Though mercy and justice seem to be contradicting terms, I think that mercy and justice can co-exist.
Justice is enacted in court to bring about impartialness, fairness and equality to the human race, and in turn, to achieve a better well-being of the society. For example, convicts and felons are penalized and jailed to deter them from doing illegal activities again, and at the same time, allowing people to live safely and peacefully. However, it must be recognized that justice itself in court is merely a set of regulations that is determined by human race for humans themselves to abide to, which is formal and contrived, strict and unforgiving and inflexible. This set of rule, or justice, also functions as a way for the accusation party or the victim to have a chance to revenge on the prosecuted.
However, why do we still see examples of a party that is obviously wrong, being alleviated from the sufferings and punishments he ought to face when justice is enacted, since the rules in court are done by the book and condemning?
This is no doubt because the divine virtue of mercy influenced the accusation party’s final decision, thus having justice and mercy both displayed in court. Mercy, the kind human nature of forgiveness and sympathy, eases the punishments that the prosecuted ought to face, and it could indeed exist together with justice.
One example would be the Iranian acid attacker, who corroded a female’s facial features by spraying concentrated acid on the victim’s face. He was subjected to a punishment which allowed the victim to spray acid back on the man’s face, basing on the court rule “Qesas”, which in English is the rule for “an eye for an eye”. However, he was, in the end, pardoned by the victim, because the victim could not bear to destroy another’s face by empathizing with his state.
In this example, justice is shown when the victim was allowed to exact revenge on the attacker, since the court permits this act as legal and thus letting her earn the opportunity of getting her fairness and rights back. If she does so, both parties would be equal and at quits. However, the victim did not do this because she was merciful. She could not bear to do this cruel act. Therefore, the fact that the court gave the opportunity for the victim to revenge is enacting justice, but mercy is at the same time seen, since the victim did not practice the action.
In conclusion, this example shows that justice could indeed co-exist in mercy, since justice and mercy are two independent things. I feel that the reason behind the conventional way of thinking that justice could not co-exist with mercy is because mercy is rarely seen in court, since there are rarely any cases in which the accusation party would be merciful. If not, it is because the news that we read in our daily lives are mainly about the prosecuted committing a grave mistake, in which mercy itself could not alleviate the sufferings of the prosecuted since the prosecuted might pose even greater harm and damage to the society. And I shall once again reiterate that mercy and justice are totally two different things, and there should not be any misconceptions that mercy could not co-exist with justice.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
2a) What do you think is Shakespeare’s intention of creating Shylock in The Merchant of Venice? Support your opinion with examples.
I think that Shakespeare’s intention of creating Shylock in The Merchant of Venice is quite complicated – he depicted Shylock as a standard caricature of what Elizabethan audiences expected to see, a cruel and bloodthirsty devil incarnate. Yet, Shylock’s personality is exceedingly powerful and strong, being revealed as a resilient Jew who stood solely against the dominating and discriminating Christian, and not entirely exposing his vile, cunning and astute side, but also, with a touch on his poor and miserable side, arousing our feelings of sympathy, indignant and perhaps a little of respect when seeing his unfair and unjust treatment.
If Shakespeare was like any other playwright during the extremely anti-Semitic Elizabethan era, he would have displayed Shylock completely as evil, menacing and avaricious man, with no virtues whatsoever. However, in The Merchant of Venice, he actually tried to portray Shylock as a more acceptable person, since nobody is perfect, and similarly, nobody would have no virtues, thus showing that Shakespeare’s understanding of Jews could not be explicated with simply a word “cruel”. Before dramatizing this play, I think that Shakespeare crawled around in under the skin of Jews to try to comprehend the thoughts that are trickling in their mind, so as to be able to write a more all-rounded and non-opinionated play.
For example, in the story, Shylock, a representative for Jew, stood up strongly and proudly for Judaism, and tried to defend the rights of his religion against the Christians, who is the majority of the population then. One good instance is Shylock’s monologue, with him crying indignantly for being subjected at, “He hath disgraced me, and hindered me half a million, laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies; and what's his reason? I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?” From this example, we could see actually see slight effort put in by Shakespeare to protect the rights of Jews, helping them to convey the voices of their heart. By expressing the point of view of the Jews, Shakespeare made use of Shylock’s mouth to reason that Jews are not different from Christians, and they should not be discriminated against. Thus, this shows that Shakespeare might not be simply criticizing how merciless and heartless Jews are, as he is, at the same time suggesting that Jews might not be downright bad; and, at the same time, through these plays which many common folks and peasants watch, Shakespeare's aim might be trying to influence these Elizabethan folks to stop discriminating against Jews, though not explicitly showing the perils that might bring across by anti-Semitism.
But if he was indeed trying to show the virtues of Jews, why did he even make Shylock face a severe consequence for opposing the dominating Christians? I could suggest two possible reasons to this question. Firstly, it might be due to Shakespeare’s own belief that Jews should be persecuted, and they should be responsible for their own actions of going against them Christians; thus, my previous explanation that Shakespeare might be trying to portray the good side of Jews would be nullified. However, it might also be possible that Shakespeare is still trying to improve Jews’ reputation in Christians’ eyes, but he own stand weakened to what majority thinks, and thus giving Shylock a grim price to pay. Perhaps, he was also afraid that if he made Shylock win over the Christians, there might be pandemonium and chaos among people, for letting Jews win in the end is deemed unreasonable and unwonted, and he himself might have to face grave consequences.
There is one thing we know for sure, that is, Shylock is symbolic for Jews. However, what was Shakespeare’s intention for creating this representative for Jews? This would be left for the reader to interpret, since the mystery a few thousand years ago could not be uncovered, but for myself, I would rather think that the reason is that Shakespeare wants to abolish discrimination, and that through these plays, Shakespeare is making a baby step to a fair and just world.
If Shakespeare was like any other playwright during the extremely anti-Semitic Elizabethan era, he would have displayed Shylock completely as evil, menacing and avaricious man, with no virtues whatsoever. However, in The Merchant of Venice, he actually tried to portray Shylock as a more acceptable person, since nobody is perfect, and similarly, nobody would have no virtues, thus showing that Shakespeare’s understanding of Jews could not be explicated with simply a word “cruel”. Before dramatizing this play, I think that Shakespeare crawled around in under the skin of Jews to try to comprehend the thoughts that are trickling in their mind, so as to be able to write a more all-rounded and non-opinionated play.
For example, in the story, Shylock, a representative for Jew, stood up strongly and proudly for Judaism, and tried to defend the rights of his religion against the Christians, who is the majority of the population then. One good instance is Shylock’s monologue, with him crying indignantly for being subjected at, “He hath disgraced me, and hindered me half a million, laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my nation, thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine enemies; and what's his reason? I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?” From this example, we could see actually see slight effort put in by Shakespeare to protect the rights of Jews, helping them to convey the voices of their heart. By expressing the point of view of the Jews, Shakespeare made use of Shylock’s mouth to reason that Jews are not different from Christians, and they should not be discriminated against. Thus, this shows that Shakespeare might not be simply criticizing how merciless and heartless Jews are, as he is, at the same time suggesting that Jews might not be downright bad; and, at the same time, through these plays which many common folks and peasants watch, Shakespeare's aim might be trying to influence these Elizabethan folks to stop discriminating against Jews, though not explicitly showing the perils that might bring across by anti-Semitism.
But if he was indeed trying to show the virtues of Jews, why did he even make Shylock face a severe consequence for opposing the dominating Christians? I could suggest two possible reasons to this question. Firstly, it might be due to Shakespeare’s own belief that Jews should be persecuted, and they should be responsible for their own actions of going against them Christians; thus, my previous explanation that Shakespeare might be trying to portray the good side of Jews would be nullified. However, it might also be possible that Shakespeare is still trying to improve Jews’ reputation in Christians’ eyes, but he own stand weakened to what majority thinks, and thus giving Shylock a grim price to pay. Perhaps, he was also afraid that if he made Shylock win over the Christians, there might be pandemonium and chaos among people, for letting Jews win in the end is deemed unreasonable and unwonted, and he himself might have to face grave consequences.
There is one thing we know for sure, that is, Shylock is symbolic for Jews. However, what was Shakespeare’s intention for creating this representative for Jews? This would be left for the reader to interpret, since the mystery a few thousand years ago could not be uncovered, but for myself, I would rather think that the reason is that Shakespeare wants to abolish discrimination, and that through these plays, Shakespeare is making a baby step to a fair and just world.
How to Raise a Global Kid
The writer, Lennox Samuels, is trying to argue that going overseas for education is becoming a priority for parents who are determining their children’s future. Not only for Asian families, but in fact, more of Americans. From this, we not only could foresee that Asia’s education system is overtaking America’s, we also could foretell America’s status being threatened – America is facing a declination with their subtle amount of knowledge, whereas Asia is taking a lead in the world.
