As you all know, National Day is coming out soon. This year, for the Sec 1s, we will be going to Taman Jurong to collect newspapers to raise money for the needy. You may think this is rather odd. On National Day, usually it is a time to sing songs and remember our history (actually, would be good for upcoming history test:), not go out and do CIP.
To be honest, I too felt the same way. In my 6 years in primary school, national day is always the same. We come to school in red and white, sing the past 5-6 years of national day songs and somebody will come and tell us about the history of Singapore. Same old story.... However, even though it is good to sing the songs and recap on Singapore's history, there are also other meaningful things to do.
We all know that our forefathers worked hard to bring Singapore to its present state. If not for them, we would have such a green and clean city. Therefore, we should also do our part to help fellow Singaporeans. This is espicially apt as this year's National Day theme is "Come Together- Reach Out". The second half of the phrase is most important. We should reach out to help others no matter what the circumstances.
You can be sure I will give my best in the upcoming newspaper collection.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
My Broken Arm (continued)
Well, actually there is not much of a story left. (I had wanted to share something but it has slipped up out of my mind. )
My arm got better within 3 weeks but the doctor had given me a 8 week MC so I did not have to attend my CCA for the next 5 weeks which were the June holidays. Therefore, I was able to enjoy my school holidays without wasting 3 days a week. What a blessing in disguise! (Though I will probably not risk my arm for this situation).
My experience during this stiuation is that we should always be thankful that we (as in most of us) are physically abled. Without arms or legs, we would probably not be abled to do more things than we could imagine. For example, for me, I realised that, apart from obvoius things like typing, I also could not take out things from my bag, roll over when I sleep among other things.
It helped me understand how a disabled person feels.
My arm got better within 3 weeks but the doctor had given me a 8 week MC so I did not have to attend my CCA for the next 5 weeks which were the June holidays. Therefore, I was able to enjoy my school holidays without wasting 3 days a week. What a blessing in disguise! (Though I will probably not risk my arm for this situation).
My experience during this stiuation is that we should always be thankful that we (as in most of us) are physically abled. Without arms or legs, we would probably not be abled to do more things than we could imagine. For example, for me, I realised that, apart from obvoius things like typing, I also could not take out things from my bag, roll over when I sleep among other things.
It helped me understand how a disabled person feels.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
My Broken Arm
A few months ago, I mentioned that I would write a proper post about my broken arm. Firstly, I broke when my arm two weeks ago when I fell off a stool. Although that sounds awfully ridiculous, it happened that way. Therefore, I was taken to the hospital's A&E (stands for Accident and Emergency I think). With the current H1N1 virus spreading, everyone in the hospital had to take their temperature and wear masks. The nurse standing at the station passed me a mask, asking me to put it on. The problem was that my hand was in a lot of pain and you need two hands to put on a mask. I told her that I could not put on my mask. She looked at me, very agitated, saying that I had no choice.
I can understand that there were many people waiting to enter the A&E as it was extremely crowded because of the fact that it was a public holiday but then I think I would rather be served with good service than fast service. No matter how fast I am able to get into the area, there will still be a long queue to see the doctor. Later I had to wait almost 2 hours to see the doctor. The way the nurse looked at me was quite rude and I think she should have shown a little more consideration. I think it was quite obvious that I had an injury to my arm as I was using my other arm to support it.
I can understand that there were many people waiting to enter the A&E as it was extremely crowded because of the fact that it was a public holiday but then I think I would rather be served with good service than fast service. No matter how fast I am able to get into the area, there will still be a long queue to see the doctor. Later I had to wait almost 2 hours to see the doctor. The way the nurse looked at me was quite rude and I think she should have shown a little more consideration. I think it was quite obvious that I had an injury to my arm as I was using my other arm to support it.
