Today, during IH lessons, at 10:05 a.m., my IH teacher and form teacher, Miss Yeo said, "There will be consequences for every decision you choose to make".
I agree with what she said to a very large extent. If we make certain decisions, we must be able to bear the consequences of those decisions. All decisions made would definitely cause a consequence. What we can do, is to do the right decisions in order to have a pleasant consequence. If not, the consequence might be unbearable for some. Such decisions do not have to be major or huge ones.
For instance, making a decision of which bus to take would also cause evident consequences. If we choose the bus that goes a longer route, we would reach our destination late, causing a lot of time lost. In my opinion, life is just like choosing which bus to take. There are four possibilities I can think of by using the analogy of the bus.
(1) Taking the bus which goes the longer route, we would still end up at the destination.
Though we would take a longer time to reach our destination, we would still reach it at the end. Sometimes, reaching your goals slower is not altogether bad. In the process, we can experience more things and learn valuable life lessons.
(2) Taking the bus which goes the shorter route, and reaching the destination faster than anyone else.
This route would be preferred by most, as we can get to our goals fast. I too like this possibility. However, when things do not turn out as good as we expect it to be, possibility 1 might not be a bad choice either. As the saying goes, failure is the mother of success. Once we have taken the longer route, we would, in the future, know the right bus to take.
(3) Taking a bus and alighting halfway before reaching your destination.
Peseverance is very important. Even if we find the short cuts in life, if we do not persevere and push on till the end, we would still end up with nothing. We should work towards our goals with all our strength, and not give up halfway.
(4) Taking a bus, alighting halfway, but taking another bus reaching a new destination.
Sometimes, when we realise that the goal we formerly wanted is not what we really want, I feel that we should have the courage to end it and strive for our real goals in life. However, I'm not encouraging everyone to keep changing goals frequently, as that would just cause us to fulfill nothing in the end. We should consider very hard and be very sure of our goals before we work towards them.
That is all for now, readers. This is only my opinion. Whether you agree or not is another issue. Do comment on this so that we can have a healthy discussion on this topic.
P.S. I hope that there is no offense taken by anyone because I was just voicing my view on what I feel that was quite meaningful. I know I drifted off from the quote, but I thought of the bottom part after hearing the quote, so I just wanted to share with all readers my opinion.
Just for more: "Meaningful Quotes"
Meaningful quotes might not just come from people who spend their whole day thinking of something smart to say. Meaningful quotes can come from anyone, anywhere and even anytime, be it when someone is feeling happy, sad or angry, when one is teaching students and it just naturally come out, or even when scolding students. I am not kidding. Many of these meaningful quotes can appear when a teacher is scolding students.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Narrative Viewpoints
This is on my opinions on when we should use first-person or third-person perspective.
I would use the first-person perspective when I want to develop the persona and show the story through someone's perspective, which is usually biased. For example, if I want to make a complex idea seem simple, I can have a young immature child as the narrator and I can show things through his/her eyes. This is very important as children and adults would have different experiences and maturity in thinking. Therefore, if we want to develop the character, first-person perspective would be a good choice.
Cons of using first-person perspective:
What the readers can know is very limited. Since it is written in first-person perspective, the author cannot possibly be omniscient. Therefore, if plot is an important part of the story, the author should not use the first-person perspective.
I would use the third-person perspective when I want to show a non-biased account of the whole story, and to show every detail of the story which none of the characters know everything that happens. A thrid-person perspective can be very useful when we want to develop the plot as the third-person perspective can allow the narrator to be omniscient.
Cons of using third-person perspective:
By using third-person perspective, there cannot be too much of characterisation for the main character as the author would have to show many different characters other than "I". Therefore, if characterisation is an important part of the story, the author should not use the third-person perspective.
This is my opinion on the usage of first and third person perspective. What's yours?
I would use the first-person perspective when I want to develop the persona and show the story through someone's perspective, which is usually biased. For example, if I want to make a complex idea seem simple, I can have a young immature child as the narrator and I can show things through his/her eyes. This is very important as children and adults would have different experiences and maturity in thinking. Therefore, if we want to develop the character, first-person perspective would be a good choice.
Cons of using first-person perspective:
What the readers can know is very limited. Since it is written in first-person perspective, the author cannot possibly be omniscient. Therefore, if plot is an important part of the story, the author should not use the first-person perspective.
