Tuesday, 30 October 2007
2G foreverY
In less than 4 hours, I'll be together with my 2G family again! Well, probably the last time...
3 days and 2 nights is all I have with you people. Sure I will remember the times you people fight and quarrel amongst one another, did your presentations, create a hell lot of noise and chaos, stop teachers from teaching, passing nonsensical notes down the row during assembly period, always wonderindering why we were ranked the first from the back, etc. etc. .
Though we're usually one of the last few classes in the level academically, we're always the best among any of the 7 other classes. No other classes' spirit of togetherness can ever beat ours.
To you, my 1G'06 cum 2G'07 family...
3 days and 2 nights is all I have with you people. Sure I will remember the times you people fight and quarrel amongst one another, did your presentations, create a hell lot of noise and chaos, stop teachers from teaching, passing nonsensical notes down the row during assembly period, always wonderindering why we were ranked the first from the back, etc. etc. .
Though we're usually one of the last few classes in the level academically, we're always the best among any of the 7 other classes. No other classes' spirit of togetherness can ever beat ours.
To you, my 1G'06 cum 2G'07 family...
-it looks like a christmas present... lol
. . . . .
Monday, 29 October 2007
From Teachers to MeY
Mr Ngoi gave me this small little pocket book. Inside, there's a small little note that goes like this...
昭敏同学惠存:
2007年10月23日~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Miss Toh left a rather long comment in my Report Book.
Comments:
Chiaw Min is able to say the right things at the right time and makes everyone feel valued. She displays the ability to carry out tasks with minimal supervision, and has the maturity to cope with difficult situations. She also does things to the best of her ability when entrusted with a task and discharges her duties unfailingly. Chiaw Min is effectively bi-lingual and can capture the attention of her listeners during oral presentations. She is certainly capable of assuming greater leadership roles.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Seems like Miss Toh is, like many others around me, waiting to see my big day. When is it or how big it'll be or what it's about, there's no answer to them; but like Yee Jia jiejie, Crystal mentor, Miss Toh, Yuyi, SiYuan, korkors and many many others, they're waiting.
At least I'll acquire life skills along the way while you people await. I'm able to speak in either proper English or proper Mandarin with confidence now and also to address a big crowd, so there you go, Chiaw Min's picked up another skill and she did well for not only her PW Oral Presentation but also the Character Education's Hear-My-Say Presentation, scoring 75, the only A1 in class! (Maybe that's what made me the "Most Persuasive Salesperson" for TK's Scholl Bazaar)
So, hey people, be patient. Though I don't really how I'm going about to start accomplishing my aspirations and dreams, I'll keep them alive and find a way, somehow. I'm still learning and growing. Since you people see that something in me, I'll make sure that something becomes a bigger and better something for you to see all you like. Thanks for all you moral support, really.
昭敏同学惠存:
眼睛因书籍而明亮,
心灵因书籍而清澄,
让书香熏染你的生命,
丰富你的精神。
心灵因书籍而清澄,
让书香熏染你的生命,
丰富你的精神。
魏家德师赠
2007年10月23日
Miss Toh left a rather long comment in my Report Book.
Comments:
Chiaw Min is able to say the right things at the right time and makes everyone feel valued. She displays the ability to carry out tasks with minimal supervision, and has the maturity to cope with difficult situations. She also does things to the best of her ability when entrusted with a task and discharges her duties unfailingly. Chiaw Min is effectively bi-lingual and can capture the attention of her listeners during oral presentations. She is certainly capable of assuming greater leadership roles.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Seems like Miss Toh is, like many others around me, waiting to see my big day. When is it or how big it'll be or what it's about, there's no answer to them; but like Yee Jia jiejie, Crystal mentor, Miss Toh, Yuyi, SiYuan, korkors and many many others, they're waiting.
At least I'll acquire life skills along the way while you people await. I'm able to speak in either proper English or proper Mandarin with confidence now and also to address a big crowd, so there you go, Chiaw Min's picked up another skill and she did well for not only her PW Oral Presentation but also the Character Education's Hear-My-Say Presentation, scoring 75, the only A1 in class! (Maybe that's what made me the "Most Persuasive Salesperson" for TK's Scholl Bazaar)
So, hey people, be patient. Though I don't really how I'm going about to start accomplishing my aspirations and dreams, I'll keep them alive and find a way, somehow. I'm still learning and growing. Since you people see that something in me, I'll make sure that something becomes a bigger and better something for you to see all you like. Thanks for all you moral support, really.
. . . . .
Saturday, 27 October 2007
the weekY
Post-examination activities were great!
Monday
We had House Meeting the first thing in the morning. I'm in Einstein House, the Red House! All the guides teacher-in-charge are in Einstein too!!!~ Mrs Tey, Mrs Ang, Mrs Yap, Mdm Norazlin. Looks like we've a lot to work on since the House System have just started. This means that the Student Council can pass the responsibility of this whole House System thing to the respective House Manager, Captains and Leaders!
That's the kind of fun and intelligent Albert spirit I hope to see in Einstein House!
Mathematics Preparation Course for Secondary 3
P's Talk
Mr Lee was just making things clear that TK's a SEA (School Excellence Award) school and his expectations from us, students.
There's something very funny he shared with us. He said that TK is more special than any other schools which received the most prestigious special award in the education industry. "If you look at the list of schools which have this award, they are mostly independent schools and heavily funded schools. Right here in TK, we're like NTUC; we provide quality education at an economical price. Students in independent schools pay $250 per month just on school fees, while you guys only pay $23! You are all receiving equally high standards of education and many other schools are looking to us as a role model, learning from us, especially our Project Work."
Tuesday
Mathematics Preparation Course for Secondary 3
Secondary 2 Streaming Briefing by VP
After listening through everything, I was rather disappointed, knowing that TK doesn't provide a combination with Double Pure Science + Art + A-Maths though there will be 5 out of 8 classes providing Pure Sciences. I know that History and Literature are surely eliminated from my choices. I had a hard time thinking, really hard.
Issue of Option Form
Results were taken down. I did ok. I am ranked 129 out of 317; Overall percentage: 62.2%. I could easily get into a Double Pure Science class, but I want Art. For a moment, I felt like cursing and swearing the school I always feel proud to be in.
Science Mass Lecture on Sexual Reproduction of Human
The school skipped this chapter for curriculum, and they felt that it's important for us to know ourselves better, well, as well as the opposite gender. For once, the guys were super attentive in the auditorium. Dumb questions were answered. Sick questions did not bother the teachers much.
Actually, the main climax should be on the ABORTION. Mrs Ang prepared a video clip she found. It was titled: The Silent Scream. It was a documentary film while a life abortion was taking place. It was scary, seeing the foetus struggling in the womb through the TV screen which showed the picture of the movement using ultra soundwave (or whatever it was). They abortionist actually squashed the foetus head after sucking out the limbs and body using the suction tip. Only 1 simple word can describe this all, it's total CRUELTY.
Wednesday
Project Work Day.
Before recess, the Secondary 2s showcased their Project Work to the Secondary 1s. My group, together with 3 other groups were chosen to present in the Auditorium instead of jus showcasing our work while the Secondary 1s go around viewing during hteir gallery walk.
Somehow, Mr Tan made the China Exchange group present before half of the Secondary 1s go for their gallery walk, so my group only had to present once, which was good. The other 3 groups' projects were on Water Resources, Animation and Drama-in-Action. Rifat's drama group was really entertaining! They came up with a comedy and Rifat acted as Super Duke's girlfriend, wearing a skirt! Till now, I can't stop laughing just by recalling the lame jokes.
After recess was Secondary 3 Project Work Conference. This time, the Secondary 3s who continued taking up Project Work for the second year showcased their works. Beofore the 2 sharing sessions took place, the Student Council invited a key note speaker to address the school (in particular, the Secondary 2s). He's an inventor who is also an alumni.
After attending the 2 sessions, I think I'll be taking Project Work again next year.
After school, Clarissa, Eileen, Sharmane, Astrid, Weilin and Jasmine came to my house and we were busy preparing for Thursday's School Bazaar.
Thusday
School Bazaar.
I headed to school early in the morning to set up my stall (or rather 2G's Pick-Pick stall). We cooked the crabsticks and get everything ready. Though it became rather messy, the girls went around touting and getting customers. We manage to hit our target, collecting over $200, having no leftovers. I'm satisfied; we're all satisfied.
There were so many different stalls. The Secondary 1s were definitely impressive, bringing in a Neoprint machine, offering manicure services, selling accessories, plushies, setting up game stalls, hunted houses (too many and too messy). There was also movie screening and band performance. TK's really impressive!
Submission of Option Form
1st option: Standard subjects + A-maths + Geog elec + Combince Science + Art
2nd option: Standard subjects + A-maths + Geog elec + Double Science + DnT
3rd option: Standard subjects + A-maths + Geog elec + Double Science
Many think I'm dumb to give up Pure Science for Art. I know.
Friday
Classroom cleaning.
IT survey in the computer lab. Mdm Farida came in and distributed Merci chocolate croccants to us. I almost broke down. She's retiring and she won't be teaching anymore. She actually came to me presonally and told me, "Chiaw Min, thank you for being so attentive and obedient in class. You were my best student." I told her this," Mdm Farida, thank you for being such a passioante teacher." I then took down her address; I'll sent her my greetings every year.
2G's last day together was rather memorable. We will miss each other. Wait, we have 1 more occasion, the CLASS CHALET!!!
. . . . .
Monday, 22 October 2007
ThoughtsY
Life's meaningful, live it to the fullest and make it meaningful to yourself and others as well. It's the little things that make this world such an incredible and wonderful place, not the big, glamourous, grand stuff that people woohaa about.
After reading this, listen to Corrinne May's songs. What's special is that though they're soothing, they're not too slow and draggy. They're worth listening, they make you reflect sometimes. They're relaxing.
After reading this, listen to Corrinne May's songs. What's special is that though they're soothing, they're not too slow and draggy. They're worth listening, they make you reflect sometimes. They're relaxing.
. . . . .
Sunday, 21 October 2007
Helping othersY
I always believe that my existance is to bring joy, happiness and help to others. I've been helping people and I'm really proud of myself. At least when people need help, I'm the first person they have in mind.
For the past 2 weeks, I've attended to 3 injured people without being a certified first-aider. I believe I'd done a much better job than many other first-aiders out there! First, it was that Secondary 1 boy whose leg somehow got numb and he fell to the ground right on the spot, causing him to sustain a slight cut on his knee; then it was Si Yuan who unfortunately got slapped by a ball right in her face as she was walking along the basketball court, causing small slight cuts and small red patches by the bridge of her nose (she's bespectacled); of course Jasmine, fell during a netball game on our last PE lesson, sustaining slight cuts on her left knee... well, I'm not sure what happened as I forgot to bring my PE attire to school, so I was engross in the LEE KUAN YEW book I was reading, all I heard was,"Chiaw Min! Come!" and the next moment I was seen examining her wound then dashing to the General Office to get the first-aid kit with Michelle.
