Book Read: Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
In this story, Oliver, the protagonist acts in a way I would probably never do in his circumstances. When he first saw the two boys steal the handkerchief from Mr. Brownlow, he was horrified. Even though if he continued doing that, he would be able to have food and water for his survival in the hands of Fagin, he placed moral virtue above all that and ran away. I would probably have in this scenario just gone along with the flow. This is even more astonishing as Oliver was a boy who had lived in poverty all his life. Another example is when he was on a robbery mission, he decided to try and risk his life and alert the family he was robbing.
The author wrote this story in 1839 and therefore the conditions then are very different from that of the present. In those days, the poor could just live on the streets and the poverty cycle for that group of people would continue for generations to come. However, today, the government of countries and cities better off like London, where this story is based, the poor are given adequate food and lodging, while the young are able to go to school and get an education.
The climax of this story to me is the part when Nancy gets killed by Sikes. I feel that this is the climax as out of all the crimes that occurred in this book, this is probably the worst of them all. Also, after this incident, all starts to go wrong for the “bad guys”.
I feel that the title of this book is good as it gives readers a good picture of what the whole story is about. It is of course about the life of Oliver Twist from birth to the time he is adopted by Mr. Brownlow.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Should you be rewarded for your efforts in school?
The answer for me is a definite “Yes”. All people alike love receiving rewards. Why should students be exempted?
Let us look at why people love receiving rewards. It makes them feel that their work is appreciated and that their efforts have paid off. It will also motivate them to work even harder.
From my knowledge, the Singapore government gives out quite a few awards each year to those who did well academically, in sports and aesthetically. However, this does not cater to everyone.
Some students may be trying very hard but cannot make the mark both academically and aesthetically. However, they are not rewarded and may just give up. To remind these students that they are just as important as anyone else, they also should be rewarded.
I feel that achievements need not be big to be rewarded. In my old primary school, they had this thing called the “five-mark challenge” where pupils improve by five marks each time for each subject. If they achieve this in two or more subjects, they are rewarded. This strategy has worked and has really helped to pull up the grades of some students especially those in the weaker classes in the school.
Therefore, I feel that it is a “win-win” situation if students are rewarded for their efforts in school.
Let us look at why people love receiving rewards. It makes them feel that their work is appreciated and that their efforts have paid off. It will also motivate them to work even harder.
From my knowledge, the Singapore government gives out quite a few awards each year to those who did well academically, in sports and aesthetically. However, this does not cater to everyone.
Some students may be trying very hard but cannot make the mark both academically and aesthetically. However, they are not rewarded and may just give up. To remind these students that they are just as important as anyone else, they also should be rewarded.
I feel that achievements need not be big to be rewarded. In my old primary school, they had this thing called the “five-mark challenge” where pupils improve by five marks each time for each subject. If they achieve this in two or more subjects, they are rewarded. This strategy has worked and has really helped to pull up the grades of some students especially those in the weaker classes in the school.
Therefore, I feel that it is a “win-win” situation if students are rewarded for their efforts in school.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
What is Beauty?
To me, there are two kinds of beauty. The first kind is outer beauty and the second kind is inner beauty.
What most people see as beauty is outer beauty. Outer beauty is the nice hair you have, the beautiful face and the wonderful body shape a person has. I agree that this is a form of beauty but I feel that the other kind of beauty is more important.
The other kind of beauty is a person’s character. For example, a person’s kindness towards something else is a form of beauty in itself.
In my opinion, many people only care about their outer beauty. This can be seen in the way some people go about their life. Many people dream to become celebrities and stars so that they can be seen by others as beautiful. I feel that this is very vain but from what I see this will carry on happening for a very long time.
A person who only sees a person’s outer beauty is a very silly person. It is for that reason that many people who marry celebrities often divorce soon after. It is because many of them only see the celebrities’ outer beauty and his/her character.
In conclusion, I feel that people should really think about what they define as beauty.
What most people see as beauty is outer beauty. Outer beauty is the nice hair you have, the beautiful face and the wonderful body shape a person has. I agree that this is a form of beauty but I feel that the other kind of beauty is more important.
The other kind of beauty is a person’s character. For example, a person’s kindness towards something else is a form of beauty in itself.
In my opinion, many people only care about their outer beauty. This can be seen in the way some people go about their life. Many people dream to become celebrities and stars so that they can be seen by others as beautiful. I feel that this is very vain but from what I see this will carry on happening for a very long time.