Indeed, this is true. Many parents are increasingly aware that Chinese Language is becoming an important language for success in businesses, since China is the rising sun, and with the ability to communicate with businessmen in China, children are sure to have a stronger foothold in the society in the future years. Thus, many families are emigrating from America to the foreign land Asia, to ensure that their children would have exposure to Chinese Language. One good example is Happy Rogers, who was the only American in her graduating class at Nanyang Primary School in Singapore. Aged 8, Happy is navigating her friendships and doing her homework entirely in Mandarin. She reasoned that fluency in Chinese is going to make her better and smarter.
However, as for the point mentioned that rapid globalization is the great future threat to American prosperity, I disagree. The writer claimed that there is better education in Asia, and thus many are going from America to Asia to seek for better schooling. Thus, America’s competitive position in the world will continue to erode, and their future livelihood and that of subsequent generations will be in jeopardy. However, in my opinion, I think that this phenomenon of going abroad for better education is not just one-sided – from America to Asia – as it is also widely acknowledged that Asian families are emigrating to America, due to their perception that western countries have a better learning environment, and that English language is vital for survival in the society. Statistics shown that 200 million Chinese schoolchildren are studying English and nearly 700,000 students from all over the world attended U.S. universities during the 2009–10 school year, with the greatest increases in kids from China and Saudi Arabia. Therefore, I feel that it is not a problem of which education system is more effective; rather, it is because China’s economy is growing stronger and more formidable, and it is increasing dominance over the world, and hence, people are shifting their priority to learning Chinese language. As a result, Americans are starting to immigrate as they understand that the best environment for learning Chinese is going to Asian countries, where Chinese is the language widely used in daily lives, no because of the better education in Asia, as claimed by the writer.
Education is the key for survival in the hectic 21st century, also wrote Lennox Samuels. The society is no longer seeking for physically fit people, but in search for intellectually smart and clever people. As the society is shifting itself from skill-intensive into a knowledge-based economy, those pays of blue-collared workers is paling in comparison with those engineers and professors. People are beginning to perceive that it takes a greater effort to develop a critical-thinking mind that is sharp and astute than to acquire a strong and muscular torso, thus the pay starts to be amended and the civilians start to adapt to ever-changing society. To be able to cultivate a shrewd and precise mind, one must turn toward education, thus education, is no doubt compulsory if one aims to excel and outshine others in the future.
Critics might reason that the pay of a professional sportsman, such as the famous footballer Messi, is much higher than those professors and company’s directors. This is no doubt true, as even those footballers in Singapore, for instance Aleksander Duric of Singapore, aged 41 this year, could even receive a pay higher than that of well-informed lecturers. However, one must still be conscious of the fact that these professional sportsmen are just the singular cases. Also, the criteria for these sportsmen to get selected into a national team are very strict. Many youngsters are aiming to get shortlisted into national teams, but many turned back in despondency, thus showing how huge the competition is and the negligible chances for one to be chosen. Thus, it could still be seen that education is still the key for survival in the 21st century, since educated have many future options, ranging from chief directors of companies to high-pay professors, unlike sportsmen.
In a nutshell, education is of increasing importance in the 21st century, and with it, China is gaining dominance in the marketing world – and, I feel that Americans are emigrating to Asia not because of better education there, but rather, it is because they are starting to take note that they could no longer simply stick to their own native language English, as their world leader status is threatened by China, thus they are learning to adapt and learn Chinese.
Indeed, this is true. Many parents are increasingly aware that Chinese Language is becoming an important language for success in businesses, since China is the rising sun, and with the ability to communicate with businessmen in China, children are sure to have a stronger foothold in the society in the future years. Thus, many families are emigrating from America to the foreign land Asia, to ensure that their children would have exposure to Chinese Language. One good example is Happy Rogers, who was the only American in her graduating class at Nanyang Primary School in Singapore. Aged 8, Happy is navigating her friendships and doing her homework entirely in Mandarin. She reasoned that fluency in Chinese is going to make her better and smarter.
However, as for the point mentioned that rapid globalization is the great future threat to American prosperity, I disagree. The writer claimed that there is better education in Asia, and thus many are going from America to Asia to seek for better schooling. Thus, America’s competitive position in the world will continue to erode, and their future livelihood and that of subsequent generations will be in jeopardy. However, in my opinion, I think that this phenomenon of going abroad for better education is not just one-sided – from America to Asia – as it is also widely acknowledged that Asian families are emigrating to America, due to their perception that western countries have a better learning environment, and that English language is vital for survival in the society. Statistics shown that 200 million Chinese schoolchildren are studying English and nearly 700,000 students from all over the world attended U.S. universities during the 2009–10 school year, with the greatest increases in kids from China and Saudi Arabia. Therefore, I feel that it is not a problem of which education system is more effective; rather, it is because China’s economy is growing stronger and more formidable, and it is increasing dominance over the world, and hence, people are shifting their priority to learning Chinese language. As a result, Americans are starting to immigrate as they understand that the best environment for learning Chinese is going to Asian countries, where Chinese is the language widely used in daily lives, no because of the better education in Asia, as claimed by the writer.
Education is the key for survival in the hectic 21st century, also wrote Lennox Samuels. The society is no longer seeking for physically fit people, but in search for intellectually smart and clever people. As the society is shifting itself from skill-intensive into a knowledge-based economy, those pays of blue-collared workers is paling in comparison with those engineers and professors. People are beginning to perceive that it takes a greater effort to develop a critical-thinking mind that is sharp and astute than to acquire a strong and muscular torso, thus the pay starts to be amended and the civilians start to adapt to ever-changing society. To be able to cultivate a shrewd and precise mind, one must turn toward education, thus education, is no doubt compulsory if one aims to excel and outshine others in the future.
Critics might reason that the pay of a professional sportsman, such as the famous footballer Messi, is much higher than those professors and company’s directors. This is no doubt true, as even those footballers in Singapore, for instance Aleksander Duric of Singapore, aged 41 this year, could even receive a pay higher than that of well-informed lecturers. However, one must still be conscious of the fact that these professional sportsmen are just the singular cases. Also, the criteria for these sportsmen to get selected into a national team are very strict. Many youngsters are aiming to get shortlisted into national teams, but many turned back in despondency, thus showing how huge the competition is and the negligible chances for one to be chosen. Thus, it could still be seen that education is still the key for survival in the 21st century, since educated have many future options, ranging from chief directors of companies to high-pay professors, unlike sportsmen.
In a nutshell, education is of increasing importance in the 21st century, and with it, China is gaining dominance in the marketing world – and, I feel that Americans are emigrating to Asia not because of better education there, but rather, it is because they are starting to take note that they could no longer simply stick to their own native language English, as their world leader status is threatened by China, thus they are learning to adapt and learn Chinese.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Comment on Janelle Lee's letter
(1) Comment on the Janelle Lee's view on the education system in Singapore.
From the effectively written letter, I could see that Janelle Lee owned a critical and precise mind – what she stated and mentioned in the beautifully-written letter would simply strike home to any Singaporeans the messages it conveyed. It especially gives a sense of familiarity to us students, and perhaps also teachers.
The foremost and main point she argued was about the education of Singapore killing the interest of many students who originally had the ability to ask a simple ‘why’. I felt very sincere to this opinion, as it is what I felt to be extremely relevant to the education system here, and just a few days ago I realized that I actually might have lost the ability of inquiring. It was just after the recent release of the Integrated Humanities results, when many of the students had written one extra point for the essay thus wasting time, including me. I explained to my father about this matter, and he replied to me asking ‘why’ did we write three points instead of two, as the question required. I then answered very honestly that it was because the LOMPS we were exposed to all required us three points in order to score full marks. Then my father again asked why three points should be written for essay, and claimed that we were only memorizing and not understanding. During that time, I felt quite indignant as I felt that it was only natural for us students to follow the LOMPS and we actually had a debate.
But now, I come to think that perhaps it was really because we lack of the inquisitiveness to seek further to what appeared to be ‘the standard’. And indeed, I feel that this is the fruit of the education system in Singapore, as what we learnt was just from pure memorizing and aiming to achieve the marks we goaled. Another example is mathematics, which we only learned the rules and formulas to apply to questions, never understanding how the formulas were derived. If we asked, the answer that was usually shot back to us was ‘it is out of syllabus, and you do not need to understand it at your level’ or that ‘it might only confuse you’.