This morning, I was busy preparing a tea-break for 50 in the kitchen. Dad needed it, so I offered to help since I love cooking and I was free. I made egg sandwiches, one of my all time best seller. Dad and Mum went to buy banana cakes, chiffon cakes and chocolate cakes for a greater variety.
When Dad and Mum got home, they told me that my sandwiches were "fast-selling" and if it wasn't my Mum who kept some, I'd be able to have a bite of the triangular food. They also told me that people even asked them what type of specail bread was used. I guess it's either the consumers were trying to please my parents or my hands are really great when it comes to preparing good food.
I once prepared pizzas for a pot-luck night and got pretty praises like "They're even better than PizzaHut's!" and "They're the best pizzas I've ever eaten!" and the kiasu ones "Woah, so nice, so much filling, I must take some home for my son. Anyway still got a lot, I can take home half of a pizza right?" That made me laugh.
Helping others creates a sense of satisfaction and a sense of being needed. It makes my life more meaningful. Others need my help just like when I need help from others, I know that someone will be there for me, and I'm willing to be that someone.
Are you?
For the past 2 weeks, I've attended to 3 injured people without being a certified first-aider. I believe I'd done a much better job than many other first-aiders out there! First, it was that Secondary 1 boy whose leg somehow got numb and he fell to the ground right on the spot, causing him to sustain a slight cut on his knee; then it was Si Yuan who unfortunately got slapped by a ball right in her face as she was walking along the basketball court, causing small slight cuts and small red patches by the bridge of her nose (she's bespectacled); of course Jasmine, fell during a netball game on our last PE lesson, sustaining slight cuts on her left knee... well, I'm not sure what happened as I forgot to bring my PE attire to school, so I was engross in the LEE KUAN YEW book I was reading, all I heard was,"Chiaw Min! Come!" and the next moment I was seen examining her wound then dashing to the General Office to get the first-aid kit with Michelle.
This morning, I was busy preparing a tea-break for 50 in the kitchen. Dad needed it, so I offered to help since I love cooking and I was free. I made egg sandwiches, one of my all time best seller. Dad and Mum went to buy banana cakes, chiffon cakes and chocolate cakes for a greater variety.
When Dad and Mum got home, they told me that my sandwiches were "fast-selling" and if it wasn't my Mum who kept some, I'd be able to have a bite of the triangular food. They also told me that people even asked them what type of specail bread was used. I guess it's either the consumers were trying to please my parents or my hands are really great when it comes to preparing good food.
I once prepared pizzas for a pot-luck night and got pretty praises like "They're even better than PizzaHut's!" and "They're the best pizzas I've ever eaten!" and the kiasu ones "Woah, so nice, so much filling, I must take some home for my son. Anyway still got a lot, I can take home half of a pizza right?" That made me laugh.
Helping others creates a sense of satisfaction and a sense of being needed. It makes my life more meaningful. Others need my help just like when I need help from others, I know that someone will be there for me, and I'm willing to be that someone.
Are you?
. . . . .
Saturday, 20 October 2007
The Golden CompassY
My sister introduced this book, The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman to me. She said that a movie created from this story will be coming up. I ought to get his book and read it before the movie screens in December!
Check out the trailer:
In the story, every human being has an animal spirit also known as a daemon living outside the body and accompanies them. The daemon is of the opposite gender of the partner, but it shows the character and nature of its owner.
Check out my daemon:
I'm still looking for the book. I suppose this book will be interesting, probably something rather mysterious and magical like that of Harry Potter (though I'm not a fan of Harry Potter). Anyway, do catch the movie, I think it'll be as wonderful and exciting as Harry Potter.
For more information about the movie, check out the official website : http://www.goldencompassmovie.com/
Hey, now I know the reason behind filming this movie.
Philip Pullman's books came third in the BBC's Big Read in 2003, behind only The Lord of the Rings and Pride & Prejudice, but ahead os Harry Potter. It was the only one of the top three to not have a film adaptation.
Check out the trailer:
In the story, every human being has an animal spirit also known as a daemon living outside the body and accompanies them. The daemon is of the opposite gender of the partner, but it shows the character and nature of its owner.
Check out my daemon:
I'm still looking for the book. I suppose this book will be interesting, probably something rather mysterious and magical like that of Harry Potter (though I'm not a fan of Harry Potter). Anyway, do catch the movie, I think it'll be as wonderful and exciting as Harry Potter.
For more information about the movie, check out the official website : http://www.goldencompassmovie.com/
Hey, now I know the reason behind filming this movie.
Philip Pullman's books came third in the BBC's Big Read in 2003, behind only The Lord of the Rings and Pride & Prejudice, but ahead os Harry Potter. It was the only one of the top three to not have a film adaptation.
. . . . .
Thursday, 18 October 2007
Even more resultsY
Literature => Section A: 10/25, Section B: 12/25, Section C: 15.5/25; Total: 50%
Fine, I'm super disappointed. For all I the notes I had prepared for Literature, I scored really badly.
And, oh gosh, I can't believe I just passed Literature! Thanks to Mrs Teo for awarding (or rather, trying to squeeze out) 2 extra marks! I would have gotten 47.33% which means the only subject I fail for this End-of-Year Examinations.
therefore, I will reconsider taking the "Literature + Geog Elec " combination.
Science => 63%
Should I say goodbye to pure Double-Science? That's not my aim, but the way Mrs Ang and Mrs Lim put it, it's kind of like a wiser choice to choose Combine Science instead of pure science. I'm really all messed up now. I know my 2 brothers will go against the idea of me getting into Combine Science, but Dad and Mum will just let me decide on my own.
therefore chances of getting into a Pure Science class is... low
History => 52.5%
Oh well, for all the hard work I'd put in, this is what I get back. I know my stuff, but just what was the problem? Hey, I love the history of Singapore and it is super closely related to my all time role-model, Mr Lee Kuan Yew. I'm just still disappointed.
I'm just utterly disappointed with my overall performance. But what's done is done and shall be leaved as it is; life goes on and I can only look back and learn from the past.
All I can pray for is that the entire cohort had faired poorly for this examination so that the chances of me getting into a choice class will be high. (I'm probably just day-dreaming)
Maybe I shall just announce 1 thing to cheer myself up. My PW group was chosen to present in the auditorium in front of all the Secondary 1 students. We've probably scored quite high as there're only 4 out of so many groups chosen for this Post-Examinations Activity. I guess I'm suppose to be proud of this, which in other word means that it'll help pull up my English marks.
Fine, I'm super disappointed. For all I the notes I had prepared for Literature, I scored really badly.
And, oh gosh, I can't believe I just passed Literature! Thanks to Mrs Teo for awarding (or rather, trying to squeeze out) 2 extra marks! I would have gotten 47.33% which means the only subject I fail for this End-of-Year Examinations.
therefore, I will reconsider taking the "Literature + Geog Elec " combination.
Science => 63%
Should I say goodbye to pure Double-Science? That's not my aim, but the way Mrs Ang and Mrs Lim put it, it's kind of like a wiser choice to choose Combine Science instead of pure science. I'm really all messed up now. I know my 2 brothers will go against the idea of me getting into Combine Science, but Dad and Mum will just let me decide on my own.
therefore chances of getting into a Pure Science class is... low
History => 52.5%
Oh well, for all the hard work I'd put in, this is what I get back. I know my stuff, but just what was the problem? Hey, I love the history of Singapore and it is super closely related to my all time role-model, Mr Lee Kuan Yew. I'm just still disappointed.
I'm just utterly disappointed with my overall performance. But what's done is done and shall be leaved as it is; life goes on and I can only look back and learn from the past.
All I can pray for is that the entire cohort had faired poorly for this examination so that the chances of me getting into a choice class will be high. (I'm probably just day-dreaming)
Maybe I shall just announce 1 thing to cheer myself up. My PW group was chosen to present in the auditorium in front of all the Secondary 1 students. We've probably scored quite high as there're only 4 out of so many groups chosen for this Post-Examinations Activity. I guess I'm suppose to be proud of this, which in other word means that it'll help pull up my English marks.
. . . . .
Wednesday, 17 October 2007
More ResultsY
Geography => 69.5% (approx. 70%)
therefore chances of getting into Geog Elective is... HIGH!
Well, I've got back my Geography paper since the entire of next week will be filled with Post-Examinations Activities. I'm really satisfied with the outcome, but I know that if I did study more for Chapter: Agriculture, I would have gotten an A1. Anyway, what's over is over; life still goes on from here.
therefore chances of getting into Geog Elective is... HIGH!
Well, I've got back my Geography paper since the entire of next week will be filled with Post-Examinations Activities. I'm really satisfied with the outcome, but I know that if I did study more for Chapter: Agriculture, I would have gotten an A1. Anyway, what's over is over; life still goes on from here.
. . . . .
Tuesday, 16 October 2007
1st resultsY
First day of school after so many tense days...
which means we got back some of our papers.
Well, I've got to be happy about my Art results. I got back part of my Higher Chinese, half of my English paper and my Maths paper too.
Art => CA2: 73% , SA2: 78%
therefore chances of me getting into my all time wanted Art class... HIGH!
*If I get to get back Art pieces from Miss Tan, I'll most probably scan and post it for my sister to see!
Higher Chinese => Listening: 100% (yeah!) , filling in the blanks with given options: 4/10
By Friday I'll get back all the components. Well, I have high hopes for my Compositions =)
English (Comprehension and Summary) => I'll keep it to myself first, when the total score comes out then I'll probably smile
therefore chances of me getting into English Class One is... LOW
Maths => Paper 1: 24-half/50 , Paper 2: 26/50 , SAIL Task: 22/25 (gosh, unbelieveable but highest in class! thanks to Eileen =D)
therefore my overall is pulled up, so my final score should be about 60+... how lucky! However, I'm afraid that I can't cope with A-Maths next year... well, I'll see.
I eager to get back my Geography, History and Literature papers. I'll have to wait till Monday for the paper I have the highest hope on -- Geography Paper! History and Literature papers will be back by Thurday. I can't wait for the good news, hopefully~
which means we got back some of our papers.
Well, I've got to be happy about my Art results. I got back part of my Higher Chinese, half of my English paper and my Maths paper too.
Art => CA2: 73% , SA2: 78%
therefore chances of me getting into my all time wanted Art class... HIGH!
*If I get to get back Art pieces from Miss Tan, I'll most probably scan and post it for my sister to see!
Higher Chinese => Listening: 100% (yeah!) , filling in the blanks with given options: 4/10
By Friday I'll get back all the components. Well, I have high hopes for my Compositions =)
English (Comprehension and Summary) => I'll keep it to myself first, when the total score comes out then I'll probably smile
therefore chances of me getting into English Class One is... LOW
Maths => Paper 1: 24-half/50 , Paper 2: 26/50 , SAIL Task: 22/25 (gosh, unbelieveable but highest in class! thanks to Eileen =D)
therefore my overall is pulled up, so my final score should be about 60+... how lucky! However, I'm afraid that I can't cope with A-Maths next year... well, I'll see.