A person who only sees a person’s outer beauty is a very silly person. It is for that reason that many people who marry celebrities often divorce soon after. It is because many of them only see the celebrities’ outer beauty and his/her character.
In conclusion, I feel that people should really think about what they define as beauty.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Should you criticise people or the opinions they have?
This is a difficult question because as human beings none of us like to be criticized. However, without criticism, a person will never be able to improve from their current state.
Let me give you an example. Let’s say a student hands in a composition and the teacher just puts a tick at the end of the composition indicating that he/she has read it. The student will just continue writing compositions of the same standard and will never improve.
First, let us look at why people do not want to be criticized. The reason is that they will “lose face” or in other words be humiliated. Everyone on Earth has his/her own pride.
Therefore, I feel that people should critcise others but do it in a polite manner. A person who says “I feel that your play can be improved by designing better costumes” comes across much better than a person who says “The costumes were very lousy!”
A person will probably be more willing to accept the first person’s criticism as it sounds more like advice than the second one which is pure criticism even though both mean the same thing.
My final stand is criticise all you like but do it properly.
Let me give you an example. Let’s say a student hands in a composition and the teacher just puts a tick at the end of the composition indicating that he/she has read it. The student will just continue writing compositions of the same standard and will never improve.
First, let us look at why people do not want to be criticized. The reason is that they will “lose face” or in other words be humiliated. Everyone on Earth has his/her own pride.
Therefore, I feel that people should critcise others but do it in a polite manner. A person who says “I feel that your play can be improved by designing better costumes” comes across much better than a person who says “The costumes were very lousy!”
A person will probably be more willing to accept the first person’s criticism as it sounds more like advice than the second one which is pure criticism even though both mean the same thing.
My final stand is criticise all you like but do it properly.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Will having fun make you happier than studying?
On first thought, I think I would be happier if I could have fun and not study at all. However, on the whole, I do not think I will be happy forever.
For example, after PSLE (Primary School Leaving Examination), I was given the freedom to do whatever I wanted for the next 2 months. I rushed into doing all the things I had missed out on for the past 3 months while studying for the exam like playing computer games, playing Nintendo Wii, going outside to play soccer (by myself). You might think that playing soccer yourself is not fun but it actually is.
However, during the last 1 or 2 weeks, I kind of felt a bit bored with the fact that I was tired of doing those things. Then, I started studying again and it was quite interesting all the sec 1 topics. A month later, I was tired of studying again.
Therefore, I feel that there is a need to strike a balance between work and play. If you work too much, having fun will make you happy. If you have have been playing all day, you will be happy to work.
Another example is let’s say there is this person “x”. X always comes home complaining about the work he does at his workplace. One day, he loses his job and goes for many job interviews. Finally, he lands a job and comments, “I am glad I am working again." It is the same story here.
For example, after PSLE (Primary School Leaving Examination), I was given the freedom to do whatever I wanted for the next 2 months. I rushed into doing all the things I had missed out on for the past 3 months while studying for the exam like playing computer games, playing Nintendo Wii, going outside to play soccer (by myself). You might think that playing soccer yourself is not fun but it actually is.
However, during the last 1 or 2 weeks, I kind of felt a bit bored with the fact that I was tired of doing those things. Then, I started studying again and it was quite interesting all the sec 1 topics. A month later, I was tired of studying again.
Therefore, I feel that there is a need to strike a balance between work and play. If you work too much, having fun will make you happy. If you have have been playing all day, you will be happy to work.
Another example is let’s say there is this person “x”. X always comes home complaining about the work he does at his workplace. One day, he loses his job and goes for many job interviews. Finally, he lands a job and comments, “I am glad I am working again." It is the same story here.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Is it your Duty to Donate to Charity?
I think it is not anyone’s duty to donate to charity. Although some people give themselves the burden that they have to donate a part of their salary to charities, my personal opinion is that people should not be forced to give to charity. Donating to charity should be from the heart.
Why must donating to charity come from the heart? Would it make a difference if a person gives the same amount of money to charity whether he is happy or not? The money is the same but the people who are the ones receiving the money will not feel good when they hear such things. To many charitable organizations especially those such as old folks home, the old folks may be very downhearted. A simple smile at them can do a lot more good to them than the things the money donated can be used for.
To me, there are many other ways of donating to charity other than donating money. Helping out at the charities is one of those ways. This can help a lot. From what I know, many charities are not lacking in funds but lacking in volunteers.
Why do people want to donate to charity? To some selfish people, all they want is to show to others how generous they are but to others, they understand for example what is like to be in need and therefore donate.