The next point this teenager brought up is the civic and moral education in Singapore. I have much less to comment about this idea, as this education is only taught in primary school. However, I honestly feel that when in primary school, this curriculum period was indeed a relaxation period to us students, and I still remembered vividly how we dreaded it to be taken away by other main subjects, and thus it brought forth to us the message that was unintended that civic and moral education was not compulsory and of no great importance. The teachers might say that it is how we treated the subject – whether we ourselves treat it seriously or not. I do not deny what they claimed, but I feel that it is the teacher’s job to ensure that students treat this subject seriously and do benefit from it. If the teacher’s attitude is not even serious and allow other teachers to take over their lessons, how do they even expect us students to put in enthusiasm when they do not even adopt a positive attitude when teaching that subject?
However, there were some points that I regarded not to be very accurate. For example, she stated that “the problem is that Singaporean youths are often not taught as individuals with separate talents, but as a collective who are all the same”. A counter example to this is the streaming program introduced by Dr. Goh Keng Swee. We learned in history that students are streamed at 9 years old according to their intelligence,at 10 to determine if the student should be put into foundational class. Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), and the examination in secondary 2 testing if the student is eligible to be placed in an IP school or Special Programme are other examples. However, let us just discuss about The Gifted Education Stream, which is reserved only for the academically and intellectually gifted. The rationale behind streaming is to allow the system to cater best to the needs of each student according to his or her academic ability, preventing a scenario where the best students are bored by a standard curriculum, and the weakest students struggle to pass. Therefore, it is not true to say that Singaporean youths are taught as a collective due to the introduction of the School Based Gifted Education.
In conclusion, I feel that this letter was really magnificent and sensational. It was really eye opening and reflected also on how we students should be like in school. I feel the same for what this teenager had mentioned, and I also hope for a better tomorrow.
(2) Is an ideal education possible? Explain.
An ideal educational system – what exactly is it? Since this term has not obtained a specific definition, I would give it my own interpretation. An ideal educational system, to me, consist of academic and moral education, treating both equally important, and developing, not curbing, one’s inquisitive mind and interest, and at the same time, giving the students freedom and time yet also producing results in the exams. With so many specifications to fulfill, an ideal educational system is totally impossible, since these many terms and conditions could not possibly occur at the same time.
Firstly, treating academic and moral education on the same basis is already too high an expectation. Academic subjects are by itself numerous, thus there is simply no time to yet learn another subject. Many might say that the government could lengthen the school time, however, that is again not giving students enough freedom to do their own reading and even for relaxation.
Another problem lies within the means of developing an inquisitive mind and at the same time, producing results. The ways to develop a curious mind includes probing the students to ask more, not letting them be bounded by the marking scheme, be creative, and most importantly, enabling students to see education as a process of learning and not being overwhelmed by all the marks and results. However, these could not happen at the same time. To produce results – that is already not feasible when shaping the students’ mind into a creative and innovative one, since the worldwide examinations have marking schemes standardized. If the educational system allows students to think out of the box and not follow the marking scheme, these students would not be able to score high in examinations, since they would not bother to stick to the guideline.
Furthermore, this idea also wearies the teachers, since they need to answer to many questions not inside the syllabus, and they would need to spend too much time on topics irrelevant to the examinations. And, if students keep inquiring and the teachers busily answering those questions, the teachers would not be able to finish the syllabuses in time in order to prepare the students for the examinations. Thus, the students not only would not be able to follow the marking scheme, they also would not be able to fare well in the examinations since the lack of understanding to certain topics prevents them from exceling in the examinations.
Many might say that students would have a better future if they are exposed to more knowledge, thus, they would oppose to my opinion of saying that developing an inquisitive mind and producing results could be done together. However, one must come to think of it that if the student took an examination and scored badly due to the reasons previously stated, he would enroll for a school not so ideal, thus, hindering his success. The student would not learn as many things as those in better schools, therefore, being unable to excel in his career.
Once again, I shall reiterate that it is not possible to have an ideal educational system. Educational systems definitely have its own flaws, and some areas must be compromised depending on the schools priority. Therefore, what is being taught is the school’s decision, and the students nonetheless also have the opportunity to choose which school they would like to be in.
From the effectively written letter, I could see that Janelle Lee owned a critical and precise mind – what she stated and mentioned in the beautifully-written letter would simply strike home to any Singaporeans the messages it conveyed. It especially gives a sense of familiarity to us students, and perhaps also teachers.
The foremost and main point she argued was about the education of Singapore killing the interest of many students who originally had the ability to ask a simple ‘why’. I felt very sincere to this opinion, as it is what I felt to be extremely relevant to the education system here, and just a few days ago I realized that I actually might have lost the ability of inquiring. It was just after the recent release of the Integrated Humanities results, when many of the students had written one extra point for the essay thus wasting time, including me. I explained to my father about this matter, and he replied to me asking ‘why’ did we write three points instead of two, as the question required. I then answered very honestly that it was because the LOMPS we were exposed to all required us three points in order to score full marks. Then my father again asked why three points should be written for essay, and claimed that we were only memorizing and not understanding. During that time, I felt quite indignant as I felt that it was only natural for us students to follow the LOMPS and we actually had a debate.
But now, I come to think that perhaps it was really because we lack of the inquisitiveness to seek further to what appeared to be ‘the standard’. And indeed, I feel that this is the fruit of the education system in Singapore, as what we learnt was just from pure memorizing and aiming to achieve the marks we goaled. Another example is mathematics, which we only learned the rules and formulas to apply to questions, never understanding how the formulas were derived. If we asked, the answer that was usually shot back to us was ‘it is out of syllabus, and you do not need to understand it at your level’ or that ‘it might only confuse you’.
The next point this teenager brought up is the civic and moral education in Singapore. I have much less to comment about this idea, as this education is only taught in primary school. However, I honestly feel that when in primary school, this curriculum period was indeed a relaxation period to us students, and I still remembered vividly how we dreaded it to be taken away by other main subjects, and thus it brought forth to us the message that was unintended that civic and moral education was not compulsory and of no great importance. The teachers might say that it is how we treated the subject – whether we ourselves treat it seriously or not. I do not deny what they claimed, but I feel that it is the teacher’s job to ensure that students treat this subject seriously and do benefit from it. If the teacher’s attitude is not even serious and allow other teachers to take over their lessons, how do they even expect us students to put in enthusiasm when they do not even adopt a positive attitude when teaching that subject?
However, there were some points that I regarded not to be very accurate. For example, she stated that “the problem is that Singaporean youths are often not taught as individuals with separate talents, but as a collective who are all the same”. A counter example to this is the streaming program introduced by Dr. Goh Keng Swee. We learned in history that students are streamed at 9 years old according to their intelligence,at 10 to determine if the student should be put into foundational class. Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), and the examination in secondary 2 testing if the student is eligible to be placed in an IP school or Special Programme are other examples. However, let us just discuss about The Gifted Education Stream, which is reserved only for the academically and intellectually gifted. The rationale behind streaming is to allow the system to cater best to the needs of each student according to his or her academic ability, preventing a scenario where the best students are bored by a standard curriculum, and the weakest students struggle to pass. Therefore, it is not true to say that Singaporean youths are taught as a collective due to the introduction of the School Based Gifted Education.
In conclusion, I feel that this letter was really magnificent and sensational. It was really eye opening and reflected also on how we students should be like in school. I feel the same for what this teenager had mentioned, and I also hope for a better tomorrow.
(2) Is an ideal education possible? Explain.
An ideal educational system – what exactly is it? Since this term has not obtained a specific definition, I would give it my own interpretation. An ideal educational system, to me, consist of academic and moral education, treating both equally important, and developing, not curbing, one’s inquisitive mind and interest, and at the same time, giving the students freedom and time yet also producing results in the exams. With so many specifications to fulfill, an ideal educational system is totally impossible, since these many terms and conditions could not possibly occur at the same time.
Firstly, treating academic and moral education on the same basis is already too high an expectation. Academic subjects are by itself numerous, thus there is simply no time to yet learn another subject. Many might say that the government could lengthen the school time, however, that is again not giving students enough freedom to do their own reading and even for relaxation.
Another problem lies within the means of developing an inquisitive mind and at the same time, producing results. The ways to develop a curious mind includes probing the students to ask more, not letting them be bounded by the marking scheme, be creative, and most importantly, enabling students to see education as a process of learning and not being overwhelmed by all the marks and results. However, these could not happen at the same time. To produce results – that is already not feasible when shaping the students’ mind into a creative and innovative one, since the worldwide examinations have marking schemes standardized. If the educational system allows students to think out of the box and not follow the marking scheme, these students would not be able to score high in examinations, since they would not bother to stick to the guideline.
Furthermore, this idea also wearies the teachers, since they need to answer to many questions not inside the syllabus, and they would need to spend too much time on topics irrelevant to the examinations. And, if students keep inquiring and the teachers busily answering those questions, the teachers would not be able to finish the syllabuses in time in order to prepare the students for the examinations. Thus, the students not only would not be able to follow the marking scheme, they also would not be able to fare well in the examinations since the lack of understanding to certain topics prevents them from exceling in the examinations.