I would use the third-person perspective when I want to show a non-biased account of the whole story, and to show every detail of the story which none of the characters know everything that happens. A thrid-person perspective can be very useful when we want to develop the plot as the third-person perspective can allow the narrator to be omniscient.
Cons of using third-person perspective:
By using third-person perspective, there cannot be too much of characterisation for the main character as the author would have to show many different characters other than "I". Therefore, if characterisation is an important part of the story, the author should not use the third-person perspective.
This is my opinion on the usage of first and third person perspective. What's yours?
Description of Beach - Setting
There was brown sand, with shiny white seashells concentrated at one area. The stark contrast between the dull sand the glittering seashells made me exceptionally attracted to it. As the waves splashed on the sand, I could see a whole line of white which stretched as long as the Great Wall of China. The splashes were sweet-sounding to the ears, as it acted as a little lullaby, making me drowsily attracted to the beautiful scenery. As I looked on at the blue-green sea which sparkled with white spots from the rays of the sun, I could spot a few ships in the distance. Tasting the salty air, I looked up and saw white clouds roll by, with some blue concentrated in the middle. "Such a beautiful scenery," I said to myself, while I awed at the beauty of nature. The seashells, the blue-green sea, the clouds, everything around me appealed to me.
Please give me comments so that I can improve. :D (especially Glenn because that's homework :P)
Please give me comments so that I can improve. :D (especially Glenn because that's homework :P)
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Home Learning Assignment - Comic Strip
Below is the comic strip I did for the Home Learning Assignment.
Have fun! :D
- Why did you choose the different pictures or background(s)?
In the first three panels, it shows a dark background, showing the dull feelings of Ah Boy and his mum. In the fourth panel, as Ah Boy thinks about his acts, I chose a plain background as it shows how plain and innocent he is. In the fifth panel, we can see a bright orange background, showing the rise in the main characters' feelings. In the sixth panel, we can see that the teacher is loving as shown by the backgroud.
- How do they contribute to the elements (plot, setting, characterisation) of your narrative?
- How do they contribute to the elements (plot, setting, characterisation) of your narrative?
A dull background can indicate many things. It indicates a boring life of Ah Boy and how his mother feels towards Ah Boy's feelings. Brightness in the last two panels show how the feelings has risen. In the fourth panel, the plainess of the background shows the plainess and innocence of Ah Boy, the main character.
- How did you make use of the different elements to contribute to the theme you have chosen?
My theme is the importance of hardwork. There should be a motivation for hardwork, like how the mother not allow Ah Boy to eat his dinner. That is put simply as 6 panels are really too little to show what I want to show. Therefore, Panel 3 was made this way as people can identity with it too. Also, hardwork can cause a positive change in feelings, as shown by the colour change in the background.
That's all, readers. :P
Friday, January 14, 2011
Perpetrators and Victims of Prejudice
Dear Readers,
This is another post from me. This first paragraph acts as a disclaimer. This post is not intended to offend anybody or to put down anyone. This post is merely my thoughts and I hope readers do not be too sensitive as this may cause problem which can be very detrimental.
Q: Have you ever been in the company of a group of which you clearly were not included? Describe the circumstances. How did you act? How did the situation / event affect you?
Yes, I have been in a group which I was clearly not included. It was a fund-raising project and there was a committee being set up. I was in the committee. Then, a leader was chosen, but the leader was actually made leader just to facilitate the project.
So, we had our committee meetings. In one of the meetings, the committee made some decisions. One of the decisions made was to go to the member's house on the next day to settle the items for sale, so that if we cannot finish it, we can settle it on another day. Therefore, we informed one of the members of the committee to prepare some materials to make the items for sale. So, on the same day itself, I called the member who was supposed to settle the materials to inform her on how much materials was needed. After that, she went down with her family to Malaysia just to get the materials. After she left for Malaysia, I received an sms from the leader saying that we would not be making the items for sale on the next day, and instead, five days later. I replied to his sms asking why the decision, but he just simply said that it could be settled five days later and I did not have to worry.
Then, I kept trying to call the member who already was in Malaysia. However, the time when I managed to contact her was when she returned to Singapore and already bought the materials. I told her the news and she was a little disappointed too.
I felt very disappointed then. I felt that I was not included and the decision made during the meeting, which was suggested by me, was not respected. I felt that the leader should have stated it during the meeting and not send a last minute sms just to instruct me that we were not going to go to the member's house the next day, which I have been waiting for quite excitedly as I felt that it was going to be fun. However, I could do nothing, as I was just a little member of the committee and we still needed to listen to the leader.