Following that incident, I saw the doctor. The doctor asked what was wrong and when I told him he stated to bend my arm here and there very roughly. He asked which part of my arm was painful. I was unable to find a constant pain support as when he bended at different places, it was painful at different places and he continued. Fortunately, a nurse came in and told hem that he was needed to go somewhere. To my surprise, he muttered under his breath "s***" but loudly enough for me to hear.I do not expect such use of language from a doctor. Our teachers in school do not condone such language and this is not at all expected from a doctor. Also, the doctor was not at all gentle. I know he was rushing but he could have injured me more in the process.
After that, I was sent to have an x-ray. after taking the x-ray, I went back to the doctor. He studied the films from the x-ray and said that it was extremely serious and I had to go for an operation. I would also have to be out of PE for a minimum of nine months. That was such a shock to me and he called for a specialist to come down.
The specialist came down and told me that the doctor had seen the films wrongly and I only had a small fracture at the tip of my elbow. The doctor mistaked it for something else. I only had to be in a cast for 2 weeks. I heaved a sigh of relieve.
Unfortunately, who was to pay the $300 specialist consultation fee? My parents.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Building the Casino in Singapore
The casino being built in Singapore is supposed to be a money-maker and job creator. However, I feel that it will turn out to be the other way round, people will lose money and also lose their jobs. Why? Gambling Addiction.
Let us first look at why the government wants to build the casino. The 2 mains reasons are to boost Singapore’s image as a tourism hub and to boost the economy. Of course, the casino will generate more jobs at the casino. These are all good reasons but I feel that the banes have been ignored.
The government knows that even though most of the people at the casino will be “ang-moh” tourists who came here to spend big but there will still be a small group of locals who will come and try to strike it big. Like what “Defining Addiction And Its Many Forms” says, addiction is a quiet master which is very true. Many people start gambling and do not know they have gone overboard until a long time later and also do not want to admit it.
The casino will attract quite a fair bit Singaporeans. Although most will limit themselves, there will be a minority that becomes addicted. It will cause some of these people to lose there jobs, money, spouses and later there lives.
In conclusion, I feel that the casino should not have been constructed as I see it more of a bane than a boon.
Let us first look at why the government wants to build the casino. The 2 mains reasons are to boost Singapore’s image as a tourism hub and to boost the economy. Of course, the casino will generate more jobs at the casino. These are all good reasons but I feel that the banes have been ignored.
The government knows that even though most of the people at the casino will be “ang-moh” tourists who came here to spend big but there will still be a small group of locals who will come and try to strike it big. Like what “Defining Addiction And Its Many Forms” says, addiction is a quiet master which is very true. Many people start gambling and do not know they have gone overboard until a long time later and also do not want to admit it.
The casino will attract quite a fair bit Singaporeans. Although most will limit themselves, there will be a minority that becomes addicted. It will cause some of these people to lose there jobs, money, spouses and later there lives.
In conclusion, I feel that the casino should not have been constructed as I see it more of a bane than a boon.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Favourite Poet
If you were one of the many who have disliked poetry and writing from young, the last thing you would want to be would be a writer or poet. Well, that is exactly what Jack Prelutsky did.
The reason I chose this poet is because he writes funny and humorous poems (you can see in my previous post) which I enjoy reading and devotes his time to help children. I will elaborate further in the following paragraphs.
Let me give you a brief biography of his life. Jack was born in Brooklyn in 1940. As mentioned earlier, Jack hated poetry through most of his childhood, which I think is quite common in kids these days. However, he rediscovered it later in his life (not so common). This is what he said “I realized poetry was a means of communication, that it could be as exciting or as boring as that person or that experience."
He has written thirty collections of children’s poetry from the 1970s up to now. He now spends most of the time presenting poems to children in schools and libraries. His contribution to children should not be underestimated. He does not stop at writing poems for them. He also teaches them how to write some themselves. You can see some of his work on his website (http://www.jackprelutsky.com/). It is very informative. For example, if you want to know how to write a funny poem click here.
Below are 3 of his poems:
Happy birthday, Mother dearest,
we made breakfast just for you,
a watermelon omelette,
and a dish of popcorn too,
a cup of milk and sugar,
and a slice of blackened toast,
happy birthday, Mother dearest,
you’re the one we love the most.