Many might say that students would have a better future if they are exposed to more knowledge, thus, they would oppose to my opinion of saying that developing an inquisitive mind and producing results could be done together. However, one must come to think of it that if the student took an examination and scored badly due to the reasons previously stated, he would enroll for a school not so ideal, thus, hindering his success. The student would not learn as many things as those in better schools, therefore, being unable to excel in his career.
Once again, I shall reiterate that it is not possible to have an ideal educational system. Educational systems definitely have its own flaws, and some areas must be compromised depending on the schools priority. Therefore, what is being taught is the school’s decision, and the students nonetheless also have the opportunity to choose which school they would like to be in.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Water: Commodity or Human Rights?
Water is one of the most valuable resources on earth. However, many Singaporeans, even if they claim to know the needs to conserve water, or maybe some who are still unconscious of the limited amount of precious water, are still wasting this priceless resource. Ministers have for a long time, stretching banners to convey the importance of water conservation to civilians, yet people still use water so extravagantly and excessively that the world’s amount of water is being consumed away at an incredible rate. Notwithstanding this, should water really become a commodity to deliver the importance of water to people instead of being treated as a human right? I think that water should indeed be treated as a commodity.
The nature of Nature is cruel and cold-blooded, having the strongest to prevail and the weakest to diminish and die out, thus treating water as a commodity is not a problem. In other words, the law of club and fang justifies this belief. The rich, getting their fair share of water because they have the ability to earn sufficient money thus being able to provide for themselves; whereas the poor, incapable to earn themselves a living, could not afford for water and thus dying of thirst. Therefore, Nature, being harsh and punishing, must be same as how she treats other animals, by only allowing the richest to sustain on and dominate the earth, having control and power over this necessity of living, and letting the poorer to perish on our very world. This is a bit of exaggeration, but it is quite how the world would be like when precious necessities of living is diminishing.
Many might say that humans are creatures of emotion, and that by letting the poor die and 'discriminating against' them is truly unacceptable in our society. However, policies have already been implemented to subsidize those of more needs unprovided for. Thus, the situation would not seem so cold and cruel, so wild and uncivilized as I have previously elaborated about how people would die on earth. The necessities of others would be readily taken care of, and they, and us people, would not need to fret and worry about how these poorer and weaker would carry on their lives.
Furthermore, by measuring water using economic means and treating it as a commodity would solve the problem that ministers had tried to solve, which is, to ensure that people treasure water. People treat money if not but as one of the most important things of earth, since money is what businesses are about, what jobs are for and most importantly, how meals are settled. Thus, people would by all means figure out how to be thrifty and ways to save money, thus, by treating water as a commodity would let the painful truth of water being limited dawn on human beings, therefore, people turning to become more sensible and attempt to save every drip and drop of water.
In a nutshell, I would like to reiterate that water should be treated as a commodity. It would bring forth to us the biggest benefit of human conserving water through exposing the most shocking truth that water is limited to us. Many might say that it is unjust by letting the poorer suffer a miserable death, however, this is too justified by the law of the Jungle, and that subsidies are also provided for the needy. As humans are a part of the nature and environment, we should not be treated differently as how nature works, and on the other hand, getting to people that everything has a cost and effect, especially those richer. Seeing to the point that the poorer are subsidized but the richer are not, I conclude that the main aim of treating water as a commodity is actually trying to get the richer to treasure water, as it is mostly the richer that takes these precious resources for granted, thus wasting them. And water, not only has an economic cost now, losing it would also have a drastic impact on the environment.
The nature of Nature is cruel and cold-blooded, having the strongest to prevail and the weakest to diminish and die out, thus treating water as a commodity is not a problem. In other words, the law of club and fang justifies this belief. The rich, getting their fair share of water because they have the ability to earn sufficient money thus being able to provide for themselves; whereas the poor, incapable to earn themselves a living, could not afford for water and thus dying of thirst. Therefore, Nature, being harsh and punishing, must be same as how she treats other animals, by only allowing the richest to sustain on and dominate the earth, having control and power over this necessity of living, and letting the poorer to perish on our very world. This is a bit of exaggeration, but it is quite how the world would be like when precious necessities of living is diminishing.
Many might say that humans are creatures of emotion, and that by letting the poor die and 'discriminating against' them is truly unacceptable in our society. However, policies have already been implemented to subsidize those of more needs unprovided for. Thus, the situation would not seem so cold and cruel, so wild and uncivilized as I have previously elaborated about how people would die on earth. The necessities of others would be readily taken care of, and they, and us people, would not need to fret and worry about how these poorer and weaker would carry on their lives.
Furthermore, by measuring water using economic means and treating it as a commodity would solve the problem that ministers had tried to solve, which is, to ensure that people treasure water. People treat money if not but as one of the most important things of earth, since money is what businesses are about, what jobs are for and most importantly, how meals are settled. Thus, people would by all means figure out how to be thrifty and ways to save money, thus, by treating water as a commodity would let the painful truth of water being limited dawn on human beings, therefore, people turning to become more sensible and attempt to save every drip and drop of water.
In a nutshell, I would like to reiterate that water should be treated as a commodity. It would bring forth to us the biggest benefit of human conserving water through exposing the most shocking truth that water is limited to us. Many might say that it is unjust by letting the poorer suffer a miserable death, however, this is too justified by the law of the Jungle, and that subsidies are also provided for the needy. As humans are a part of the nature and environment, we should not be treated differently as how nature works, and on the other hand, getting to people that everything has a cost and effect, especially those richer. Seeing to the point that the poorer are subsidized but the richer are not, I conclude that the main aim of treating water as a commodity is actually trying to get the richer to treasure water, as it is mostly the richer that takes these precious resources for granted, thus wasting them. And water, not only has an economic cost now, losing it would also have a drastic impact on the environment.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Term 3 Week 1 (Blogging Assignment)
Singapore prohibits employers who do not give their maids rest days, and these irresponsible employers would face legal consequences if they do not abide to this law. However, veteran labour leader Halimah Yacob recently called for the legislation of weekly days off for maids working in Singapore, which sparked off many disputes and controversial opinions voiced out by Singaporeans. In my opinion, initially, some employers restrict the freedom of their maids too much, by only giving them 1 rest day per month, however, should it reach the extent that maids have off-days weekly?
Maids are hired to take care of the family, in circumstances such as when the independent adults go working on a daily basis and lack of time to take care of their needs or when there are disabled or particularly needy members in the house. Maids do most of the housework mostly on weekdays, including cooking, babysitting and sweeping whatever mansion that the employer owns. They do numerous amount of blue-collared work, and they are paid for their efforts to maintain the family. Many employers might think that maids are lowly, unworthy of their respect, of a lower 'caste' or even treating them as slaves and abusing them, thus, not treating them as humans and not giving them 'sufficient' liberty.
However, maids are people, and they have life too! They are not generated by unlimited amount of battery, and they are not robots. I feel that they should be 'freed' during weekends, when employers be staying at home, and bond with their fellow friends, so as to relax and have a balanced lifestyle. As long as their work attitude will not be affected negatively, I feel that there is no problem in giving them the freedom to have their off-days weekly. Instead, I actually think that by meeting up with friends might even improve their work attitude.
Firstly, by working for long hours daily, maids might feel weary and tired, and seeing that their off-days are a month ahead, they might be depressed and despondent, thus being unable to perform to their personal best due to low spirits. Furthermore, this weariness might brood unhappiness against their employers for giving them insufficient off-days, and their moodiness might lead to defiance against their employers' orders, thus ruining their employer-employee relationship and might lead to even worse and dire consequences. Therefore, by offering time to befriend people weekly would give them an opportunity to speak their sorrows out, and at the same time receive some consolations and encouragements from their friends. Furthermore, this would also allow them to look forward to a day that is closer, thus making days seem shorter and improving their work attitude.
In conclusion, I think that maids should indeed be given off-days weekly to rest. By doing so, not only do maids benefit from it, employers would also profit from it, since they would not need to face the sulky face of their maid and though work days for maids are less, they would be more efficient and productive. Thus, in a nutshell, giving maids to rest weekly would lead to a win-win situation for both parties.
Maids are hired to take care of the family, in circumstances such as when the independent adults go working on a daily basis and lack of time to take care of their needs or when there are disabled or particularly needy members in the house. Maids do most of the housework mostly on weekdays, including cooking, babysitting and sweeping whatever mansion that the employer owns. They do numerous amount of blue-collared work, and they are paid for their efforts to maintain the family. Many employers might think that maids are lowly, unworthy of their respect, of a lower 'caste' or even treating them as slaves and abusing them, thus, not treating them as humans and not giving them 'sufficient' liberty.