I eager to get back my Geography, History and Literature papers. I'll have to wait till Monday for the paper I have the highest hope on -- Geography Paper! History and Literature papers will be back by Thurday. I can't wait for the good news, hopefully~
. . . . .
Monday, 15 October 2007
Thomas Ong @ Parkway ParadeY
After checking the price for the items needed for the coming School Bazzar for 2G's stall, Clarissa, WeiLin, Sharmane and I headed back to Parkway Parade to check out the prices at Giant Supermart.
As we were crossing the pedestrain crossing, this guy in his 30s, wearing a white shirt walked passed me and was glancing at me as if he knew me. That was in the middle of the road (you know you've got to cross half-by-half of the road to parkway when u want to jay-walk). The other 3 were like... hmmm, he looks familiar. Since I was sharing an umbrella with Sharmane, I turned to her and said rather loudly," Hey, isn't that guy the MURDERER?!?!" Everyone was like "Yah!Yah!" and laughing away. WeiLin turned back and realised that he was still standing behind us because he was like us, jay-walking, hence stuck in the middle of the road. According to WeiLin, he turned and walk half smiling half trying to look away...lol
Not knowing what his real name was, we kept talking about him with the name used in the drama, Dr Hu XiCun... which was hilarious because we were linking up everything in the drama. I began sprouting nonsense, saying that if you realised, every time when XiCun's up to no good, he'll take off his spectacles, and since he was without his spectacles.... Sharmane continued almost immediately that whether he was heading to murder someone else.
Anyway, ok, his real identity is Thomas Ong. WeiLin thinks he's hot. well, I agree that he's good looking, you know, that intellegent kind of handsome, not the naughty boy kind; as for using the word hot to describe a guy, I don't think I'll ever use that word for it gives me a feeling that someone's desperate, naughty and good looking, overall, not a very nice word to use for a positive description. And if you want to know what he looks like, here it is.
Ok, I've to give credit or MediaCorp will sue me. I got this picture from the official MediaCorp website and thanks to MediaCorp or I won't be able to find any latest picture of him that looks like the him as of today.
Anyway, I wonder how the private life of an artiste is like, as in well, in Singapore, artistes are much more free than those overseas, not having to hide from the paparazzi unlike those overseas. I'm not interested in getting into the entertainment industry anyway.
As we were crossing the pedestrain crossing, this guy in his 30s, wearing a white shirt walked passed me and was glancing at me as if he knew me. That was in the middle of the road (you know you've got to cross half-by-half of the road to parkway when u want to jay-walk). The other 3 were like... hmmm, he looks familiar. Since I was sharing an umbrella with Sharmane, I turned to her and said rather loudly," Hey, isn't that guy the MURDERER?!?!" Everyone was like "Yah!Yah!" and laughing away. WeiLin turned back and realised that he was still standing behind us because he was like us, jay-walking, hence stuck in the middle of the road. According to WeiLin, he turned and walk half smiling half trying to look away...lol
Not knowing what his real name was, we kept talking about him with the name used in the drama, Dr Hu XiCun... which was hilarious because we were linking up everything in the drama. I began sprouting nonsense, saying that if you realised, every time when XiCun's up to no good, he'll take off his spectacles, and since he was without his spectacles.... Sharmane continued almost immediately that whether he was heading to murder someone else.
Anyway, ok, his real identity is Thomas Ong. WeiLin thinks he's hot. well, I agree that he's good looking, you know, that intellegent kind of handsome, not the naughty boy kind; as for using the word hot to describe a guy, I don't think I'll ever use that word for it gives me a feeling that someone's desperate, naughty and good looking, overall, not a very nice word to use for a positive description. And if you want to know what he looks like, here it is.
Ok, I've to give credit or MediaCorp will sue me. I got this picture from the official MediaCorp website and thanks to MediaCorp or I won't be able to find any latest picture of him that looks like the him as of today.Anyway, I wonder how the private life of an artiste is like, as in well, in Singapore, artistes are much more free than those overseas, not having to hide from the paparazzi unlike those overseas. I'm not interested in getting into the entertainment industry anyway.
. . . . .
at Bugis with SiYuan, Sharon and ClarissaY
Sharon, don't complain about me not posting about my outings again. I'll just publish some pictures. ^.^
As we were crossing over to the junk stall which sells all the junk we love as kids.
Well, Clarissa looks like she's guilty or something in this picture and I'm like what? haha... is this considered some kind of irony?
Now do you understand what I mean by junk and nonsense? It's like those lame, useless but what-seem-like-interesting stuff to us which were sold quite expensively at the school book shop. Well, the aunties have to earn money some way right? I believe they're still selling those useless nonsense. Opps!
After such a long walk around Bugis, the sour-ness in our legs were so unbearable that we resorted to getting a drink in some Tea Shake House in Bugis Junction just to allow our precious legs to have a break. And we took this shot.
I'm not sure what's my problem the whole day, I was like givng weird expressions...lol
As we were crossing over to the junk stall which sells all the junk we love as kids.
Well, Clarissa looks like she's guilty or something in this picture and I'm like what? haha... is this considered some kind of irony?
Now do you understand what I mean by junk and nonsense? It's like those lame, useless but what-seem-like-interesting stuff to us which were sold quite expensively at the school book shop. Well, the aunties have to earn money some way right? I believe they're still selling those useless nonsense. Opps!
After such a long walk around Bugis, the sour-ness in our legs were so unbearable that we resorted to getting a drink in some Tea Shake House in Bugis Junction just to allow our precious legs to have a break. And we took this shot.
I'm not sure what's my problem the whole day, I was like givng weird expressions...lol
. . . . .
Sunday, 14 October 2007
Lee Kuan Yew bookY
I've started reading the thinner Lee Kuan Yew book, which is LEE KUAN YEW: THE MAN AND HIS IDEAS.
Well, I've always have a problem with speed reading, and I guess I'll take 1 month to complete that book... gosh, what about the other book???
Anyway, I even took it out with me when I was suppose to go shopping with Sharon, Si Yuan and Clarissa on Friday. They thought that I was a history freak. Frankly speaking, I'm just really curious and interested in Singapore's history. The fact is that, yes, I do like history, but at the same time I must agree that it can be long-winded or what the Chinese would say,又长又臭; and I admit that I'd fallen asleep in class many times.
Lee Kuan Yew reminds me of school, of how much I look to him as an idol, a role model; though it's kind of unbelieveable to many.
I remember once I was given the topic: "My Idol" for my Higher Chinese Composition last year. The first person who came to my mind was him, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, for how much I had admired his leadership, his determination, his ability to succeed. And for that particullar composition, I scored 61%. It was my best composition ever, and I broke the class's top score. If I'm not wrong, I still have it somewhere in the house; I'll post it when I've found it.
The other incident was during the Student Council interview. Sharon, Clarissa and I were in the Conference Room undergoing the interview. One of the questions thrown to us was "Who do you look to as a role model and why?"
Sharon: My mother, because she...
Clarissa: My parents, because they...
Me: Mr Lee Kuan Yew, because I admire his leadership.
If I remember correctly, Mdm Shahera, Mdm Halilah, Mrs Yeo and the former Exco were the interviewers. And apparently, after digesting whatever I'd said, the entire room was filled with the want-to-laugh-but-not-sure-how-to-react kind of laughter.
Mrs Yeo counter-attacked: But some people said that he... ... (can't really remember what, but all I know is that she wanted to see how I responded to something unexpected. it became like a debate question)
Me: But if it wasn't him, Singapore would not have become what it is today; we may be living under communism. (looking back, I feel proud being able to fight back with what little knowledge I had about the hisotry of Singapore, and luckily I had the facts right, or else...)
That reply made Mrs Yeo smile and nod convincingly, having no words to fight back. At that moment, I really feel proud of myself. I'd grown, for I wouldn't know how to react or stand for my views before, but then, I was able to convince Mrs Yeo with the little information stored in my little brain.
Well, I've always have a problem with speed reading, and I guess I'll take 1 month to complete that book... gosh, what about the other book???
Anyway, I even took it out with me when I was suppose to go shopping with Sharon, Si Yuan and Clarissa on Friday. They thought that I was a history freak. Frankly speaking, I'm just really curious and interested in Singapore's history. The fact is that, yes, I do like history, but at the same time I must agree that it can be long-winded or what the Chinese would say,又长又臭; and I admit that I'd fallen asleep in class many times.
Lee Kuan Yew reminds me of school, of how much I look to him as an idol, a role model; though it's kind of unbelieveable to many.
I remember once I was given the topic: "My Idol" for my Higher Chinese Composition last year. The first person who came to my mind was him, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, for how much I had admired his leadership, his determination, his ability to succeed. And for that particullar composition, I scored 61%. It was my best composition ever, and I broke the class's top score. If I'm not wrong, I still have it somewhere in the house; I'll post it when I've found it.
The other incident was during the Student Council interview. Sharon, Clarissa and I were in the Conference Room undergoing the interview. One of the questions thrown to us was "Who do you look to as a role model and why?"
Sharon: My mother, because she...
Clarissa: My parents, because they...
Me: Mr Lee Kuan Yew, because I admire his leadership.
If I remember correctly, Mdm Shahera, Mdm Halilah, Mrs Yeo and the former Exco were the interviewers. And apparently, after digesting whatever I'd said, the entire room was filled with the want-to-laugh-but-not-sure-how-to-react kind of laughter.
Mrs Yeo counter-attacked: But some people said that he... ... (can't really remember what, but all I know is that she wanted to see how I responded to something unexpected. it became like a debate question)
Me: But if it wasn't him, Singapore would not have become what it is today; we may be living under communism. (looking back, I feel proud being able to fight back with what little knowledge I had about the hisotry of Singapore, and luckily I had the facts right, or else...)
That reply made Mrs Yeo smile and nod convincingly, having no words to fight back. At that moment, I really feel proud of myself. I'd grown, for I wouldn't know how to react or stand for my views before, but then, I was able to convince Mrs Yeo with the little information stored in my little brain.
. . . . .
Friday, 12 October 2007
1st after exam accomplishmentY
Clarissa and Yuyi came over to my house to bake blueberry muffins yesterday. Well, I was more than happy to welcome people to my house. At least they won't waste their time rotting in front of the computer or the TV and do something more meaningful like any group activities which can help in bonding of friendship.
Well, we went to Yoshinoya yesterday and Clarissa ordered the new drink, some rubbies-don't-know-what. And guess what, it was just simply Chin-Chow (grass jelly) with F&N Groovy Grape, and it cost $2.50!!! Clarissa suspected that most probably someone got bored and somehow mixed and match and created this crazy drink.
We tried making that same drink. With $2.50, we could make at least 6-8 servings with extra jelly left!
Before going into the oven...
baking in process...
peeking...almost done, just a little while more...
ok, they don't look like muffins, but they are pretty in a way =)
This is the $2.50 drink!