After that incident, I learnt that if we want to be a leader, we should not be the ones asking for people to respect us. Instead, we should be respecting others. Leaders are to lead, not to instruct and make everyone agree to their thinking just because he/she is a leader. This incident left a great mark in me as I was greatly affected. I used to think that he would be a good leader, but after the incident, I had a totally different thinking. This was how much it affected me. My great impression on him was totally destroyed after that incident. Although I don't feel as strongly towards him right now, but certain negative feelings are still existent.
This is another post from me. This first paragraph acts as a disclaimer. This post is not intended to offend anybody or to put down anyone. This post is merely my thoughts and I hope readers do not be too sensitive as this may cause problem which can be very detrimental.
Q: Have you ever been in the company of a group of which you clearly were not included? Describe the circumstances. How did you act? How did the situation / event affect you?
Yes, I have been in a group which I was clearly not included. It was a fund-raising project and there was a committee being set up. I was in the committee. Then, a leader was chosen, but the leader was actually made leader just to facilitate the project.
So, we had our committee meetings. In one of the meetings, the committee made some decisions. One of the decisions made was to go to the member's house on the next day to settle the items for sale, so that if we cannot finish it, we can settle it on another day. Therefore, we informed one of the members of the committee to prepare some materials to make the items for sale. So, on the same day itself, I called the member who was supposed to settle the materials to inform her on how much materials was needed. After that, she went down with her family to Malaysia just to get the materials. After she left for Malaysia, I received an sms from the leader saying that we would not be making the items for sale on the next day, and instead, five days later. I replied to his sms asking why the decision, but he just simply said that it could be settled five days later and I did not have to worry.
Then, I kept trying to call the member who already was in Malaysia. However, the time when I managed to contact her was when she returned to Singapore and already bought the materials. I told her the news and she was a little disappointed too.
I felt very disappointed then. I felt that I was not included and the decision made during the meeting, which was suggested by me, was not respected. I felt that the leader should have stated it during the meeting and not send a last minute sms just to instruct me that we were not going to go to the member's house the next day, which I have been waiting for quite excitedly as I felt that it was going to be fun. However, I could do nothing, as I was just a little member of the committee and we still needed to listen to the leader.
After that incident, I learnt that if we want to be a leader, we should not be the ones asking for people to respect us. Instead, we should be respecting others. Leaders are to lead, not to instruct and make everyone agree to their thinking just because he/she is a leader. This incident left a great mark in me as I was greatly affected. I used to think that he would be a good leader, but after the incident, I had a totally different thinking. This was how much it affected me. My great impression on him was totally destroyed after that incident. Although I don't feel as strongly towards him right now, but certain negative feelings are still existent.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Prejudice - KWL
Know
Prejudice is judging someone without a logical reasoning, and this phenomenon has existed for a very long time. Prejudice can cause undesirable results as some people are not given the chances they deserve. Prejudice can come in many forms, against people of some skin colour, gender, age, nationality and many other examples.
Want
I would want to know about other forms of prejudice, so that I can better understand prejudice itself. I would also like to understand what prejudice exactly means. I would also like to know about why people have prejudice over others and form stereotypes about certain groups of people.
Learn
Prejudice is judging someone without a logical reasoning, and this phenomenon has existed for a very long time. Prejudice can cause undesirable results as some people are not given the chances they deserve. Prejudice can come in many forms, against people of some skin colour, gender, age, nationality and many other examples.
Want
I would want to know about other forms of prejudice, so that I can better understand prejudice itself. I would also like to understand what prejudice exactly means. I would also like to know about why people have prejudice over others and form stereotypes about certain groups of people.
Learn
Prejudice is the prejudgement before establishment of facts, understanding of situation and/or knowledge of the person.
Some Generalisations of Prejudice (Came up together with my Group):
Some Generalisations of Prejudice (Came up together with my Group):
1. There is always one or more perpetrator and victim in every case of prejudice.
2. Prejudice is caused because of some sort of differences from person to person, be it ethnic race, skin colour, religion or gender.
3. Prejudice occurs everywhere.
4. Prejudice is adopting an unfair judgement of one or more persons.
5. Prejudice is abstract, unless being acted out in the form of discrimination.
6. Prejudice is detrimental. Genocides (large-scale massacre of a whole race) and lynching (torture of a whole race) are the worst consequences, whilst the least serious consequences are being aloof to a party (ignoring).