However, maids are people, and they have life too! They are not generated by unlimited amount of battery, and they are not robots. I feel that they should be 'freed' during weekends, when employers be staying at home, and bond with their fellow friends, so as to relax and have a balanced lifestyle. As long as their work attitude will not be affected negatively, I feel that there is no problem in giving them the freedom to have their off-days weekly. Instead, I actually think that by meeting up with friends might even improve their work attitude.
Firstly, by working for long hours daily, maids might feel weary and tired, and seeing that their off-days are a month ahead, they might be depressed and despondent, thus being unable to perform to their personal best due to low spirits. Furthermore, this weariness might brood unhappiness against their employers for giving them insufficient off-days, and their moodiness might lead to defiance against their employers' orders, thus ruining their employer-employee relationship and might lead to even worse and dire consequences. Therefore, by offering time to befriend people weekly would give them an opportunity to speak their sorrows out, and at the same time receive some consolations and encouragements from their friends. Furthermore, this would also allow them to look forward to a day that is closer, thus making days seem shorter and improving their work attitude.
In conclusion, I think that maids should indeed be given off-days weekly to rest. By doing so, not only do maids benefit from it, employers would also profit from it, since they would not need to face the sulky face of their maid and though work days for maids are less, they would be more efficient and productive. Thus, in a nutshell, giving maids to rest weekly would lead to a win-win situation for both parties.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Home Based Learning
Rainbow Death
America did not foresee
Green, pink, purple and other colors death potpourri!
Expecting others to pay a high price.
Now thinking twice?
Toll on the innocent and unborn.
Omnipotent and disregarding who will mourn.
Reflective about all the illness, birth defects and prematurely dead.
All the deceit continues to spread.
Nefariously America led astray -
Generations untold WILL pay -
Execrable effects of agent orange spray!
Hubert Wilson
Task 1:
Although this poem depicts the war that happened in the past, Hubert's poem "Rainbow Death" shows a modern day ingredient of warfare, Agent Orange. Agent Orange is a code name for herbicide and defoliant used by the US military in its herbicidal warfare program during the Vietnam War. Hence, from this source of information, we can tell that the poem that Hubert wrote was about the Vietnam War. It reminds us that the war may not be over even when it is over.
Hubert Wilson is a Vietnam War veteran who served in the United States Air Force security service. Together with a dozen or so intelligence school graduates, they prepped for about 14 months at Kelly AFB in San Antonio, Texas. They were sent to Vietnam or other places in Southeast Asia in 1970. About half of them ended up in the 6924th Security Squadron, Da Nang, which is an Agent Orange hotspot. The rest of them were assigned to Shemya Island, Alaska along with the 6984th Security Squadron, which was a far more contaminated environment than Da Nang. After staying there for about 18 years, he started to have unexplained headaches and limb pains. His central nervous system radically deteriorated with Parkinsonian type tremors, severe headaches, progessive limb pains etc. No doctors have been able to diagnose the illness. Since his brain is still functioning moderately well although he has mobility issues, he has decided to turn to writing.
Agent Orange is a code name for a herbicide and defoliant used by the US military in its herbicidal warfare program during the Vietnam war. From 1962 to 1971, Agent Orange was the most widely used in the herbicidal warfare program. During the production, dioxins were produced as contaminant, which caused numerous health problems to millions of people exposed to it, thus reminding us readers that war is still not over.
This poem speaks of a modern day ingredient of warfare that has caused appalling death and suffering, not only to the Vietnamese, but even the USA themselves, which means both sides are affected. Agent Orange is contaminated with TCDD, which is very dangerous. During the war, about 4.8 million Vietnamese people were exposed to Agent Orange, resulting in 400,000 deaths and disabilities, with 500,000 children born with birth defects.
http://www.warpoetry.co.uk/2010warpoetry.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agent_Orange
http://y09hci0406.blogspot.com/
http://literatureisnotabore.blogspot.com/2010/05/rainbow-death-analysis.html
http://mon-aime.blogspot.com/2010/05/analysis-of-rainbow-death.html
Task 2:
1. Point of View
This poem is written from the point of view of an American soldier, who had experienced the Vietnam War personally. Hubert Wilson experienced the war and the pain of war, thus this written poem is a primary source which could be biased.
2. Situation and Setting
The setting of the poem is during the Vietnam war, where America had resorted to using huge amounts of "Agent Orange" spray. The effects of the “Agent Orange”, which are herbicide and defoliant, have lasted until today.
3. Language/ Diction
Metaphor/ alliteration – Pink, purple and other colors death potpourri. The repetition of the sound of the short and harsh “P” leads your imagination to the blast of explosives, creating the setting mood of the poem, which was Vietnam War.
“Potpourri” used in this context is also a metaphor. The definition of potpourri is a mixture of dried petals and spices placed in a bowl to perfume a room or
a mixture or medley of things. Thus, in my opinion, it is referring to American army attacking North Vietnam by producing herbicide and defoliant of different colours and components to destroy Vietnam's forests, which were hiding places and strongholds for the Viet Cong.
Rhythm – Between the line and the subsequent one. Rhythm allows the reader to read more fluently in such a manner that seems to link the whole poem up and to be read in one voice.
(e.g. foresee/ potpourri, price/ twice, unborn/ mourn, dead/ spread and astray/ pay/ spray) Use of capital letters – WILL “Pink”, “purple” and “potpourri” are alliteration. The word “WILL” is written in capital letters to stress the importance of the result of the Americans’ actions, which is generations untold “WILL” pay. It catches the eye of the reader so when the reader reads the word, they would tend to hold and drag the word longer, seemingly criticizing America.
4. Personal Response
War is does not just last for the period of time, because there are aftermaths to the war. In the context of the poem, it is the “Agent Orange” that had aftereffects on the people such as "illness, birth defects and prematurely dead" and not to forget Cancer. The future generations will also be nonetheless affected and will suffer the punishment of their forefathers. Based on my knowledge of other wars, Hiroshima and Nagasaki had later effects on Japanese such as radiation that led to Cancer. Thus, this shows that war is indeed destructive to the society and we should do our best to promote peace and prosperity between countries and prevent having wars, as it only hurts innocent lives. In order to understand more on this poem, the best thing we could do is to read up on the background of the poem, since the background is in war and we could not travel back in time to suffer the ordeal and I am sure too that no one would be willing to torture themselves. Definitely, those who had endured wars surely had stronger feelings on this matter, thus being able to appreciate the poem more.
America did not foresee
Green, pink, purple and other colors death potpourri!
Expecting others to pay a high price.
Now thinking twice?
Toll on the innocent and unborn.
Omnipotent and disregarding who will mourn.
Reflective about all the illness, birth defects and prematurely dead.
All the deceit continues to spread.
Nefariously America led astray -
Generations untold WILL pay -
Execrable effects of agent orange spray!
Hubert Wilson
Task 1:
Although this poem depicts the war that happened in the past, Hubert's poem "Rainbow Death" shows a modern day ingredient of warfare, Agent Orange. Agent Orange is a code name for herbicide and defoliant used by the US military in its herbicidal warfare program during the Vietnam War. Hence, from this source of information, we can tell that the poem that Hubert wrote was about the Vietnam War. It reminds us that the war may not be over even when it is over.
Hubert Wilson is a Vietnam War veteran who served in the United States Air Force security service. Together with a dozen or so intelligence school graduates, they prepped for about 14 months at Kelly AFB in San Antonio, Texas. They were sent to Vietnam or other places in Southeast Asia in 1970. About half of them ended up in the 6924th Security Squadron, Da Nang, which is an Agent Orange hotspot. The rest of them were assigned to Shemya Island, Alaska along with the 6984th Security Squadron, which was a far more contaminated environment than Da Nang. After staying there for about 18 years, he started to have unexplained headaches and limb pains. His central nervous system radically deteriorated with Parkinsonian type tremors, severe headaches, progessive limb pains etc. No doctors have been able to diagnose the illness. Since his brain is still functioning moderately well although he has mobility issues, he has decided to turn to writing.
Agent Orange is a code name for a herbicide and defoliant used by the US military in its herbicidal warfare program during the Vietnam war. From 1962 to 1971, Agent Orange was the most widely used in the herbicidal warfare program. During the production, dioxins were produced as contaminant, which caused numerous health problems to millions of people exposed to it, thus reminding us readers that war is still not over.
This poem speaks of a modern day ingredient of warfare that has caused appalling death and suffering, not only to the Vietnamese, but even the USA themselves, which means both sides are affected. Agent Orange is contaminated with TCDD, which is very dangerous. During the war, about 4.8 million Vietnamese people were exposed to Agent Orange, resulting in 400,000 deaths and disabilities, with 500,000 children born with birth defects.
http://www.warpoetry.co.uk/2010warpoetry.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agent_Orange
http://y09hci0406.blogspot.com/
http://literatureisnotabore.blogspot.com/2010/05/rainbow-death-analysis.html
http://mon-aime.blogspot.com/2010/05/analysis-of-rainbow-death.html
Task 2:
1. Point of View
This poem is written from the point of view of an American soldier, who had experienced the Vietnam War personally. Hubert Wilson experienced the war and the pain of war, thus this written poem is a primary source which could be biased.