Well, we went to Yoshinoya yesterday and Clarissa ordered the new drink, some rubbies-don't-know-what. And guess what, it was just simply Chin-Chow (grass jelly) with F&N Groovy Grape, and it cost $2.50!!! Clarissa suspected that most probably someone got bored and somehow mixed and match and created this crazy drink.
We tried making that same drink. With $2.50, we could make at least 6-8 servings with extra jelly left!
Before going into the oven...
baking in process...
peeking...almost done, just a little while more...
ok, they don't look like muffins, but they are pretty in a way =)
This is the $2.50 drink!
. . . . .
Wednesday, 10 October 2007
After the examsY
Finally, after so many notes posted and so much effort put in for the end-of-year examinations, I believe not me alone but many others had heaved a gigantic sigh of relieve. Like many others, I went out to take a break from all the books and notes I'd been revising and studying.
I really couldn't agree to go to Kbox with some 2G girls and Vivian, and I'm really sorry for that. I know what my priorities are and I know I couldn't afford so much for that period of entertainment. You people may think that I'm always the one wetting the blanket, but I know my limitations and had no other choice but to turn down the invitation. I do hope you people understand where I'm standing from.
So I went to Suntec City with Clarissa, Wei Lin and Yuyi. Clarissa and Wei Lin wanted to get FBT shorts. And after Wei Lin headed home, the 3 of us window-shopped in Suntec then walked to Bugis. It was after walking so much that I realised that, Pang Chiaw Min was no longer who she was; Pang Chiaw Min had evolved into another person. I can't say if she's now changed into a better person, but all I can tell is that she is now different.
I've seriously changed! I thought chilling out and window-shopping was my new-found hobby, like most other girls, that should be the most enjoyable thing to do, to be able to walk the malls, check out the latest hits, watch the latest movies, etcetera etcetera that's got to do with retail therapy. But hey, I don't fancy those accessories I used to woohaa! about, trying all means to save up cash to grab stuff on the shelves. I wouldn't get tired walking all day long just to look at clothes and shoes and bags and earrings and hairbands and whatever-god-knows-best, but hey, today, I was exhausted and I had to give my legs a break.
I was rather enjoying myself at first, then I started getting hyped because I was more streetwise and was leading the way throughout our entire journey. And gradually, I just got tired. That was the kind of life I used to enjoy therefore I spent my day that way, but I'm tired of it now, I was rather lost. I wanted to head right home, take a shower and sit down and start reading a book which I want to read that is listed in my list of plans after exmas/holidays.
My mind felt the difference, my soul felt the difference, my heart felt the difference, and so do my friends. Maybe it's a good thing after all; I've never felt that retail therapy helps in anyway and I've always think that being materialistic is just simply dumb.
People, I'm lost now! I guess I won't want to find back my old self, instead, I just want to lead my life on freely, and hopefully I'll be able to find the real me.
I really couldn't agree to go to Kbox with some 2G girls and Vivian, and I'm really sorry for that. I know what my priorities are and I know I couldn't afford so much for that period of entertainment. You people may think that I'm always the one wetting the blanket, but I know my limitations and had no other choice but to turn down the invitation. I do hope you people understand where I'm standing from.
So I went to Suntec City with Clarissa, Wei Lin and Yuyi. Clarissa and Wei Lin wanted to get FBT shorts. And after Wei Lin headed home, the 3 of us window-shopped in Suntec then walked to Bugis. It was after walking so much that I realised that, Pang Chiaw Min was no longer who she was; Pang Chiaw Min had evolved into another person. I can't say if she's now changed into a better person, but all I can tell is that she is now different.
I've seriously changed! I thought chilling out and window-shopping was my new-found hobby, like most other girls, that should be the most enjoyable thing to do, to be able to walk the malls, check out the latest hits, watch the latest movies, etcetera etcetera that's got to do with retail therapy. But hey, I don't fancy those accessories I used to woohaa! about, trying all means to save up cash to grab stuff on the shelves. I wouldn't get tired walking all day long just to look at clothes and shoes and bags and earrings and hairbands and whatever-god-knows-best, but hey, today, I was exhausted and I had to give my legs a break.
I was rather enjoying myself at first, then I started getting hyped because I was more streetwise and was leading the way throughout our entire journey. And gradually, I just got tired. That was the kind of life I used to enjoy therefore I spent my day that way, but I'm tired of it now, I was rather lost. I wanted to head right home, take a shower and sit down and start reading a book which I want to read that is listed in my list of plans after exmas/holidays.
My mind felt the difference, my soul felt the difference, my heart felt the difference, and so do my friends. Maybe it's a good thing after all; I've never felt that retail therapy helps in anyway and I've always think that being materialistic is just simply dumb.
People, I'm lost now! I guess I won't want to find back my old self, instead, I just want to lead my life on freely, and hopefully I'll be able to find the real me.
. . . . .
Monday, 8 October 2007
Literature NotesY
Durian
Characters:
-Ah Kum
-Uncle
-Aunt
-Chuan Chuan
-Auntie Siew Thong
*2 incidents apart from the Durian incident:
#1
-Uncle sent Ah Kum upstairs to get something
-She lingered, not wanting to go, for it wa dark at the top of the stairs, and Uncle's room was the one in which the old grandfather had died
-She lingered, for the terror was mounting and she hoped, by lingering, she would not have to do the errand
-Aunt looked at her sharply and prompted her sternly," Go! Does your uncle have to tell you a hundred times?"
-Chuan Chuan knew the cause of her distress
-He purposely yelled at her with a spiteful glee," Upstairs there's a ghost waiting for you! My grandfather's ghost is waiting for you!"
-Aunt shrieked," Are you going to obey your uncle or not?"
-Ah Kum walked up the long flight of stairs slowly, while Chuan Chuan watched with mirthful malice and Aunt with a severity that dared defiance.
-She went into the darkened room, grabbed the spectacles or keys from the table and dashed downstairs
-And in a haste, she fell and hit her head against the wooden staircase pillar
-Aunt scolded her for being clumsy
-Chuan Chuan laughed hilariously
-Ah Kum stood there, gently touching the growing swelling on her forehead, not daring to cry
-Auntie Siew Thong from next door came in, seeing Ah Kum in this state, clucked her tongue and took Ah Kum to have some oil rubbed on the swelling
My words:
Aunt and Uncle did not care if Ah Kum was willing to do the errand or not as they expected her to obey their every word. Their son, Chuan Chuan, liked and enjoyed seeing Ah Kum in embarrassment. He was a sadist. He purposely teased her and scolded her.
Ah Kum was a vulnerable girl and dared not disobey her uncle, aunt and Chuan Chuan. She unwillingly walked to the room she feared, slowly. She then took whatever she was supposed to take and dashed down.
When She fell and injured herself, nobody at home showed care and concern about the swelling on her head. Instead, Aunt scolded her and Chuan Chuan laughed sadistically. Her 'saviour' was the neighbour, Auntie Siew Thong, who took her to have some oil rubbed on the swelling. She expressed her sym pathism toward Ah Kum by helping her when she was in need and on the spot then, she clucked her tongue, showing disapproval of the treatment Ah Kum was receiving.
#2
-She was taking the sheels off a plate of prawns in the kitchen
-It was a cold, wet day and she was feeling very tired and sleepy
-She must had dropped asleep, for when she opened her eyes, she saw the cat jumping off the table, and the plate bereft of half it contents
-Chuan Chuan saw everything and brought his mother to the kitchen
-Aunt's thin face quivered in fury, her pinched face took on an expression of concentrated loathing as her hand shot out to pick up the plate and bring it down resoundingly upon Ah Kum's head
-Ah Kum's head hurt, and she began to cry
-Aunt pinched her arm, shouting," What? What? You dare to cry?"
-Ah Kum hoped Auntie Siew Thong would come in and comfort her, but the neighbour had gone visiting in a nearby town
My words:
Aunt made Ah Kum do chores and errands even when she was tired. She did not bother if Ah Kum needed a rest.
As Ah Kum was peeling off the shells off a plate of prawns, she accidentally fell asleep as she was very tired and sleepy. She realised that a cat had taken about half of the prawns on the plate while she was asleep, when she opened her eyes.
Chuna Chuan who witnessed the incident immediately brought his mother to the kitchen. (Probably waiting to watch Ah Kum being scolded.) Aunt furiously picked the plate up and hit it upon Ah Kum's head, creating a resounding sound.
Ah Kum cried as the pain on her head was unbearable. To Aunt, that was defiance; she did not feel Ah Kum's pain. Instead, she pinched her arm and shouted at Ah Kum so that she would be afraid and dare not be defiant.
At that moment, Ah Kum washoping for the only person who showed care, love and concern to her, her 'heroine' or 'saviour', Auntie Siew Thong, to 'rescue' her from the situation and comfort her. But sadly and unfortunately, Auntie Siew Thong was not at home.
From these 2 incidents, we can tell that Uncle, Aunt and Chuan Chuan treated Ah kum as a servant, not caring much about her.
These 2 incidents also let the readers know the extend of the cruelty Ah Kum had been receiving.
DURIAN INCIDENT
1. Describe Ah Kum's reaction from the time she first saw the durians to the time she was discovered by her uncle.
-She had looked longingly at the fruits (durians). The smell of the fruits which filled the whole house, invaded her nostrils and made her salivate with desire. She longed for the scrumptious fruit so muxh that she could not help but to glue her eyes to the objects.
-Chuan Chuan realised it, so he planted himself in front of the fruits on the floor, arm stretched out, to block them from her view, all the time facing her with a challenging glare. And when Ah Kum continued to looked on, he ran up and pushed her out of the kitchen.
-When the family went out in the late morning, she stole back in the kitchen to have a look at the durians. She could see the rich creamy softness of the durian flesh through a large slit in one of them.
-An overpowering desire to taste the flesh drew her swiftly to the fruit. She squatted down, pushed her small fingers inside the slit and scooped out a portion of the tasty stuff. A mixture of joy and terror causing her small body to quiver, she brought her fingers into her mouth, and visibly thrilled at the deliciousness of the durian flesh.
-Every bit on the fingers was licked cleam; her tongue moved rapidly over the backs, the sides, and when her fingers were thus cleaned completely, her tongue moved slowly over her lips and beyong the lips to the chin, to rescue any smear of the precious stuff there. When it was all finished, she looked around her -- nobody was in sight -- her fingers shot into the slit again and brought out more soft golden flesh which she devoured just as greedily. And when she finished that, with an effort of will, she made ready to go, after turning the durian round so that the slit that her fingers had invaded would not be seen.
-She was full of ner vous expectation and when the family came back, she kept her eyes on the ground and did not dare looked at them.
-When, shortly after, she heard a loud cry from Chuan Chuan, followed by Aunt's shrill," Ah Kum, come here at once!" She knew all was lost for her.
-She went very slowly, into the kitchen, her face lowered as she stood before the family in judgement; her eyes fixed themselves on the floor, while the muscles on her body were tensed for an onslaught of blows.