As soon as Fred gets out of bed,
his underwear goes on his head.
His mother laughs, "Don't put it there,
a head's no place for underwear!"
But near his ears, above his brains,
is where Fred's underwear remains.
At night when Fred goes back to bed,
he deftly plucks it off his head.
His mother switches off the light
and softly croons, "Good night! Good night!"
And then, for reasons no one knows,
Fred's underwear goes on his toes.
My mother says I’m sickening,
my mother says I’m crude,
she says this when she sees me,
playing Ping-Pong with my food,
she doesn’t seem to like it
when I slurp my bowl of stew,
and now she’s got a list of things
she says I mustn’t do-
DO NOT CATAPULT THE CARROTS!
DO NOT JUGGLE GOBS OF FAT!
DO NOT DROP THE MASHED POTATOES
ON THE GERBIL OR THE CAT!
NEVER PUNCH THE PUMPKIN PUDDING!
NEVER TUNNEL THROUGH THE BREAD!
PUT NO PEAS INTO YOUR POCKET!
PLACE NO NOODLES ON YOUR HEAD!
DO NOT SQUEEZE THE STEAMED ZUCCHINI!
DO NOT MAKE THE MELON OOZE!
NEVER STUFF VANILLA YOGURT
IN YOUR LITTLE SISTER’S SHOES!
DRAW NO FACES IN THE KETCHUP!
MAKE NO LITTLE GRAVY POOLS!
I wish my mother wouldn’t make
so many useless rules.
From all this we can see how these poems can be easily understood by children and the lyrics are very catchy. The situations are what children can identify with. These poems can easily make children love poetry (but maybe not write.)
In conclusion, I feel that Jack is a great poet. His way of writing truly interacts with his audience—kids.
Citations
www.jackprelutsky.com/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Prelutsky
www.poets.org/jprel/
famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/jack_prelutsky
The reason I chose this poet is because he writes funny and humorous poems (you can see in my previous post) which I enjoy reading and devotes his time to help children. I will elaborate further in the following paragraphs.
Let me give you a brief biography of his life. Jack was born in Brooklyn in 1940. As mentioned earlier, Jack hated poetry through most of his childhood, which I think is quite common in kids these days. However, he rediscovered it later in his life (not so common). This is what he said “I realized poetry was a means of communication, that it could be as exciting or as boring as that person or that experience."
He has written thirty collections of children’s poetry from the 1970s up to now. He now spends most of the time presenting poems to children in schools and libraries. His contribution to children should not be underestimated. He does not stop at writing poems for them. He also teaches them how to write some themselves. You can see some of his work on his website (http://www.jackprelutsky.com/). It is very informative. For example, if you want to know how to write a funny poem click here.
Below are 3 of his poems:
Happy birthday, Mother dearest,
we made breakfast just for you,
a watermelon omelette,
and a dish of popcorn too,
a cup of milk and sugar,
and a slice of blackened toast,
happy birthday, Mother dearest,
you’re the one we love the most.
As soon as Fred gets out of bed,
his underwear goes on his head.
His mother laughs, "Don't put it there,
a head's no place for underwear!"
But near his ears, above his brains,
is where Fred's underwear remains.
At night when Fred goes back to bed,
he deftly plucks it off his head.
His mother switches off the light
and softly croons, "Good night! Good night!"
And then, for reasons no one knows,
Fred's underwear goes on his toes.
My mother says I’m sickening,
my mother says I’m crude,
she says this when she sees me,
playing Ping-Pong with my food,
she doesn’t seem to like it
when I slurp my bowl of stew,
and now she’s got a list of things
she says I mustn’t do-
DO NOT CATAPULT THE CARROTS!
DO NOT JUGGLE GOBS OF FAT!
DO NOT DROP THE MASHED POTATOES
ON THE GERBIL OR THE CAT!
NEVER PUNCH THE PUMPKIN PUDDING!