2. Situation and Setting
The setting of the poem is during the Vietnam war, where America had resorted to using huge amounts of "Agent Orange" spray. The effects of the “Agent Orange”, which are herbicide and defoliant, have lasted until today.
3. Language/ Diction
Metaphor/ alliteration – Pink, purple and other colors death potpourri. The repetition of the sound of the short and harsh “P” leads your imagination to the blast of explosives, creating the setting mood of the poem, which was Vietnam War.
“Potpourri” used in this context is also a metaphor. The definition of potpourri is a mixture of dried petals and spices placed in a bowl to perfume a room or
a mixture or medley of things. Thus, in my opinion, it is referring to American army attacking North Vietnam by producing herbicide and defoliant of different colours and components to destroy Vietnam's forests, which were hiding places and strongholds for the Viet Cong.
Rhythm – Between the line and the subsequent one. Rhythm allows the reader to read more fluently in such a manner that seems to link the whole poem up and to be read in one voice.
(e.g. foresee/ potpourri, price/ twice, unborn/ mourn, dead/ spread and astray/ pay/ spray) Use of capital letters – WILL “Pink”, “purple” and “potpourri” are alliteration. The word “WILL” is written in capital letters to stress the importance of the result of the Americans’ actions, which is generations untold “WILL” pay. It catches the eye of the reader so when the reader reads the word, they would tend to hold and drag the word longer, seemingly criticizing America.
4. Personal Response
War is does not just last for the period of time, because there are aftermaths to the war. In the context of the poem, it is the “Agent Orange” that had aftereffects on the people such as "illness, birth defects and prematurely dead" and not to forget Cancer. The future generations will also be nonetheless affected and will suffer the punishment of their forefathers. Based on my knowledge of other wars, Hiroshima and Nagasaki had later effects on Japanese such as radiation that led to Cancer. Thus, this shows that war is indeed destructive to the society and we should do our best to promote peace and prosperity between countries and prevent having wars, as it only hurts innocent lives. In order to understand more on this poem, the best thing we could do is to read up on the background of the poem, since the background is in war and we could not travel back in time to suffer the ordeal and I am sure too that no one would be willing to torture themselves. Definitely, those who had endured wars surely had stronger feelings on this matter, thus being able to appreciate the poem more.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Term 2 Lesson 4: War - Living Hell
Dear diary,
The war was simply disastrous. Ghastly white buildings were smeared with dirt and lined with cruel cracks, transforming into a shabby and monstrous devil, resembling a genuine living hell; Paved and clean roads were suffocated with thick layers of rubble, resulting from the destructive explosives, bombs and cannons; The beautiful sky was obscured with the depressing mass of tiny dust, turning its head in disgust and disappointment to human’s uncivilized behavior…
However, what was left paled into insignificance in contrast with what brave and vigilant soldiers like us suffered. Mental distortion, physical damage, aftermath effects, last but not least, heartbreak due to the loss of loved ones… Those who endured the torture and ordeal of the war may be considered as strongest of men, but they themselves do not – after so much suffering they have gone through, they would only see themselves proud for securing and protecting their countries, or lucky, or maybe only relieved, since so many had died in the whole process of protecting their hometown, and yet only little people who mourned over the dead bodies. The dead do not have their kin and relatives by their sides when their eyes lids were closed – or maybe not, since many died in regret and remorse.
The blinding flash of light, the exploding burst of heat, the excruciating pain, and the crying sound of people and the dejected and solemn faces – all are still vivid in my memories. I still could see the gaunt and weathered face of my teammates, and I still remembered how we gone through the difficulties when at last, one by one they subdued to the war. Looking down at my amputated right arm and stitched stomach, I felt a shiver down my spine, and at the same time, the memories seem to come alive, haunting me.
A grenade was thrown mercilessly at me, tearing out pieces of flesh and bone in a shower of red, and my arm… so this was the hard facts of life?
I still considered myself lucky, just from the mere fact of surviving the war.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Korean War
Background information:
Succeeding the surrender of Japan in 1945, American administrators separated the Korean peninsula along the 38th Parallel, with the United States conquering the southern part and Soviet troops occupying the northern part. However, in 1948, the failure to hold free elections throughout the Korean Peninsula further deepened the division between both sides, and the North established a Communist government. A nationalist democracy, on the other hand, was imposed onto the South by the United States. From then on, the 38th Parallel became a political border between the two Koreas.
Causes of War:
After the ravage by the Japanese on Korea, both the Soviet Union and the United States claimed to establish a stable and unified Korea in order to withdraw their military forces from the region. Yet, both parties were unwilling to fulfill and mete out their promises due to the distrust between them – Neither the Soviet Union or the United States wanted the peninsula to fall into the other’s hand. Korea, therefore, became a stage for war, which was a result of the physical division of Korea by an agreement of the victorious Allies at the conclusion of the Pacific War at the end of World War II.
Process of War:
On a Sunday 25th June1950, under the guise of counter-attacking a South Korean provocative invasion, the Korean People’s Army crossed the 38th parallel behind artillery fire at dawn. The Korean People’s Army claimed that Republic of Korea Army (
There were times when victory was in sight, yet the other party would retaliate back, seizing back their land. With both North and South Korea supported by external powers, the Korean War was a proxy war. From a military science standpoint, it combined strategies and tactics of World War I and World War II: it originated from mobile crusade of swift infantry assaults shadowed by air bombing raids, but became a stagnant trench war by July 1951. The Korean War finally ceased fire, when an armistice was signed on 27th July 1953.
Outcomes and Consequences:
Being the most destructive of the 20th century, the Korean War devastated Korea, with casualties of 4 million Koreans, and China losing up to 1 million soldiers. The United States suffered 36,934 dead and 103,284 wounded while Other UN nations grieved over 3322 dead and 11,949 wounded. Korean War also brought social impairment to Korea, especially in the North, where three years of bombing left hardly a modern building erect, yet reinforced the boundaries between the North and the South. North Korea remained a communist nation and South Korea became a free republic. This social difference still brings about clashes even today.
Lessons learnt from War:
We can learn from this war that weak countries totally have no power to make decision for their own future. Taking the Korean War as an example, they are just regarded as chess pieces by the strong countries such as the Soviet Union and the United States. It also can be seen that dominant countries, when combating for a bigger land space and seizing power, often lead to the death of innocent lives, and result in even bigger losses and unforgivable faults, such as leading to the breakup of Korea and the disharmony and unrest among the citizens there.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
'Students should be given more freedom in deciding school rules.' What are your views?
Teachers set and determine the school rules. Students abide accordingly to the school rules. The school’s system had been so from past till present, since teachers have years of experience and wisdom gained from their past, they knew precisely the steps and the guideline for a student’s moral uplift and excellence. Freedom, democracy, liberty, these nonsensical thoughts should be abolished and abandoned by these rebellious youngsters, because this would simply lead to the blind leading the blind, and the downgrading of moral education.
Students nowadays, having an easy and smooth life and with the society focusing on academics and neglecting moral education, are getting more rebellious. They think that they have a fully-developed and sufficiently matured mind, thus, transforming into a stubborn and obstinate person who does not accept others viewpoints and at the same time, changed into someone that wants their own set of rules, fighting for ‘freedom in speech’ and ‘liberty in setting their own school rules’.
I feel that students already have enough freedom to choose their own set of school rules. For instance, in my school, students are allowed to voice their opinion out to the school and teachers would take those advices for consideration. If we give more freedom to them, letting them choose their own set of rules without the teacher’s selection and guidance, the rules would be absurd and pointless, since all of their rules would be easy to fulfill and even possible that they stress on wrong qualities, causing students to go astray and taking the wrong turn in life.
Furthermore, most of them do not have an aim and are just blindly opposing. They feel that the school rules are too rigid and it is too hard to fulfill them. If schools allow them to speak, they would demand for a set of rules that is easier on them, downgrading the level of moral education. Hence, it is compulsory for a teacher to lead them, and a set of proper and well-maintained rules for them to adhere strictly to, lest most of them would probably change for the worse.
School rules are meant for students to follow, not to oppose. Therefore, in order to eradicate this unhealthy mindset of youngsters, schools must increase their focus civic and moral education and stress on the importance of such rules.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Does nuclear energy still have a part to play in the world?