My words:
Ah Kum had longed for the fruits, so much so that she could not keep her eyes off the 2 durians. Temptations aroused in her. She stealthilywent into the kitchen to look at the fruits she knew she she would not have a share of. And because of the arousing temptation, she pushed her fingers through the slit she saw. From the slit, she saw the precious flesh she longed for badly.
She quivered in oy and terror; joy, for she had finallyget a taste of the delicious fruit she longed for and been eyeing on; terror, for she was afraid of being discovered as she knew the family would not give a share to her yet she stole part of it and also terror for guilty conscience.
However, she was thrilled by the deliciousness of the fruit. This showed that she was enjoying every moment tasting the durian. Every bit of the fruit was percious to her. She licked her fingers clean and then moved her tongue slowly over her lips and beyond the lips to the chin, treasuring every single bit. She sticked her fingers into the fruit greedily again and scooped out the flesh after ensuring that nobody was looking. Trying to hide from the family, she turned the fruit around so that it would not seem obvious that someone had tried to steal some flesh.
She was guilty all the time, having nervous expectations. For her guilty conscience, she dared not look at the fruits nor the family when they were back home.
When the family discovered the missing portions of the durian and called for her, sher knew she was in serious trouble. Remorsefully, she walked slowly with her head lowered, eyes fixed to the ground, ready to face her judgement.
2. What were the effects of Uncle's punishment on Ah Kum?
Uncle's slap made her cry as she knew she was guilty for eating the durian.
3.
Aunt and Chuan Chuan felt the punishment Uncle gave was too slight. And so, the next day, Aunt called Ah Kum to the kitchen. Ah Kum, having just come in from the hot sun, was panting and sweating.
Aunt had prepared 6 whole durians for Ah Kum. Aunt said in menacing deliberation," They're for you, Ah Kum. Every single one of them. Begin eating now." Chuan Chuan stood nearby, grinning savagely.
The sharpness in Aunt's voice and the wicked gleam in Chuan Chuan's eyes could tell that the 2 of them were up to no good again. Ah Kum was forced to squat in front of the opened durians and when she still hesitated, the tears coming into her eyes, Aunt screamed," Eat! Eat!"
She ate slowly and uncertainly. She made her tongue worked on the flesh so as to forget her fear. And for a while, she was actualyy experiencing sensations of pleasure.
Aunt and Chuan Chuan were vexed that pleasure should be part of the punishment, shouted at her impatiently for her to eat quickly.
After her 12th seed, Ah Kum could not take it anymore. Her face turned pale and she was feeling nausea. Aunt smiled and yelled at her to eat some more. She even went up to the girl, pointed at the rest of the durians and cried," Four more! You are to eat every one of them, do you hear? Every seed in every one of them!" And Aunt and Chuan Chuan watched with the lust of vengeance. But Ah Kum was struggling, as she tried to put the seeds into her mouth yet her throat and stomach were rejecting them.
Even whenshe threw up, the mother and son were screaming for her to eat, enjoying the climax of the torture.
She was then ill for 4 days; and never did she want to look at durians again.
Family's FALL in fortune:
-Uncle fallen into debt
-Uncle's coffeeshop seized by creaditors
-Uncle having poor health, lame in one leg and almost blind
-Aunt washed clothes in several houses
-Aunt attended Uncle
-They lived in a rented room in a dilapidated house
-Their income from washing of clothes was inadequate for food, rent and Uncle's medical expenses
-Chuan Chuan worked in Brunei and never came back or send back money. It was heard that he had a good salary.
Ah Kum's RISE in fortune:
-She left for another town to become a maidservant
-Her good mistress allowed her to take up sewing
-She then left and became a seamstress
-She married a hardworking husband who drove children to school in the morning and sold noodles near a busy cinema at night
Ah Kum met Auntie Siew Thong. Auntie Siew Thong felt that Uncle and Aunt were very pitiful, and since Ah Kum had prospered, she could help them. Though the couple did not treat her well in the past, they had already received their punishment. Auntie Siew Thong requested a cash gift of $50 to the old couple. Ah Kum was reluctant, she even said with energy," Never!" She could never forget the day when she was forced to eat all the durians.
Auntie Siew Thong continued to persuade Ah Kum to give the cash giftto her aunt and uncle. Also, she tell that Ah Kum was blessed with fortune.
Ah Kum seized the opportunity to take revenge since she was richer than Aunt and uncle. Instead of giving them directly the $50 cash gift, she bought 15 large-sized durians for them. In those days, the cost of those was actually moe than $50.
Ah Kum told Auntie Siew Thongto let Aunt and Uncle know that she was going to pay them a visit."'You are very good, and so God will bless you and your husband with greater prosperity," cried Auntie Siew Thong, now all smiles, as she prepared to leave and deliver the good news.'
The rented room the old couple was living ing was a small, dark, dingy room containing the bed of invalid, screened off by a curtain, a kerosene stove and an assortment of old tables and chairs. It gave off a smell of decay and death; everywhere were piles of old newspapers, rags, torn curtains and stained, dented utensils. Due to her busy working schedule, Aunt apologised to Ah Kum for not having time to keep the house in a presentable state.
Aunt had lost all her pride; she begged and borrowed. She was envious of Ah Kum's wealth. Her small eyes took in the jade-and-diamond ear-rings, the gold necklace, the sleek handbag as she spoke to Ah Kum. Aunt was eager for the cash gift as she was eyeing for Ah Kum to open the clasp of her handbag.
*The words 'magnanimity' and 'generous/generosity' used to describe Ah Kum are meant to be used in an ironic sense. We know that Ah Kum is not generous and when she suggests giving Aunt and Uncle a 'gift', Auntie Siew Thong thinks that it is a cash gift of $50 whereas we know Ah Kum does not intend to give cash to them at all. The gift turns out to be 15 large-sized durians.
*The last line of the story is ' "Eat!" cried Ah Kum with exquisite triumph," Eat! Eat!" ' The word "eat" was uttered by Aunt earlier on in the story when she forced Ah Kum to eat the 6 durians she had brought for her as punishment. Now, ironically, Ah Kum is using the same words "eat, eat" to get Aunt and Uncle to eat the durians she bought. By using the same words that her aunt did, Ah Kum is carrying out her revenge.
Characters:
-Ah Kum
-Uncle
-Aunt
-Chuan Chuan
-Auntie Siew Thong
*2 incidents apart from the Durian incident:
#1
-Uncle sent Ah Kum upstairs to get something
-She lingered, not wanting to go, for it wa dark at the top of the stairs, and Uncle's room was the one in which the old grandfather had died
-She lingered, for the terror was mounting and she hoped, by lingering, she would not have to do the errand
-Aunt looked at her sharply and prompted her sternly," Go! Does your uncle have to tell you a hundred times?"
-Chuan Chuan knew the cause of her distress
-He purposely yelled at her with a spiteful glee," Upstairs there's a ghost waiting for you! My grandfather's ghost is waiting for you!"
-Aunt shrieked," Are you going to obey your uncle or not?"
-Ah Kum walked up the long flight of stairs slowly, while Chuan Chuan watched with mirthful malice and Aunt with a severity that dared defiance.
-She went into the darkened room, grabbed the spectacles or keys from the table and dashed downstairs
-And in a haste, she fell and hit her head against the wooden staircase pillar
-Aunt scolded her for being clumsy
-Chuan Chuan laughed hilariously
-Ah Kum stood there, gently touching the growing swelling on her forehead, not daring to cry
-Auntie Siew Thong from next door came in, seeing Ah Kum in this state, clucked her tongue and took Ah Kum to have some oil rubbed on the swelling
My words:
Aunt and Uncle did not care if Ah Kum was willing to do the errand or not as they expected her to obey their every word. Their son, Chuan Chuan, liked and enjoyed seeing Ah Kum in embarrassment. He was a sadist. He purposely teased her and scolded her.
Ah Kum was a vulnerable girl and dared not disobey her uncle, aunt and Chuan Chuan. She unwillingly walked to the room she feared, slowly. She then took whatever she was supposed to take and dashed down.
When She fell and injured herself, nobody at home showed care and concern about the swelling on her head. Instead, Aunt scolded her and Chuan Chuan laughed sadistically. Her 'saviour' was the neighbour, Auntie Siew Thong, who took her to have some oil rubbed on the swelling. She expressed her sym pathism toward Ah Kum by helping her when she was in need and on the spot then, she clucked her tongue, showing disapproval of the treatment Ah Kum was receiving.
#2
-She was taking the sheels off a plate of prawns in the kitchen
-It was a cold, wet day and she was feeling very tired and sleepy
-She must had dropped asleep, for when she opened her eyes, she saw the cat jumping off the table, and the plate bereft of half it contents
-Chuan Chuan saw everything and brought his mother to the kitchen
-Aunt's thin face quivered in fury, her pinched face took on an expression of concentrated loathing as her hand shot out to pick up the plate and bring it down resoundingly upon Ah Kum's head
-Ah Kum's head hurt, and she began to cry
-Aunt pinched her arm, shouting," What? What? You dare to cry?"
-Ah Kum hoped Auntie Siew Thong would come in and comfort her, but the neighbour had gone visiting in a nearby town
My words:
Aunt made Ah Kum do chores and errands even when she was tired. She did not bother if Ah Kum needed a rest.
As Ah Kum was peeling off the shells off a plate of prawns, she accidentally fell asleep as she was very tired and sleepy. She realised that a cat had taken about half of the prawns on the plate while she was asleep, when she opened her eyes.
Chuna Chuan who witnessed the incident immediately brought his mother to the kitchen. (Probably waiting to watch Ah Kum being scolded.) Aunt furiously picked the plate up and hit it upon Ah Kum's head, creating a resounding sound.
Ah Kum cried as the pain on her head was unbearable. To Aunt, that was defiance; she did not feel Ah Kum's pain. Instead, she pinched her arm and shouted at Ah Kum so that she would be afraid and dare not be defiant.
At that moment, Ah Kum washoping for the only person who showed care, love and concern to her, her 'heroine' or 'saviour', Auntie Siew Thong, to 'rescue' her from the situation and comfort her. But sadly and unfortunately, Auntie Siew Thong was not at home.
From these 2 incidents, we can tell that Uncle, Aunt and Chuan Chuan treated Ah kum as a servant, not caring much about her.
These 2 incidents also let the readers know the extend of the cruelty Ah Kum had been receiving.
DURIAN INCIDENT
1. Describe Ah Kum's reaction from the time she first saw the durians to the time she was discovered by her uncle.
-She had looked longingly at the fruits (durians). The smell of the fruits which filled the whole house, invaded her nostrils and made her salivate with desire. She longed for the scrumptious fruit so muxh that she could not help but to glue her eyes to the objects.
-Chuan Chuan realised it, so he planted himself in front of the fruits on the floor, arm stretched out, to block them from her view, all the time facing her with a challenging glare. And when Ah Kum continued to looked on, he ran up and pushed her out of the kitchen.
-When the family went out in the late morning, she stole back in the kitchen to have a look at the durians. She could see the rich creamy softness of the durian flesh through a large slit in one of them.