In conclusion, I feel that it is not necessary to give to charity but it goes a long way when you do.
Why must donating to charity come from the heart? Would it make a difference if a person gives the same amount of money to charity whether he is happy or not? The money is the same but the people who are the ones receiving the money will not feel good when they hear such things. To many charitable organizations especially those such as old folks home, the old folks may be very downhearted. A simple smile at them can do a lot more good to them than the things the money donated can be used for.
To me, there are many other ways of donating to charity other than donating money. Helping out at the charities is one of those ways. This can help a lot. From what I know, many charities are not lacking in funds but lacking in volunteers.
Why do people want to donate to charity? To some selfish people, all they want is to show to others how generous they are but to others, they understand for example what is like to be in need and therefore donate.
In conclusion, I feel that it is not necessary to give to charity but it goes a long way when you do.
Monday, May 25, 2009
My First Semester being a Secondary 1 Student
Firstly, I am able to type again.
Back to serious stuff.............
My first semester being a secondary one student has been alright, not as smooth journey I expected but basically alright. There have been ups and downs in this semester (the....). Anyway I will tell you about it in a timeline.
Here's the code:
Red--Mixed
Yellow---Plus Points
Blue---Minus Points
Purple---Interesting
18 December 2008--Got into a school of my choice
29-30 December----School Orientation. It was boring as we kept doing cheers and more cheers.
I was beginning to wonder if I had made the wrong choice.
2 January 2009----Consortium Day. Heard so much synonyms such as ACE, MSG, iVLE and had no idea what they were about. I was no sure I was able to cope.
2-30 January --CCA Orientations/Trials. The first time in my life that I had to stay in school until 6.30pm (which is very long compared to primary school). Came home exhausted on those days
Somewhere in January--Learned that we could use the computer labs in school during recess and after school. They were so much better than the one at home.
6 February--Got into a good CCA
13-15 March --Secondary One Annual (I emphasise the word annual) Camp. The conditions were terrible.
16 March-- Had my first MSG (Mean Subject Grade) of the year. I had no idea that they were actually keeping track of our tests and assignments. I am so blurrrr...
26 May--I am writing this post.
These are the plus and minus points in this semester. Although the teachers have been relatively nice in personality and are caring, they are absolutely mean when it comes to dishing out homework. Another thing is that I am happy that I am in a class that likes to play soccer. Some other classes only like chit-chatting. That is another major plus point in this semester. (By the way, I like playing soccer that's why my URL is kickingking)
What are my plans for the next semester? I am one of those people who like to take things as they come along and no make plans. Therefore, at this moment in time, I do not have an specific plans for next semester but I can list my vague plans.
Plans for next Semester:
Back to serious stuff.............
My first semester being a secondary one student has been alright, not as smooth journey I expected but basically alright. There have been ups and downs in this semester (the....). Anyway I will tell you about it in a timeline.
Here's the code:
Red--Mixed
Yellow---Plus Points
Blue---Minus Points
Purple---Interesting
18 December 2008--Got into a school of my choice
29-30 December----School Orientation. It was boring as we kept doing cheers and more cheers.
I was beginning to wonder if I had made the wrong choice.
2 January 2009----Consortium Day. Heard so much synonyms such as ACE, MSG, iVLE and had no idea what they were about. I was no sure I was able to cope.
2-30 January --CCA Orientations/Trials. The first time in my life that I had to stay in school until 6.30pm (which is very long compared to primary school). Came home exhausted on those days
Somewhere in January--Learned that we could use the computer labs in school during recess and after school. They were so much better than the one at home.
6 February--Got into a good CCA
13-15 March --Secondary One Annual (I emphasise the word annual) Camp. The conditions were terrible.
16 March-- Had my first MSG (Mean Subject Grade) of the year. I had no idea that they were actually keeping track of our tests and assignments. I am so blurrrr...
26 May--I am writing this post.
These are the plus and minus points in this semester. Although the teachers have been relatively nice in personality and are caring, they are absolutely mean when it comes to dishing out homework. Another thing is that I am happy that I am in a class that likes to play soccer. Some other classes only like chit-chatting. That is another major plus point in this semester. (By the way, I like playing soccer that's why my URL is kickingking)
What are my plans for the next semester? I am one of those people who like to take things as they come along and no make plans. Therefore, at this moment in time, I do not have an specific plans for next semester but I can list my vague plans.
Plans for next Semester:
- Work harder
- Get More ACE projects done
- Spend my time more wisely
That should be all for this semester.
One more thing, Happy Holidays!
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