Nuclear energy leakage from a nuclear plant had an important part to play in the recent disaster that struck Japan, and it also had to be held responsible for the pandemonium caused in the past few decades, namely the Three Island in 1979 and Chernobyl 1985. Nuclear disasters wreaked havoc and caused chaos in the economy flourishing Japan, resulting in a huge calamity of innocent lives and the plummet of Japan’s economy. However, though nuclear energy seemed dangerous and a precarious time bomb that may explode anytime, yet it still could be a very useful tool that aids us in everyday lives, thus the benefits and harms done by the usage of these useful and dangerous energy source is greatly dependent on the owner himself.
Nuclear material has a number of useful properties, including the smoke detectors. The research industry also uses radioactive waste in projects to discover information about the subatomic or otherwise undetectable parts of their project. The medical profession uses radioactive waste from nuclear plants in a large number of applications: X-rays, detection of cancer, fighting cancer, magnetic resonance imagining and thyroid treatment. Low-level radioactive waste however, could be developed and used in the production of clothing, hand tools and in water purifying resins.
Nuclear energy, after all these advanced and high-technology examples given, seemed to be very attractive and an indispensible daily necessity, or perhaps in the medical point of view. Yet, if the owner misuses it, it could be the most disastrous weapon ever on earth, for instance, the nuclear bomb, releasing a destructive force of approximately 10,000,000 tons of TNT, is definitely sufficient to cause devastation in any medium-sized country, using blast, fire and the aftermath effect – radiation, which could cause numerous diseases such as the fatal skin cancer.
Nevertheless, it is a source of power for nuclear plants to produce electricity in a much greener way, reducing the emission of the vast amount of toxic gases such as carbon dioxide and monoxide. Though efficient, decreasing the greenhouse effects and decelerating the rate of global warming, it is a ticking bomb and could shatter a country simply with any overwhelming force such as the natural disasters in Japan recently.
As the saying goes, better safe than sorry, in my point of view, although electricity is vital for a country’s growth and development, it is not compulsory just for living a simple life, therefore I feel that nuclear plants still have a part to play in the world, yet it is not a necessity in certain perspectives!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
War - A Personal Response
A ghastly white and dilapidated building stood astray of the dusted and scorched street, with it straightening its body up in disgust and struggling not to see the depressing scene right below its foot. Yet, it was unable to do so. Wooden planks that laid on either sides of it vibrated in objection and the sharp, merciless lines and cracks instantly appeared on the very walls of the cold block of building. They were the old wounds, resulted from the wreckage of guns and cannons. And now, they burst again without any blood, reflecting the way people are living now. No blood, no feelings, no nothing, without a single strand of sadness and sorrow to those injured or even died, because they were simply too tired to do so.
Two men leaned their backs again the weak walls of the building, faces stricken in disgust and pity and sympathy for another life gone, but yet pulling their bodies away from the body directly in front of their very eyes. It, the body, was dragged and carried off by three men. Its head drooped lifelessly downward, seemingly disintegrated from the neck of the man. The face was surrounded under the darkened shadow of death, and all we could see is the messy and curly silver-linen hair of the man, which added to the paleness of him. Two men beside him caught hold of his arms, and tugged it strongly and hastily. Wearing thick coats and long jeans and crude gloves, their face hung down in indifference. Possibly, they were already very used to the shifting of dead bodies.
Behind them, the last man stood, also aiding in the moving of the dead body. Snatching the back hem of his clothes, his face was yet only a bit grieved and dejected. He too, was hasty in his movements, but at least he gave a little respect through his clam eyes and thick brows.
Perhaps they all felt oppressed and devastated, perhaps this was life - a flickering speck of light. Perhaps they were just overwhelmed by the deaths in war, and had too much to think of therefore, leaving no attention to the dead.
The dead, the soul, would just fade and rot and decompose away, without any attention, prayer, a coffin or funeral...
Two men leaned their backs again the weak walls of the building, faces stricken in disgust and pity and sympathy for another life gone, but yet pulling their bodies away from the body directly in front of their very eyes. It, the body, was dragged and carried off by three men. Its head drooped lifelessly downward, seemingly disintegrated from the neck of the man. The face was surrounded under the darkened shadow of death, and all we could see is the messy and curly silver-linen hair of the man, which added to the paleness of him. Two men beside him caught hold of his arms, and tugged it strongly and hastily. Wearing thick coats and long jeans and crude gloves, their face hung down in indifference. Possibly, they were already very used to the shifting of dead bodies.
Behind them, the last man stood, also aiding in the moving of the dead body. Snatching the back hem of his clothes, his face was yet only a bit grieved and dejected. He too, was hasty in his movements, but at least he gave a little respect through his clam eyes and thick brows.
Perhaps they all felt oppressed and devastated, perhaps this was life - a flickering speck of light. Perhaps they were just overwhelmed by the deaths in war, and had too much to think of therefore, leaving no attention to the dead.
The dead, the soul, would just fade and rot and decompose away, without any attention, prayer, a coffin or funeral...
Monday, March 28, 2011
Letter: Japan's Tsunami
Dearest sister:
Thank god! I manage to survive the destructive tsunami and horrendous earthquake, but others who did not were swept and struck by the sheer force of the white waters, and some simply gone missing...should I be grateful and elated for surviving now or weeping and crying over the loss of the innocents?
How very fortunate that you were not in Japan, in Tokyo! The mere sights of the wreckage in Japan cause me heartbroken. The grand and huge mansion that I built over years, spending so much time and effort in the structure and building of it. And money! All that I saved over the hard and tough years had all disappeared with the retreating tide of the tsunami! However, here I am, safe and healthy, therefore, I should not crying over spilled milk cause there are so many victims who are suffering out there under the harsh conditions! Furthermore, so many people had lost their families and friends! This was what that happened…
Hanging on the precarious pole of the crooked lamppost, clinging on the last strand of hope, my hands felt weary and worn out, almost wanting to let go and let myself float in the murky strong waters, looking at the cars and houses being destroyed under my very own eyes, I felt like giving out. But those kind and helpful neighbours of mine, with pale faces and trembling lips with thin and weak hands, trying to catch hold to something around them... We gave support and encouragement to one another, but we did not cry, because we knew that if we do so, we most probably would be disheartened and the heart-breaking atmosphere would spread around, and people's willpower being weakened by every second, and give up sooner or later.
I had been driving on the expressway that is smoothly streaming with speeding cars. With the radio rambling on and on in the car, the tsunami came when we were not even prepared. We did not even expect it to come so fast...
The radio informed nervously to all Japan folks just yesterday that tsunami was reaching the shores of Japan. Hearing the news, my neighbours and I decided to leave this place in tomorrow’s daybreak. Oh, we had no sense of urgency. Next day, I hastily packed up some food, valuables and clothes, driving down the expressway away from the dangerous sea with my neighbours in the car with me. We were not far away from my house when suddenly, from the hind mirror of the car, I saw towering waters flooding swiftly toward my direction. I was totally stunned. I quickly swerved my car away from the huge force and drove on. However, the whole wave of water was faster than I expected. I was engulfing our car soon! We got off the car and ran to the nearest tall building, and there we ended up hanging from a lamppost, seeing unfortunate cars being assaulted with the merciless force like paper boats...
After days in hunger and semi-consciousness, a group of relief workers came to our rescue. I felt a strong tug at my shoulders and feeling reassured, I fainted.
When I opened my eyes, I found myself in a hospital, with warm rice in my mouth that were donated by other countries. Though tasteless, it was delicious. A warm sensation flooded my heart. But there was more to come. Then, I saw the television in the hospital. Radiation leaked from nuclear plants!
Food supply was cut short and we lived a life of great hunger again. People around me cried, screamed, shouted, prayed but all to no avail. Then children started fall sick and parents were devastated. They actually gave up their limited portion of food to their children; because they could not bear to see their children shed a tear. How noble the parents’ love is! From the television, I learnt that the effect and aftermath of the leakage of radiation was very severe. Not only we did not have sufficient nutrition, people outside were also greatly susceptible to the radiation, which might be fatal. Other countries were also affected.
However, good news was announced not long after. The leakage of radiation was cured and food restored, doctors came to help out with the patients and the sick. However, the ruins and wastes were still yet to be cleared. It definitely would cause a great economic depreciation for Japan. Therefore, I hope that you could help Japan out by donating some money and help the Japanese. Helping others is a virtue, so please spread the message!
Here, I hope that you could cherish the people around you and do not take them for granted. After this incident, I would definitely treat everyone better and be grateful to them, Be thankful in Singapore!
Love,
Yi Wei
Friday, March 4, 2011
Comments
Hi Nicholas,
I would love going to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve with you next time because I loved going there too, though I most probably saunter along the side trails because I would prefer a quieter environment to enjoy myself. Also, I would look out for insects, birds and other animals because there is a huge variety of rare creatures in that area. Once, I even saw a flying lima resting among the shady branches between the trees, and when I went back home, I actually did a little research on them and found out that they are actually nocturnal mammals.