-An overpowering desire to taste the flesh drew her swiftly to the fruit. She squatted down, pushed her small fingers inside the slit and scooped out a portion of the tasty stuff. A mixture of joy and terror causing her small body to quiver, she brought her fingers into her mouth, and visibly thrilled at the deliciousness of the durian flesh.
-Every bit on the fingers was licked cleam; her tongue moved rapidly over the backs, the sides, and when her fingers were thus cleaned completely, her tongue moved slowly over her lips and beyong the lips to the chin, to rescue any smear of the precious stuff there. When it was all finished, she looked around her -- nobody was in sight -- her fingers shot into the slit again and brought out more soft golden flesh which she devoured just as greedily. And when she finished that, with an effort of will, she made ready to go, after turning the durian round so that the slit that her fingers had invaded would not be seen.
-She was full of ner vous expectation and when the family came back, she kept her eyes on the ground and did not dare looked at them.
-When, shortly after, she heard a loud cry from Chuan Chuan, followed by Aunt's shrill," Ah Kum, come here at once!" She knew all was lost for her.
-She went very slowly, into the kitchen, her face lowered as she stood before the family in judgement; her eyes fixed themselves on the floor, while the muscles on her body were tensed for an onslaught of blows.
My words:
Ah Kum had longed for the fruits, so much so that she could not keep her eyes off the 2 durians. Temptations aroused in her. She stealthilywent into the kitchen to look at the fruits she knew she she would not have a share of. And because of the arousing temptation, she pushed her fingers through the slit she saw. From the slit, she saw the precious flesh she longed for badly.
She quivered in oy and terror; joy, for she had finallyget a taste of the delicious fruit she longed for and been eyeing on; terror, for she was afraid of being discovered as she knew the family would not give a share to her yet she stole part of it and also terror for guilty conscience.
However, she was thrilled by the deliciousness of the fruit. This showed that she was enjoying every moment tasting the durian. Every bit of the fruit was percious to her. She licked her fingers clean and then moved her tongue slowly over her lips and beyond the lips to the chin, treasuring every single bit. She sticked her fingers into the fruit greedily again and scooped out the flesh after ensuring that nobody was looking. Trying to hide from the family, she turned the fruit around so that it would not seem obvious that someone had tried to steal some flesh.
She was guilty all the time, having nervous expectations. For her guilty conscience, she dared not look at the fruits nor the family when they were back home.
When the family discovered the missing portions of the durian and called for her, sher knew she was in serious trouble. Remorsefully, she walked slowly with her head lowered, eyes fixed to the ground, ready to face her judgement.
2. What were the effects of Uncle's punishment on Ah Kum?
Uncle's slap made her cry as she knew she was guilty for eating the durian.
3.
Aunt and Chuan Chuan felt the punishment Uncle gave was too slight. And so, the next day, Aunt called Ah Kum to the kitchen. Ah Kum, having just come in from the hot sun, was panting and sweating.
Aunt had prepared 6 whole durians for Ah Kum. Aunt said in menacing deliberation," They're for you, Ah Kum. Every single one of them. Begin eating now." Chuan Chuan stood nearby, grinning savagely.
The sharpness in Aunt's voice and the wicked gleam in Chuan Chuan's eyes could tell that the 2 of them were up to no good again. Ah Kum was forced to squat in front of the opened durians and when she still hesitated, the tears coming into her eyes, Aunt screamed," Eat! Eat!"
She ate slowly and uncertainly. She made her tongue worked on the flesh so as to forget her fear. And for a while, she was actualyy experiencing sensations of pleasure.
Aunt and Chuan Chuan were vexed that pleasure should be part of the punishment, shouted at her impatiently for her to eat quickly.
After her 12th seed, Ah Kum could not take it anymore. Her face turned pale and she was feeling nausea. Aunt smiled and yelled at her to eat some more. She even went up to the girl, pointed at the rest of the durians and cried," Four more! You are to eat every one of them, do you hear? Every seed in every one of them!" And Aunt and Chuan Chuan watched with the lust of vengeance. But Ah Kum was struggling, as she tried to put the seeds into her mouth yet her throat and stomach were rejecting them.
Even whenshe threw up, the mother and son were screaming for her to eat, enjoying the climax of the torture.
She was then ill for 4 days; and never did she want to look at durians again.
Family's FALL in fortune:
-Uncle fallen into debt
-Uncle's coffeeshop seized by creaditors
-Uncle having poor health, lame in one leg and almost blind
-Aunt washed clothes in several houses
-Aunt attended Uncle
-They lived in a rented room in a dilapidated house
-Their income from washing of clothes was inadequate for food, rent and Uncle's medical expenses
-Chuan Chuan worked in Brunei and never came back or send back money. It was heard that he had a good salary.
Ah Kum's RISE in fortune:
-She left for another town to become a maidservant
-Her good mistress allowed her to take up sewing
-She then left and became a seamstress
-She married a hardworking husband who drove children to school in the morning and sold noodles near a busy cinema at night
Ah Kum met Auntie Siew Thong. Auntie Siew Thong felt that Uncle and Aunt were very pitiful, and since Ah Kum had prospered, she could help them. Though the couple did not treat her well in the past, they had already received their punishment. Auntie Siew Thong requested a cash gift of $50 to the old couple. Ah Kum was reluctant, she even said with energy," Never!" She could never forget the day when she was forced to eat all the durians.
Auntie Siew Thong continued to persuade Ah Kum to give the cash giftto her aunt and uncle. Also, she tell that Ah Kum was blessed with fortune.
Ah Kum seized the opportunity to take revenge since she was richer than Aunt and uncle. Instead of giving them directly the $50 cash gift, she bought 15 large-sized durians for them. In those days, the cost of those was actually moe than $50.
Ah Kum told Auntie Siew Thongto let Aunt and Uncle know that she was going to pay them a visit."'You are very good, and so God will bless you and your husband with greater prosperity," cried Auntie Siew Thong, now all smiles, as she prepared to leave and deliver the good news.'
The rented room the old couple was living ing was a small, dark, dingy room containing the bed of invalid, screened off by a curtain, a kerosene stove and an assortment of old tables and chairs. It gave off a smell of decay and death; everywhere were piles of old newspapers, rags, torn curtains and stained, dented utensils. Due to her busy working schedule, Aunt apologised to Ah Kum for not having time to keep the house in a presentable state.
Aunt had lost all her pride; she begged and borrowed. She was envious of Ah Kum's wealth. Her small eyes took in the jade-and-diamond ear-rings, the gold necklace, the sleek handbag as she spoke to Ah Kum. Aunt was eager for the cash gift as she was eyeing for Ah Kum to open the clasp of her handbag.
*The words 'magnanimity' and 'generous/generosity' used to describe Ah Kum are meant to be used in an ironic sense. We know that Ah Kum is not generous and when she suggests giving Aunt and Uncle a 'gift', Auntie Siew Thong thinks that it is a cash gift of $50 whereas we know Ah Kum does not intend to give cash to them at all. The gift turns out to be 15 large-sized durians.
*The last line of the story is ' "Eat!" cried Ah Kum with exquisite triumph," Eat! Eat!" ' The word "eat" was uttered by Aunt earlier on in the story when she forced Ah Kum to eat the 6 durians she had brought for her as punishment. Now, ironically, Ah Kum is using the same words "eat, eat" to get Aunt and Uncle to eat the durians she bought. By using the same words that her aunt did, Ah Kum is carrying out her revenge.
. . . . .
Saturday, 6 October 2007
Literature NotesY
Since so many people are passing around my Literature notes and I think everyone's making an effort to photocopy it and it's circulating around the level, I shall just post it. Guess it'll be much more convenient.
Big Sister
Characters:
-Big Sister(8 years old)
-Tee Tee (11 months old)
-Mother
-David(10 days older than Tee Tee)
-Old grandmother
-Aunt
-David's mother
-Servant
(compare the following according to their numbering)
Grand House
1.rooms are so big, bigger than the rooms in our house put together
2.floor made of smooth shining stone that you'll slip if you're not careful
3.refrigerator three times of our food cupboard
4.David's room was filled with toys. There were so many toys that they were to be found in every part of the house.
Own House
1.small rooms
3.small food cupboard
4.Tee Tee had a yellow rubber ball and a red plastic spoon of which he was very fond of
Tee Tee once pulled off the tail of a plastic giraffe. Mother scolded Big Sister for not taking enough care of Tee Tee. She fortunately fixed the tail back and had forbidden Big Sister to bring Tee Tee near any of David's toys.
Tee Tee played with his yellow rubber ball and res plastic spoon happily, now rolling the ball on the floor and tottering after it, now beating the spoon upon the ball. He also talked to himself while playing.
5.he screamed and cried
6.sickly; less intelligent; received a lot of care
7.always looked shy and unhappy and ready to cry after he had just awakened from his afternoon nap. His grandmother, aunt and servant spent some time trying to elicit a response from David. Unable to withstand the onslaught of so much affection, he began to cry.
5.he could name various parts of his body, the various objects around him, and he readily complied with the many senseless adult commnads to do this and that.
e.g.: drummed his little fists upon his chest if he was commanded to show that he was frightened, rubbed his round protruding belly and made smacking sounds to show that he had enough to eat, thrust out his bottom and said"Phut!"to how that somebody had farted.
6.intellegent; chubbyand cute; well-like by many; fast learner
David's mother took him to the arms and the momentary lull that followed the pause in the screaming, to watch Tee Tee at play. Everyone's attention was now on Tee Tee, as he sat on the floor, bare-bottomed, knocking his red plastic spoon on the ball. He the tried to hold the ball in the hollow of the platic spoon and cried "Ayoh!" in exaggerated dismay as the ball rolled off the spoon, which made the adults laugh at his cuteness.
David's mother asked David if he wanted to play with Tee Tee, and lowered him to the floor, but he screamed and protested, clinging to her. David then stopped crying and appeared absorbed in watching Tee Tee.
Tee Tee continued to scramble for this toy or that and examine each with a frown of concentration on his face.
8.Tee Tee was inventive and creative
As everybody watched Tee Tee play, talking to himself and to the toys and displaying remarkable powers of inventiveness and creativity, they could not help but to realise the fact of the inferiority of one baby to the other in the aspects of both physical and mental development.
*further emphasis
9.with the best food, the most expensive toys, the most attention
10.a puny, sickly,dull child
9.without a fraction of any of David's privileges
10.a chubby, bright-eyed baby with intelligence beyond his 11 months
----------------------------------------------------------------------------Big Sister
Big Sister was only 8 years old but was able to take care of her baby brother. She took pride and pleasure for her own capability as well as her brother's smartness and ingenuity. However, because of her young age, she was too pure and innocent to realise that she could be offending at times when she talked.
Capability:
-che carried her plump and large baby brother on her left hipp to the Grand House
-when Tee Tee looked agitated and was indicating that he was uncomfortable, she knew how to handle the situation. The girl had perfect imitation of adults tending babies.