NEVER TUNNEL THROUGH THE BREAD!
PUT NO PEAS INTO YOUR POCKET!
PLACE NO NOODLES ON YOUR HEAD!
DO NOT SQUEEZE THE STEAMED ZUCCHINI!
DO NOT MAKE THE MELON OOZE!
NEVER STUFF VANILLA YOGURT
IN YOUR LITTLE SISTER’S SHOES!
DRAW NO FACES IN THE KETCHUP!
MAKE NO LITTLE GRAVY POOLS!
I wish my mother wouldn’t make
so many useless rules.
From all this we can see how these poems can be easily understood by children and the lyrics are very catchy. The situations are what children can identify with. These poems can easily make children love poetry (but maybe not write.)
In conclusion, I feel that Jack is a great poet. His way of writing truly interacts with his audience—kids.
Citations
www.jackprelutsky.com/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Prelutsky
www.poets.org/jprel/
famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/jack_prelutsky
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Figurative Language
Be Glad Your Nose is on Your Face by Jack Prelutsky
Be glad your nose is on your face,
not pasted on some other place,
for if it were where it is not,
you might dislike your nose a lot.
Imagine if your precious nose
were sandwiched in between your toes,
that clearly would not be a treat,
for you'd be forced to smell your feet.
Your nose would be a source of dread
were it attached atop your head,
it soon would drive you to despair,
forever tickled by your hair.
Within your ear, your nose would be
an absolute catastrophe,
for when you were obliged to sneeze,
your brain would rattle from the breeze.
Your nose, instead, through thick and thin,
remains between your eyes and chin,
not pasted on some other place--
be glad your nose is on your face!
1)How is figurative language used in this poem? Give the specific word(s), explain what type of figurative language it is and why the poet chose to use this figurative language?
Figurative Language is used at times the poem in its various types (hyperbole, personification, simile, symbols except metaphor). I shall elaborate below.
Hyperbole--Used to invoke an emotion or image. In this poem, the writer exaggerates the fact that if your nose is within your ear, your brain will rattle from the breeze, this may not be true but is used to create an image in the reader of a person shaking with a nose of his/her head.
Personification--An example of personification is when the writer uses the phrase tickled by your hair. Tickling is a human action but it is hair that is doing it, this is known as personification.
Simile--An example of a simile is when the author uses the words "for if it were where it not". The author is using it to elaborate on the previous line about the nose being pasted somewhere else.
Symbols--This poem may be an allegory of a human life. We usually fail to be thankful about a lot of things and always think that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.
2)Tell us why you like this poem in no less than 100 words.
I enjoy this poem as the author of this poem makes this poem meaningful and it also rhymes well. It reminds to be thankful that our body parts, not just the nose, are placed well on our body so that we would not have the difficulties as mentioned in this poem.
Another reason I like this poem is that the author uses modern English language to write the poem, unlike many other poems which uses the “thou”s and “thee”s. Not many authors are able to compose like the author of this poem Jack Prelutsky. The way he uses language makes his poems exciting and interesting. That is why I like this poem.
Be glad your nose is on your face,
not pasted on some other place,
for if it were where it is not,
you might dislike your nose a lot.
Imagine if your precious nose
were sandwiched in between your toes,
that clearly would not be a treat,
for you'd be forced to smell your feet.
Your nose would be a source of dread
were it attached atop your head,
it soon would drive you to despair,
forever tickled by your hair.
Within your ear, your nose would be
an absolute catastrophe,
for when you were obliged to sneeze,
your brain would rattle from the breeze.
Your nose, instead, through thick and thin,
remains between your eyes and chin,
not pasted on some other place--
be glad your nose is on your face!
1)How is figurative language used in this poem? Give the specific word(s), explain what type of figurative language it is and why the poet chose to use this figurative language?
Figurative Language is used at times the poem in its various types (hyperbole, personification, simile, symbols except metaphor). I shall elaborate below.