However, regarding the point on monkeys, I do not really agree with you. Monkeys could be seen almost every time I went there, because they would just be sitting along the sidewalks or just aside the main roads. If you do not provoke them or bare your teeth at them, they would most probably not assault you. However, there were also some cases where people were chased by monkeys because monkeys would think that the plastic bags, which is the person's property, contained food, as they were too used to people feeding them and they gradually became more and more overdependent and reliable on human.
Well, it also seemed to you that you like quarries! I love the scenery of quarries, due to the deep and placid blue waters, reflecting the gently swaying trees above. There is also a quarry in Pulau Ubin too, and if you had the time, I would recommend you to go there, because it is more serene and secluded there, so you could really feel the touch of Nature.
Hey Weiran!
I would actually like to say a few things and express my own opinion on this topic too! To me, the effect of discrimination is straightforward and fast. However, the result of being prejudiced against is slow and gradual, and rather of mentally hurt than physically hurt, and more severe consequence of being prejudiced against could be being depressed about oneself.
Remember that day when Mr. Lum showed us on a video youtube, when the fat lady Susan Boyle in her mid-50s wearing very simple clothes took part and contested in the Britain's Got Talent competition. At first, I thought that she would be lousy, just like what the judges expressed through their facial expression. The woman seemed very discouraged, but she still summoned the courage to sing her song. Once she opened her mouth, I noticed that she had a very powerful and touching voice, and she could reach a wide range of keys.
From this, I learnt that we should not judge a book by its appearance and I also realised that the one who mocked at others is the stupidest person. Therefore, I hope that we could stop discriminating and being prejudiced against others.
Weiran, I like your way of describing quite a few scenes, for example the sentence on a flying vehicle going toward Michael. I liked the description because of the specific details you gave such as the vehicle travelling at 570 kilometers per hour, though I am a little bit doubtful if Michael could really deduce the speed of the vehicle. However, this showed your style in writing because you managed to describe the speed of the vehicle in an exaggerated manner.
It also seemed that you loved writing dialogues and thoughts. The dialogues between Michael and Jacques are very smooth-flowing and does not seem fake and you also managed to practice the different methods that Mr. Lum taught about bringing alive the dialogues and characters. Great job! The part where I like particularly is when the flying vehicle almost crashed into Michael, "missing it by a few inches", because there is also a sound effect of Michael exclaiming in shock, making the story realistic. Normally, I would forget the exclamations of the characters in a story when something frightening happened, reducing the effect of the tense atmosphere.
However, I would like to give you some advice on improving the story. I feel that you could add on more vivid descriptions to the scenery and focus more on the mood and atmosphere of the story. Also, I think that the story plot could be improved though I like your ending.
Wish that you could post more interesting stories!
Hello Kevin,
I really envy you for having a library that has such a conducive learning environment near your house and that it is easily accessible. For me, sometimes I faced problems of not being able to concentrate on homework or revision when I am at home, because there are lots and lots of distractions. For instance, the "evil" computer.
Since many of our homeworks should be done online and many resources could be researched online, therefore, every time I surfed the net, I would see the huge variety of game websites, and I would be tempted to click on the website and once I do that, I would be stuck to the game for quite a long time.
Therefore, I really desire to have a library near my home. If there is a library situated near my home, every time I feel like working hard for tests or revising, I could concentrate there. Though there are a few libraries around my home, for example the Queenstown Library which you have mentioned, I would take nearly half an hour to reach there and calculating the overall time spent on travelling, it would be one hour.
Before ending my comment, I would like to say that you are seriously very fortunate to have a quiet and serene library to study in near your house!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Online lesson: Point Of View
1) Point of view of: Headmaster
Wearing a black suit, I stood on the stage. Looking down, I saw a massive mass of people. The crowd of students had their faces and eyes glowing brightly with eagerness while the weathered and strict faces of the parents gleamed proudly at their children. As the elegant music of the fade away slowly, I began my speech.
In the midst of introducing and praising the school to new parents and students, I ordered the senior students to stand up. With a loud vibration, the students rose up from their seats orderly, gazing and staring forward steadily as they gaped open their mouth, voicing out the discipline and morals of the school. Holding their lanterns steadily in their hand, I can see their pride and honour for being a part of the school.
As the thunderous applause of the parents diminished, the students unhurriedly sat down. Looking at them, I let out a pleasing sigh, “What a magnificent and splendid school!”
3) Point of view of: New Student
I felt a sense of security and warmth having my parents seated next to me and holding their huge and wrinkled hands. Nevertheless, looking at the massive yet hollow auditorium and the cold and solemn faces of the senior students, I felt like a fish out of water.
Initially, the stern yet proud mask of the principal caused my discomfort and unease. However, the next thing that caught my very eyes was those grave and serious looks of my seniors. All these left me with a very negative and pessimistic impression of this school and a prediction of my own future: a stressful and restless school life.
As the principal instructed students to stand up, I was still daydreaming and fretting over my future. However, a small nudge from my parents broke my chain of thoughts and when I glanced at the surroundings, my parents gestured me to stand up. Rising up slowly, a fear overcame me: am I going to be so confused and muddle-headed for the rest of the year?
First person point of view is talking from one's point of view, and it allows the reader to understand the person's feeling more vividly, because if you wrote in a third person's point of view, it would be all knowing and fair, not bias like first person's point of view. However, second person's point of view is less seen. It gives an effect to let you be in the protagonist's shoes and let you understand the story better.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Reflection on Language Arts program
I learnt a lot of knowledge from the Language Arts program. The thing that I feel I benefited most from is learning characterization for essay writing. We could describe and show the characters’ personality through many methods, for example dialogues, description of appearance and also show but not tell, and from all these methods, we can subdivide them into many other categories. Through characterisation, we could make our fictional characters come alive and let readers have a physical idea on how they are.
I like the program whenever we have discussions and presentations because if we listen intently, we could gain a lot from many classmates’ point of view for some questions. For example, many of us had different ideas on the purpose of the use of a particular metaphor. Furthermore, the lesson would be very lively and interesting because many of us would express our own thoughts.
I like the lesson especially when we analysed the different texts in “To Kill A Mockingbird” and also the lesson on seeing what literary devices are used by the authors to describe the settings. Spotting the literary devices are very fun and challenging, and having a chance to express my opinion and hearing others’ view is simply satisfying.
Almost everything is perfect and nicely planned. The only thing that I wish to see an amendment and improvement is that I hope to have more group discussions and presentations in groups so that lesson would be more exciting! Also, I think that every student must participate actively in each discussion and not the same people voicing out their opinions each time.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Scenery description of the favourite place in my neighbourhood: Grass hill
The shaft of sunlight infiltrated the neatly planted trees in the condominiums and landed onto the small stretch of greenery, breathing life in to each and every strand of grass and signifying the start of a new day. The senduduk flowers blossomed under the glorious and lively sunlight, the fresh pinkness sparkling with energy like calm and placid waves under the splendid sunlight. Dews that formed in the cold night glisten like crystals under the sun and slowly as the sun rise up higher and higher up into the sky, the dying dews started to evaporate, forming a hazy curtain of water vapour, causing the appearance of the grass hill to seem mysterious.
As the sun inches its way to the blazing sky, the curtain starts to open up under the blazing ball of fire. The weary atmosphere of the grass hill started to brighten up. Bees started buzzing from flower to flower, like the incessant chattering of crickets; long grass extended its elongated shadow across the greenish hill, like a mass of uneven joss sticks; cicadas started to murmur joyfully in a chorus, like the ceaseless lapping of waves.
Everything seemed to get alive under the sun, which is the source of light and heat, and also, the source of energy in nature.
Characterisation: Story Excerpt
Feng Tian Wei contributed significantly to Singapore, with her teammates, represented Singapore for the first time in the Olympic Games and in the group competition, helped Singapore to defeat the South Korea by 3-2. She defeated the two South Koreans, Dang Ye-Seo and Park Mi-Young, both of whom played a very defensive style and it needed extremely great perseverance and skills. All the balls played must be very accurate and precise, and Feng Tian Wei must be able to anti-spin the balls played by the South Koreans, or else Feng Tian Wei might lose out to them because the South Koreans could counter spin balls and even smashes very well and return spin balls.
The match begin and she fought very well, showing her strength, agility and control of the table tennis ball. At first she tackled the South Korean players very carefully, only smashing the ball at the right time. Soon, she was in the lead. Every point gained required a lot of perseverance and the process was extremely slow and a very tedious process. However, at the later part of the game, she was sweating profusely and began to lose concentration. Nevertheless, she won at the end of the game, storing enough concentration to fight each game.
This showed that Feng Tian Wei is a very careful and skillful player, with great perseverance and concentration.
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