-her mother trusted her and was able to rely on her to take care of Tee Tee
Smartness; matured-intelligence:
-"Noticing that her mother gave her things to eat only in the absebse of the others, she had learnt to sit still and keep the biscuits or the cakes from view should anybody come into the kitchen, or, of she was eating them, to pretend not to. Shae had learnt the knack of chewing in such a way that movements of the mouth were not perceptible."
Proud of her baby brother:
-"The neighbours pronounced him to be a very intelligent baby, and Big Sister, beaming with pride and pleasure, would notice that her mother, too, looked very pleased."
-"The contrast struck Big Sister who had all the while been observing everything with intense sisterly pride. She now exclaimed loudly, looking up at the adult faces for confirmation of a fact so obvious,'Isn't Tee Tee cute? He can walk and run and talk and play by himself but David can't walk or talk and is always crying.' "
Offending, but rather pure and innocent:
-"'Isn't Tee Tee cute? He can walk and run and talk and play by himself but David can't walk or talk and is always crying. And Tee Tee is ten days younger than David!' exclaimed Big Sister, loudly"
-She even held up her ten fingers to emphasize thedifference, unaware of the effects her comment had produced, prattled on happily.
-After being scolded by her mother for being rude, on her next visit to the Grand House, worried about not being allowed to go to the Grand House again, she thought of a way to placate her mother and the others.
-While observing the servant feed David, she cried out, in affected enthusiasm,"What a cute baby David is! How well he is eating!"
-But the fact of David's total indifference to food was very clear to everyone, however it was not the inaccuracy of the remark that caused the servant and then the grandmother who was nearby, to look up with sharp displeasure and her own mother to look frightened.
-Not understanding the significance of her remark and how it had touched the core of deepest adult fears, the girl repeated that David was nice, healthy, chubby baby, nicer than Tee Tee, and that he was eating his food so nicely.
-She was confused and worried as she did not understand why her mother was in such distressed vexation and protested that she did not say anything bad.
Smartness; matured-intelligence:
-Though sad, worried and did not understand anything, Big Sister understood the displeasure of the occupants of the Grand House: it meant her mother might lose her job, Tee Tee would no longer get nice clothes that David discarded and she would no longer have the nice things to eat.
-She was despondent, but for only a while.
Proud of her baby brother:
-though unable to go to the Grand House again, she knew that her Tee Tee would always be bigger and chubbier and cleverer than their David. She wouldn't speak of this again in the Grand House, but outside, she could tell everybody of how bright and cute her little baby brother was and how stupid and dull their David was.
#I'll be posting notes for Durian either tomorrow or Monday.
Big Sister
Characters:
-Big Sister(8 years old)
-Tee Tee (11 months old)
-Mother
-David(10 days older than Tee Tee)
-Old grandmother
-Aunt
-David's mother
-Servant
(compare the following according to their numbering)
Grand House
1.rooms are so big, bigger than the rooms in our house put together
2.floor made of smooth shining stone that you'll slip if you're not careful
3.refrigerator three times of our food cupboard
4.David's room was filled with toys. There were so many toys that they were to be found in every part of the house.
Own House
1.small rooms
3.small food cupboard
4.Tee Tee had a yellow rubber ball and a red plastic spoon of which he was very fond of
Tee Tee once pulled off the tail of a plastic giraffe. Mother scolded Big Sister for not taking enough care of Tee Tee. She fortunately fixed the tail back and had forbidden Big Sister to bring Tee Tee near any of David's toys.
Tee Tee played with his yellow rubber ball and res plastic spoon happily, now rolling the ball on the floor and tottering after it, now beating the spoon upon the ball. He also talked to himself while playing.
5.he screamed and cried
6.sickly; less intelligent; received a lot of care
7.always looked shy and unhappy and ready to cry after he had just awakened from his afternoon nap. His grandmother, aunt and servant spent some time trying to elicit a response from David. Unable to withstand the onslaught of so much affection, he began to cry.
5.he could name various parts of his body, the various objects around him, and he readily complied with the many senseless adult commnads to do this and that.
e.g.: drummed his little fists upon his chest if he was commanded to show that he was frightened, rubbed his round protruding belly and made smacking sounds to show that he had enough to eat, thrust out his bottom and said"Phut!"to how that somebody had farted.
6.intellegent; chubbyand cute; well-like by many; fast learner
David's mother took him to the arms and the momentary lull that followed the pause in the screaming, to watch Tee Tee at play. Everyone's attention was now on Tee Tee, as he sat on the floor, bare-bottomed, knocking his red plastic spoon on the ball. He the tried to hold the ball in the hollow of the platic spoon and cried "Ayoh!" in exaggerated dismay as the ball rolled off the spoon, which made the adults laugh at his cuteness.
David's mother asked David if he wanted to play with Tee Tee, and lowered him to the floor, but he screamed and protested, clinging to her. David then stopped crying and appeared absorbed in watching Tee Tee.
Tee Tee continued to scramble for this toy or that and examine each with a frown of concentration on his face.
8.Tee Tee was inventive and creative
As everybody watched Tee Tee play, talking to himself and to the toys and displaying remarkable powers of inventiveness and creativity, they could not help but to realise the fact of the inferiority of one baby to the other in the aspects of both physical and mental development.
*further emphasis
9.with the best food, the most expensive toys, the most attention
10.a puny, sickly,dull child
9.without a fraction of any of David's privileges
10.a chubby, bright-eyed baby with intelligence beyond his 11 months
----------------------------------------------------------------------------Big Sister
Big Sister was only 8 years old but was able to take care of her baby brother. She took pride and pleasure for her own capability as well as her brother's smartness and ingenuity. However, because of her young age, she was too pure and innocent to realise that she could be offending at times when she talked.
Capability:
-che carried her plump and large baby brother on her left hipp to the Grand House
-when Tee Tee looked agitated and was indicating that he was uncomfortable, she knew how to handle the situation. The girl had perfect imitation of adults tending babies.
-her mother trusted her and was able to rely on her to take care of Tee Tee
Smartness; matured-intelligence:
-"Noticing that her mother gave her things to eat only in the absebse of the others, she had learnt to sit still and keep the biscuits or the cakes from view should anybody come into the kitchen, or, of she was eating them, to pretend not to. Shae had learnt the knack of chewing in such a way that movements of the mouth were not perceptible."
Proud of her baby brother:
-"The neighbours pronounced him to be a very intelligent baby, and Big Sister, beaming with pride and pleasure, would notice that her mother, too, looked very pleased."
-"The contrast struck Big Sister who had all the while been observing everything with intense sisterly pride. She now exclaimed loudly, looking up at the adult faces for confirmation of a fact so obvious,'Isn't Tee Tee cute? He can walk and run and talk and play by himself but David can't walk or talk and is always crying.' "
Offending, but rather pure and innocent:
-"'Isn't Tee Tee cute? He can walk and run and talk and play by himself but David can't walk or talk and is always crying. And Tee Tee is ten days younger than David!' exclaimed Big Sister, loudly"
-She even held up her ten fingers to emphasize thedifference, unaware of the effects her comment had produced, prattled on happily.
-After being scolded by her mother for being rude, on her next visit to the Grand House, worried about not being allowed to go to the Grand House again, she thought of a way to placate her mother and the others.
-While observing the servant feed David, she cried out, in affected enthusiasm,"What a cute baby David is! How well he is eating!"
-But the fact of David's total indifference to food was very clear to everyone, however it was not the inaccuracy of the remark that caused the servant and then the grandmother who was nearby, to look up with sharp displeasure and her own mother to look frightened.
-Not understanding the significance of her remark and how it had touched the core of deepest adult fears, the girl repeated that David was nice, healthy, chubby baby, nicer than Tee Tee, and that he was eating his food so nicely.
-She was confused and worried as she did not understand why her mother was in such distressed vexation and protested that she did not say anything bad.
Smartness; matured-intelligence:
-Though sad, worried and did not understand anything, Big Sister understood the displeasure of the occupants of the Grand House: it meant her mother might lose her job, Tee Tee would no longer get nice clothes that David discarded and she would no longer have the nice things to eat.
-She was despondent, but for only a while.
Proud of her baby brother:
-though unable to go to the Grand House again, she knew that her Tee Tee would always be bigger and chubbier and cleverer than their David. She wouldn't speak of this again in the Grand House, but outside, she could tell everybody of how bright and cute her little baby brother was and how stupid and dull their David was.
#I'll be posting notes for Durian either tomorrow or Monday.
. . . . .
Wednesday, 3 October 2007
Geography Chapter: Water ResourcesY
Water Resources
Water as a Scarce Resource
-there's a limited supply of fresh water on earth
-but we need it for hoseholds, industries and agriculture
-with the rapid growth of industrialisation, the global rate of water consumption is increasing
Water Constraints
It is a situation whereby there is a shortage of water to meet the needs of people. More than one-third of the world's population live in countries facing water constraint.
Reasons:
1.Limited supply of fresh water
-only about 1% of the earth's water is fresh water that is available for consumption
-fresh water is found in lakes, streams, rivers and underground aquifers
Uneven distribution
-some countries have abundant supply of fresh water while others suffer from a lack of it
-uneven distribution may be due to the differences in climate
e.g. Canada has half a percent of the world's population but has 20% of the world's fresh water supply.
Whereas China with 21% of the world's population has only only 7% of the world's fresh water supply.
Water pollution
-human activities are increasingly polluting fresh water resources
-humans dump untreated sewage from households and factories into water bodies, causing them to be polluted and unfit for human use
2.Rising demand for water
-further contributes to the problem of water constraint
Population growth
-the world's population has tripled in the last 80 years, causing the world's demand for water to increase more than 6 times more than it was before
-more people = same amount of supply have to be shared by more people
-this will exacerbate the water constraint problems in many water-scarce countries
Growth of agriculture
-population growth = need to grow more food through agricultural activities
-agricultural activities consume about 70%of the world's fresh water supply as fresh water is used to water crops and rear livestock
Growth of industries
-growth of industries = consumption of water increases
-because water is needed for manufacturing and operational processes in industries like cleaning and cooling of machines
Changes in lifestyle
-more countries are developed, people become more affluent and can adopt to modern lifestyles of convenience and comfort
-such lifestyles increases the demand of water
e.g. using a dish washer to wash dishes requires more water, enjoying comfort in a jacuzzi bath
Responses to Rising Demand
1. Increasing the price of water
-to discourage the use of water unnecessarily
-may not be the best solution as the rich can still afford and continue to use the amount they desire; whereas the price increase will disproportionately affect the poor
2.Increasing the supply of water
Increase catchment areas
-catchment area refers to an area which rainfall is collected
-increase the supply and collection of water
e.g. Singapore's Central Catchment area and Nature reserves. (examples of catchment areas)
-water in catchement area is treated before being supplied to industries and households
-helps to keep cost of water treatment low as rainwater is cleaner and easier to purify than sea water
-forests are also conserved when land is set aside for catchment areas. people can have more acces to nature and more recreational areas
BUT
-countries facing land constraint like Singapore may have difficulty setting aside land for catchment areas as land is needed for roads, houses and industries
-rain is a natural occurrence; if there's a drought, water levels in catchment areas may decline and reservoirs may even dry up
International agreement
-water can be obtained by other countries through international agreement
-when signing such agreements, countries negotiate the terms on the buying and sharing of water resources
-Singapore has signed 2 water agreements with Malaysia: 1961 agreement (expires in 2011) and the 1962 agreement (expires in 2061)
-may not be the best solution as agreements may expire and there is no guarantee that the other country has sufficient water to meet their own needs
Use of technology
->Recycling water (or water reclamation)<-
->impurities are removed from waste water through a treatment process
->with advancement in technology, used water can be treated to clean and drinkable water or portable water (e.g. NEWater, read it up on page 128 of Geog txtbk)
=>Desalination<=
=>used in many dry regions of the world, or in places where water supply is contaminated,this process is used to convert sea water into drinkable water (e.g. Saudi Arabia)
=>desalination is actually distillation of sea water
=>it is costly and comsume a lot of energy
Use of technology is very costly and requires large amounts of energy. Improvements in membrane technology (NEWater) may help to reduce costs and increase efficiency of water reclamation and desalination in future. Moreover, people may not like the processed waste water as it taste slightly different from traditioanally-obtained water. The Singapore government resolve this problem by piping NEWater into reservoirs before channelling it to homes and industries.
