about him being president! We all should be, even though we are not Americans. His election showed that world that most of America has looked beyond racial differences to elect their first Black president, and it is a victory for democracy and meritocracy.
Let's hope it will be a smarter, more tolerant, and more environmentally-conscious world with more presidents like him!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Romeo and Juliet movie screening
Ok classes, I'm going to try show you the movie version of Romeo and Juliet, featuring the dashing Leonardo Di Caprio and the angelic Claire Danes. I am thinking of next week's Wednesday the 28th, as there are no CCAs on Wednesdays. I have to see if I can book a room for that though. Think it's a good idea/date? Let me know!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Can we think without words?
From Thirty Days to a More Power Vocabulary
Wilfred Funk and Norman Lewis
Without words you could make no decisions and form no judgments whatsoever. A pianist may have the most beautiful tunes in his head, but if he had only five keys on his piano he would never get more than a fraction of these tunes out.
Your words are your keys for your thoughts. And the more words you have at your command the deeper, clearer and more accurate will be your thinking.
A command of English will not only improve the processes of your mind. It will give you assurance; build your self-confidence; lend color to your personality; and increase your popularity.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Count Dracula
Some of you guys were asking me about the story ofp Dracula, and why he is a 'Count'. First of all, a 'Count' is a nobleman, people of the higher classes or the royalty, and it comes from the French word comte.
The story Dracula was modelled after a Romanian ruler called Vlad III, or more commonly as Vlad the Impaler. To cut a long story short, he was extremely cruel has a habit of executing any prisoners he takes in war by impaling them on tall stakes. In Romania's history, there was already legends of people who are 'undead', and this English writer Bram Stoker uses Vlad's nickname 'Vampire' to create this legend.
Dracula starts with a man called Jonathan Harker who goes to Count Dracula's castle to handle a property deal, but eventually, he find that the Count doesn't allow him to leave, and notices that he does not have reflections in mirrors and can climb down the steep walls of the castle like a bat. He also finds other vampires in the castle, but was saved from them by Dracula himself. After he escapes, his fiancee helped him recover from the trauma but she herself was bitten. With the help of scientist Van Helsing, they eventually managed to kill Dracula.
Interesting thing is, why would an English writer have the idea of writing a story about a Romanian monster? It was because at that time, Western Europe started to feel threatened by the Eastern European citizens, who started to migrate in to work and live. The story reflects the fear and suspicion that the English have of these strange people, by showing them as being weird gypsies and blood (money) suckers, to put it simply.
The story Dracula was modelled after a Romanian ruler called Vlad III, or more commonly as Vlad the Impaler. To cut a long story short, he was extremely cruel has a habit of executing any prisoners he takes in war by impaling them on tall stakes. In Romania's history, there was already legends of people who are 'undead', and this English writer Bram Stoker uses Vlad's nickname 'Vampire' to create this legend.
Dracula starts with a man called Jonathan Harker who goes to Count Dracula's castle to handle a property deal, but eventually, he find that the Count doesn't allow him to leave, and notices that he does not have reflections in mirrors and can climb down the steep walls of the castle like a bat. He also finds other vampires in the castle, but was saved from them by Dracula himself. After he escapes, his fiancee helped him recover from the trauma but she herself was bitten. With the help of scientist Van Helsing, they eventually managed to kill Dracula.
Interesting thing is, why would an English writer have the idea of writing a story about a Romanian monster? It was because at that time, Western Europe started to feel threatened by the Eastern European citizens, who started to migrate in to work and live. The story reflects the fear and suspicion that the English have of these strange people, by showing them as being weird gypsies and blood (money) suckers, to put it simply.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Should we start school later?
Now you all know I have not been a teacher for very long, and although I have by and large enjoyed my experiences of being with you all, there are some things that I am not used to, like having to wake up at 6am. I cannot stand my friends who complain about having to wake up 'early' for work when they only have to wake up at 8am.
Two days ago, a journalist of the Straits Times wrote an article to suggest that school starts later so that students can get smarter! Yes, it's actually old news that more sleep makes you more able to absorb information better, hence the 'smartness' increase.
I'll love to have that happen, because the truth is I'm a natural late sleeper and always sleep at midnight, so I'm not actually very energetic that early in the morning. And of course, if we start school at 9am, I can have time for a proper breakfast too (which also contributes to IQ!), and recess break will be just at lunchtime.
Would you like that? Why or why not?
Two days ago, a journalist of the Straits Times wrote an article to suggest that school starts later so that students can get smarter! Yes, it's actually old news that more sleep makes you more able to absorb information better, hence the 'smartness' increase.