Hyperbole--Used to invoke an emotion or image. In this poem, the writer exaggerates the fact that if your nose is within your ear, your brain will rattle from the breeze, this may not be true but is used to create an image in the reader of a person shaking with a nose of his/her head.
Personification--An example of personification is when the writer uses the phrase tickled by your hair. Tickling is a human action but it is hair that is doing it, this is known as personification.
Simile--An example of a simile is when the author uses the words "for if it were where it not". The author is using it to elaborate on the previous line about the nose being pasted somewhere else.
Symbols--This poem may be an allegory of a human life. We usually fail to be thankful about a lot of things and always think that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.
2)Tell us why you like this poem in no less than 100 words.
I enjoy this poem as the author of this poem makes this poem meaningful and it also rhymes well. It reminds to be thankful that our body parts, not just the nose, are placed well on our body so that we would not have the difficulties as mentioned in this poem.
Another reason I like this poem is that the author uses modern English language to write the poem, unlike many other poems which uses the “thou”s and “thee”s. Not many authors are able to compose like the author of this poem Jack Prelutsky. The way he uses language makes his poems exciting and interesting. That is why I like this poem.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Book Review 2
Book Read: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (The Chronicles of Narnia)
From this story, I learned about the danger of gluttony. In this story, Edmund gets attracted by the Turkish Delight that the White Witch (evil) gave him when he first stepped into Narnia. Edmund did not care when he hands over his brother and sisters to a woman whom he knows deep down is a dangerous witch. In my opinion, it is always important that we remember our moral values as once we stat doing something and like it, it is difficult to stop. Therefore, we must try our best not to fall into temptation.
The 2 main characters in this story, Aslan and the White Witch, have very contrasting personalities. The Witch is merciless, cruel and power-hungry and myopic The Witch claims the throne of Narnia by brute force. She enchants the land so it is always winter and never Christmas and so that the poor Narnians have no hope. The Witch sways many Narnians to her side out of fear or lust for power, so that the Narnians are divided and are completely terrified. However, Aslan is completely different. Aslan's amazing love for the Narnia people is demonstrated when Aslan sacrifices his own life to save Edmund. Aslan is quiet, patient and has foresight Although the Witch can use magic to gain power, she does not have the vision or the character of Aslan. Aslan is confident that his power is greater than the Witch's strength, but Aslan never shows bravery and is willing to die to save Narnia.
I think that the climax of the story is when Aslan becomes alive again after being killed by the witch. It gives the Narnians new found hope and after that they go on and win the war.
I think the author intended the book to be read by children. It is an allegory of Jesus Christ’s life and he wanted to show a new perspective from this story.
From this story, I learned about the danger of gluttony. In this story, Edmund gets attracted by the Turkish Delight that the White Witch (evil) gave him when he first stepped into Narnia. Edmund did not care when he hands over his brother and sisters to a woman whom he knows deep down is a dangerous witch. In my opinion, it is always important that we remember our moral values as once we stat doing something and like it, it is difficult to stop. Therefore, we must try our best not to fall into temptation.
The 2 main characters in this story, Aslan and the White Witch, have very contrasting personalities. The Witch is merciless, cruel and power-hungry and myopic The Witch claims the throne of Narnia by brute force. She enchants the land so it is always winter and never Christmas and so that the poor Narnians have no hope. The Witch sways many Narnians to her side out of fear or lust for power, so that the Narnians are divided and are completely terrified. However, Aslan is completely different. Aslan's amazing love for the Narnia people is demonstrated when Aslan sacrifices his own life to save Edmund. Aslan is quiet, patient and has foresight Although the Witch can use magic to gain power, she does not have the vision or the character of Aslan. Aslan is confident that his power is greater than the Witch's strength, but Aslan never shows bravery and is willing to die to save Narnia.
I think that the climax of the story is when Aslan becomes alive again after being killed by the witch. It gives the Narnians new found hope and after that they go on and win the war.
I think the author intended the book to be read by children. It is an allegory of Jesus Christ’s life and he wanted to show a new perspective from this story.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)