7. Prejudice cannot be fully eradicated; it will always exist.
2. Prejudice is caused because of some sort of differences from person to person, be it ethnic race, skin colour, religion or gender.
3. Prejudice occurs everywhere.
4. Prejudice is adopting an unfair judgement of one or more persons.
5. Prejudice is abstract, unless being acted out in the form of discrimination.
6. Prejudice is detrimental. Genocides (large-scale massacre of a whole race) and lynching (torture of a whole race) are the worst consequences, whilst the least serious consequences are being aloof to a party (ignoring).
7. Prejudice cannot be fully eradicated; it will always exist.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Extract from a Prose
Extract from a Speech from SM Goh about the 5Cs
"This is my hope for Singapore. But you should have your own dream. I cannot dream for you; the government cannot dream for you. What the government will do is to create the fertile soil for you to sow and grow your dreams.
The first essential condition is a vibrant and growing economy. Such an economy will offer many opportunities and well-paid, challenging jobs.
The second essential condition is a quality education system. We will be spending more on education and life-long worker training."
My Opinion
This extract have left a deep impression on me as I feel that it is extremely meaningful. Indeed, no one can dream for us, only we can dream for ourself. Parents may have certain expectations for us children, but if these expectations go against your dreams, you should not be affected and give up on your dream.
Everybody should have a dream. Only with dreams can we have a target to work towards. Without dreams, our life would be meaningless and dull. With dreams, people get motivation to work harder and finally fulfulling their dreams. Many people would give up when they face obstacles or rejection. However, I feel that if the dream is worth chasing, we should not give up.
In addition, I also agree on how important education is to people. Having a quality education system is of paramount importance as that decides how much someone learns and the skills he/she picks up in school. This is greatly affect the future of a person as without any skills, one cannot survive in today's society. Therefore, to fulfill our dreams, we should, as students, work hard now in order to fulfill our dreams and sustain a living at the same time.
As Isaac Newton said, "If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants." Therefore, with a vibrant and growing economy and a quality education system, which acts as shoulders of giants, we can see further and fulfill our dreams.
This is why this extract left such a deep impression on me, and this is what I have learnt from this meaningful extract from Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong's speech.
"This is my hope for Singapore. But you should have your own dream. I cannot dream for you; the government cannot dream for you. What the government will do is to create the fertile soil for you to sow and grow your dreams.
The first essential condition is a vibrant and growing economy. Such an economy will offer many opportunities and well-paid, challenging jobs.
The second essential condition is a quality education system. We will be spending more on education and life-long worker training."
My Opinion
This extract have left a deep impression on me as I feel that it is extremely meaningful. Indeed, no one can dream for us, only we can dream for ourself. Parents may have certain expectations for us children, but if these expectations go against your dreams, you should not be affected and give up on your dream.
Everybody should have a dream. Only with dreams can we have a target to work towards. Without dreams, our life would be meaningless and dull. With dreams, people get motivation to work harder and finally fulfulling their dreams. Many people would give up when they face obstacles or rejection. However, I feel that if the dream is worth chasing, we should not give up.
In addition, I also agree on how important education is to people. Having a quality education system is of paramount importance as that decides how much someone learns and the skills he/she picks up in school. This is greatly affect the future of a person as without any skills, one cannot survive in today's society. Therefore, to fulfill our dreams, we should, as students, work hard now in order to fulfill our dreams and sustain a living at the same time.
As Isaac Newton said, "If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants." Therefore, with a vibrant and growing economy and a quality education system, which acts as shoulders of giants, we can see further and fulfill our dreams.
This is why this extract left such a deep impression on me, and this is what I have learnt from this meaningful extract from Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong's speech.
A New Year, A New Start
Dear Readers,
Welcome to a new year of my blog posting. This is 2011, meaning I am Secondary 2 this year. Have fun reading my blog posts and I hope you can continue to give me feedback so that I can keep improving.
That's my first blog post for the year. I would be posting up more posts very soon. Look forward to them.
Welcome to a new year of my blog posting. This is 2011, meaning I am Secondary 2 this year. Have fun reading my blog posts and I hope you can continue to give me feedback so that I can keep improving.
That's my first blog post for the year. I would be posting up more posts very soon. Look forward to them.
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