I'll love to have that happen, because the truth is I'm a natural late sleeper and always sleep at midnight, so I'm not actually very energetic that early in the morning. And of course, if we start school at 9am, I can have time for a proper breakfast too (which also contributes to IQ!), and recess break will be just at lunchtime.
Would you like that? Why or why not?
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Ptolemy
Ptolemy was an ancient mathematician, astronomer, geographer and astrologer who was born in Roman Egypt.
He created astronomical charts to map out the paths of planets in motion, and establishes the Ptolemaic worldview where the earth is the center of the universe.
He also drew geographical maps of the lands discovered during his time, helping to establish the use of coordinates (latitudes and longitudes) in mapmaking. Above shows a world map that he created, and the map below is one of Southeast Asia (which is quite accurate isn't it?).
He also wrote about astrology and horoscopes which had an influences on religion. Isn't it amazing that ancient people can be so knowledgeable in so many different ways? Leonardo Da Vinci, was such a person too, and he was a scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, painter, sculptor, architect, botanist, musician and writer! We call these people polymaths.
He created astronomical charts to map out the paths of planets in motion, and establishes the Ptolemaic worldview where the earth is the center of the universe.
He also drew geographical maps of the lands discovered during his time, helping to establish the use of coordinates (latitudes and longitudes) in mapmaking. Above shows a world map that he created, and the map below is one of Southeast Asia (which is quite accurate isn't it?).
He also wrote about astrology and horoscopes which had an influences on religion. Isn't it amazing that ancient people can be so knowledgeable in so many different ways? Leonardo Da Vinci, was such a person too, and he was a scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, painter, sculptor, architect, botanist, musician and writer! We call these people polymaths.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Third-hand smoking!
We all know (I hope) that there's such a thing as second-hand smoke, which you get when you hand around smokers and breath in the smoke. This is actually supposed to be more toxic and poisonous than the smoking yourself, so we have learnt to stay far far away from cigarette smoke.
And now scientists tells us that there's third-hand smoke! Poisonous particles can stay on a smoker's clothes, hair and surrounding, which makes it dangerous for children who pick up things to suck or lick. Even breathing near such area can inhale these poisons!
Run for your lives (literally) if you see the smoke coming!
And now scientists tells us that there's third-hand smoke! Poisonous particles can stay on a smoker's clothes, hair and surrounding, which makes it dangerous for children who pick up things to suck or lick. Even breathing near such area can inhale these poisons!
Run for your lives (literally) if you see the smoke coming!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Why vulgarities should not be used in the classroom
I have been asked to provide an example of an argument by Lincoln, and he has very kindly helped to provide me a topic to argue about, so here it is!
Thesis Statement -
Vulgarities should not be used in the classroom because it is not appropriate to use crude languages in the school, or any where else, if we want to be responsible citizens of the society.
It also shows up the low level of maturity of the utterer, who have to resort to the use of crude words when they get upset or angry emotionally. They do not have discipline and self-control to control their own temper and feelings, and do not know how to resolve issues or release pent-up emotions in a proper manner.
Conclusion
Therefore, there is no place for vulgarities and crude words in the school because it is an academic institution and all students should aspire to be exemplary in conduct. Using vulgarities reflects poorly on a person's choice of language, self-discipline, control of emotions, character and moral values.
Thesis Statement -
Vulgarities should not be used in the classroom because it is not appropriate to use crude languages in the school, or any where else, if we want to be responsible citizens of the society.
- Crude languages do not have a place in academic institutions
- Every student have the right to a safe learning environment
- Using vulgarities will not reflect well on the student's character
It also shows up the low level of maturity of the utterer, who have to resort to the use of crude words when they get upset or angry emotionally. They do not have discipline and self-control to control their own temper and feelings, and do not know how to resolve issues or release pent-up emotions in a proper manner.
- Using vulgarities affect your ability to integrate into society as a responsible citizen
Conclusion
Therefore, there is no place for vulgarities and crude words in the school because it is an academic institution and all students should aspire to be exemplary in conduct. Using vulgarities reflects poorly on a person's choice of language, self-discipline, control of emotions, character and moral values.
Shakespeare sonnets!
Again, do visit www.nosweatshakespeare.com to read more sonnets. To revise:
*Information from Wikipedia
- It has 14 lines, with alternate rhyming lines
- It is supposed to have 3 quatrains (means every four lines are put together), and one couplet (2 lines together) right at the end.
*Information from Wikipedia
The last lecture
The last lecture was a worldwide hit because I think many people are inspired by his spirit and at the same time feel sorry that such a fine man had his life ended early.
In the lectures and the book itself, he talks about how he got these dreams of playing football, writing an entry in an encyclopedia, floating in zero gravity, being a part of Disney etc, and how one by one, he managed to achieve them.
What makes him such an inspiration is that he is eager to show other people, people like us who read about him, how to have the attitude to achieve our own dreams. How to try over and over again if you really want something - because the obstacles we met are only there to separate those who really want it from those who don't want it hard enough.
Do you have dreams that you want to fulfill? Why not write them down and try your best to achieve them?
In the lectures and the book itself, he talks about how he got these dreams of playing football, writing an entry in an encyclopedia, floating in zero gravity, being a part of Disney etc, and how one by one, he managed to achieve them.
What makes him such an inspiration is that he is eager to show other people, people like us who read about him, how to have the attitude to achieve our own dreams. How to try over and over again if you really want something - because the obstacles we met are only there to separate those who really want it from those who don't want it hard enough.
Do you have dreams that you want to fulfill? Why not write them down and try your best to achieve them?
Monday, January 5, 2009
Does Shakespeare have any living descendants?
William Shakespeare has passed away almost 400 years ago (393 years to be exact), and we wonder, is he the ancestor of someone still living today?
Turns out that the answer is no; Shakespeare does not have any living descendants in the world. But apparently Shakespeare sister does!
Turns out that the answer is no; Shakespeare does not have any living descendants in the world. But apparently Shakespeare sister does!
On Money
Remember in class I was talking about Literature as being "excellent writing expressing ideas of permanent or universal interest"? It's interesting that money was mentioned - I think we all know that in most society today, money is a big thing in everyone's life. People can lie, cheat, fight, and die to get it, and money very much equals to survival in our world today.
But it didn't used to be like this. There was a time when money wasn't invented. Before money came, people exchanged goods and services, and that was 'barter trading'. Then people started using different things to represent value, anything from salt, barley, seashells, silk, cows and of course precious metals, or whatever that culture believes is valuable. *
But then a cow can't live forever, and salt can dissolve away in water and silk can get torn. So people started using metals, which are rare and shiny and nice. Then to make things easier to carry around, paper money was finally invented.
So. The interesting thing is that in rural areas of certain countries, people still do barter trading because there's not much of a market for them to buy and sell things. If you're a hunter and occasionally need some clothes, you can just exchange your hunt for some. You don't have to do hard work just to get some paper money.
50 million dollar notes
And then there are places with economies so bad that their money is worthless. Zimbabwe is so poor that it lacks many necessities, people have no jobs and there's also no goods to buy. $100,000 probably isn't enough to buy toothpaste, for the Zimbabweans.
Multi-million dollar sweets
We should be glad Singapore has a strong economy, we can buy things like electronic gadgets cheaply because of that, and holidays to many places are not as expensive too.
*Part of the information from Wikipedia
But it didn't used to be like this. There was a time when money wasn't invented. Before money came, people exchanged goods and services, and that was 'barter trading'. Then people started using different things to represent value, anything from salt, barley, seashells, silk, cows and of course precious metals, or whatever that culture believes is valuable. *
But then a cow can't live forever, and salt can dissolve away in water and silk can get torn. So people started using metals, which are rare and shiny and nice. Then to make things easier to carry around, paper money was finally invented.
So. The interesting thing is that in rural areas of certain countries, people still do barter trading because there's not much of a market for them to buy and sell things. If you're a hunter and occasionally need some clothes, you can just exchange your hunt for some. You don't have to do hard work just to get some paper money.
50 million dollar notesAnd then there are places with economies so bad that their money is worthless. Zimbabwe is so poor that it lacks many necessities, people have no jobs and there's also no goods to buy. $100,000 probably isn't enough to buy toothpaste, for the Zimbabweans.
Multi-million dollar sweetsWe should be glad Singapore has a strong economy, we can buy things like electronic gadgets cheaply because of that, and holidays to many places are not as expensive too.
*Part of the information from Wikipedia
Hello world!
I'm glad you made it here!
Thanks for being curious enough to visit, and I hope you come back again and again and again...
Basically, I want to use this blog to show you more about things that I talk of in class , and I'm sure they are as fascinating to you as they are to me! If you want to find out something, anything trivial or whatever, just let me know and I'll help you on that!
Keep reading!
Thanks for being curious enough to visit, and I hope you come back again and again and again...
Basically, I want to use this blog to show you more about things that I talk of in class , and I'm sure they are as fascinating to you as they are to me! If you want to find out something, anything trivial or whatever, just let me know and I'll help you on that!
Keep reading!
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