Conserving water
-to use water carefully and ensuring wastage is kept to a minimum
-emphasises on "Prevention is better than cure"
-helps reduce risk of future water shortages
-delays the need to upgrade facilities to increase water supply
-helps household and industries save on water bills (tell mummy this!)
-public campaigns can be launched to educate the public about the merits of water conservation
-it may be diificult to change people's lifestyle, but if everyone cooperates, our precious water resources will be able to last longer
*Read Case Study on Singapore from page 131 to 136 of Geog txtbk, it'll help when you need to state examples, also easier for you to relate as you're living in Singapore!
Water as a Scarce Resource
-there's a limited supply of fresh water on earth
-but we need it for hoseholds, industries and agriculture
-with the rapid growth of industrialisation, the global rate of water consumption is increasing
Water Constraints
It is a situation whereby there is a shortage of water to meet the needs of people. More than one-third of the world's population live in countries facing water constraint.
Reasons:
1.Limited supply of fresh water
-only about 1% of the earth's water is fresh water that is available for consumption
-fresh water is found in lakes, streams, rivers and underground aquifers
Uneven distribution
-some countries have abundant supply of fresh water while others suffer from a lack of it
-uneven distribution may be due to the differences in climate
e.g. Canada has half a percent of the world's population but has 20% of the world's fresh water supply.
Whereas China with 21% of the world's population has only only 7% of the world's fresh water supply.
Water pollution
-human activities are increasingly polluting fresh water resources
-humans dump untreated sewage from households and factories into water bodies, causing them to be polluted and unfit for human use
2.Rising demand for water
-further contributes to the problem of water constraint
Population growth
-the world's population has tripled in the last 80 years, causing the world's demand for water to increase more than 6 times more than it was before
-more people = same amount of supply have to be shared by more people
-this will exacerbate the water constraint problems in many water-scarce countries
Growth of agriculture
-population growth = need to grow more food through agricultural activities
-agricultural activities consume about 70%of the world's fresh water supply as fresh water is used to water crops and rear livestock
Growth of industries
-growth of industries = consumption of water increases
-because water is needed for manufacturing and operational processes in industries like cleaning and cooling of machines
Changes in lifestyle
-more countries are developed, people become more affluent and can adopt to modern lifestyles of convenience and comfort
-such lifestyles increases the demand of water
e.g. using a dish washer to wash dishes requires more water, enjoying comfort in a jacuzzi bath
Responses to Rising Demand
1. Increasing the price of water
-to discourage the use of water unnecessarily
-may not be the best solution as the rich can still afford and continue to use the amount they desire; whereas the price increase will disproportionately affect the poor
2.Increasing the supply of water
Increase catchment areas
-catchment area refers to an area which rainfall is collected
-increase the supply and collection of water
e.g. Singapore's Central Catchment area and Nature reserves. (examples of catchment areas)
-water in catchement area is treated before being supplied to industries and households
-helps to keep cost of water treatment low as rainwater is cleaner and easier to purify than sea water
-forests are also conserved when land is set aside for catchment areas. people can have more acces to nature and more recreational areas
BUT
-countries facing land constraint like Singapore may have difficulty setting aside land for catchment areas as land is needed for roads, houses and industries
-rain is a natural occurrence; if there's a drought, water levels in catchment areas may decline and reservoirs may even dry up
International agreement
-water can be obtained by other countries through international agreement
-when signing such agreements, countries negotiate the terms on the buying and sharing of water resources
-Singapore has signed 2 water agreements with Malaysia: 1961 agreement (expires in 2011) and the 1962 agreement (expires in 2061)
-may not be the best solution as agreements may expire and there is no guarantee that the other country has sufficient water to meet their own needs
Use of technology
->Recycling water (or water reclamation)<-
->impurities are removed from waste water through a treatment process
->with advancement in technology, used water can be treated to clean and drinkable water or portable water (e.g. NEWater, read it up on page 128 of Geog txtbk)
=>Desalination<=
=>used in many dry regions of the world, or in places where water supply is contaminated,this process is used to convert sea water into drinkable water (e.g. Saudi Arabia)
=>desalination is actually distillation of sea water
=>it is costly and comsume a lot of energy
Use of technology is very costly and requires large amounts of energy. Improvements in membrane technology (NEWater) may help to reduce costs and increase efficiency of water reclamation and desalination in future. Moreover, people may not like the processed waste water as it taste slightly different from traditioanally-obtained water. The Singapore government resolve this problem by piping NEWater into reservoirs before channelling it to homes and industries.
Conserving water
-to use water carefully and ensuring wastage is kept to a minimum
-emphasises on "Prevention is better than cure"
-helps reduce risk of future water shortages
-delays the need to upgrade facilities to increase water supply
-helps household and industries save on water bills (tell mummy this!)
-public campaigns can be launched to educate the public about the merits of water conservation
-it may be diificult to change people's lifestyle, but if everyone cooperates, our precious water resources will be able to last longer
*Read Case Study on Singapore from page 131 to 136 of Geog txtbk, it'll help when you need to state examples, also easier for you to relate as you're living in Singapore!
. . . . .
Geography Chapter: Global WarmingY
Global Warming
The Greenhouse Effect
-the trapping of heat from the sun's rays in the atmosphere by greenhouse gases
-e.g. carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxides, chlorofluoro carbons (CFCs)
-helps keep the earth warm (by warming the atmosphere) to sustain life
Global Warming
-increase in amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere due to industrialisation and other human activities
-hence causing enhanced greenhouse effect
-which causes the global temperatures around the world to increase
Causes
mainly because of human activities (hey, humans are dumb!)
-Carbon dioxide : burning of fossil fuels at the power stations
-Nitrous oxides : vehicles exhaust pipes, fertilisers, livestock wastes
-CFCs : aerosol cans, air-conditioners, refrigerators, plastic forms
-Methane : landfills, rice paddies, guts of cattles
Extent of Global Warming
-the Poles experience a higher temperature increase than the Equator
-because the ice are suppose to reflect about 80% to 90% of the sunlight back into space, but the ice is melting due to global warming and the darker-coloured ocean bodies are absorbing more sunlight
-thus global warming is more pronounced in the Polar regions
Consequences
Changes in weather conditions
-prolonged droughts in dry regions
-frequent heat waves
-severe flooding in wet regions
Impact on plants
-change in rainfall and temperature patterns will affect vegetation growth around the world
Impact on animals
-reduction of ice in the 2 Poles affects natural habitats of animals living in the region
-causing some of them to migrate
e.g. polar bears which tried to swim in search of new habitats, but many of them are drowning because warmer waters have widened the distance between ice floes
Impact on people
-rising temperature in the Tropics allow mosquitoes to thrive, causing the spread of diseases like dengue fever, malaria and yellow fever
-heat waves, causing people to die of dehydration and heat stroke
Rising sea levels
-low-lying coastal wetland and islands, coral reefs and part of the world's coastal cities will be subjected to flooding
e.g. Miami and Florida, along the East Coast of the US
-agricultural lowlands and deltas in some countries where most of the rice is grown will be flooded
e.g. Bangladesh, India, China
-low-lying islands in the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean will be submerged under rising sea levels
e.g. Marshall Islands of the Pacific Ocean and Maldives of the Indian Ocean
-natural habitats and ecosystems along coastal areas will be at risk
e.g. French Polynesia
The Greenhouse Effect
-the trapping of heat from the sun's rays in the atmosphere by greenhouse gases
-e.g. carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxides, chlorofluoro carbons (CFCs)
-helps keep the earth warm (by warming the atmosphere) to sustain life
Global Warming
-increase in amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere due to industrialisation and other human activities
-hence causing enhanced greenhouse effect
-which causes the global temperatures around the world to increase
Causes
mainly because of human activities (hey, humans are dumb!)
-Carbon dioxide : burning of fossil fuels at the power stations
-Nitrous oxides : vehicles exhaust pipes, fertilisers, livestock wastes
-CFCs : aerosol cans, air-conditioners, refrigerators, plastic forms
-Methane : landfills, rice paddies, guts of cattles
Extent of Global Warming
-the Poles experience a higher temperature increase than the Equator
-because the ice are suppose to reflect about 80% to 90% of the sunlight back into space, but the ice is melting due to global warming and the darker-coloured ocean bodies are absorbing more sunlight
-thus global warming is more pronounced in the Polar regions
Consequences
Changes in weather conditions
-prolonged droughts in dry regions
-frequent heat waves
-severe flooding in wet regions
Impact on plants
-change in rainfall and temperature patterns will affect vegetation growth around the world
Impact on animals
-reduction of ice in the 2 Poles affects natural habitats of animals living in the region
-causing some of them to migrate
e.g. polar bears which tried to swim in search of new habitats, but many of them are drowning because warmer waters have widened the distance between ice floes
Impact on people
-rising temperature in the Tropics allow mosquitoes to thrive, causing the spread of diseases like dengue fever, malaria and yellow fever
-heat waves, causing people to die of dehydration and heat stroke
Rising sea levels
-low-lying coastal wetland and islands, coral reefs and part of the world's coastal cities will be subjected to flooding
e.g. Miami and Florida, along the East Coast of the US
-agricultural lowlands and deltas in some countries where most of the rice is grown will be flooded
e.g. Bangladesh, India, China
-low-lying islands in the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean will be submerged under rising sea levels
e.g. Marshall Islands of the Pacific Ocean and Maldives of the Indian Ocean
-natural habitats and ecosystems along coastal areas will be at risk
e.g. French Polynesia
. . . . .
know me
littlest of the Pang Family
people call me ChiawMIN or ZhaoMIN
was from Maha Bodhi School
and TanjongKatongSEC
and Temasek Polytechnic
Temasek Design School
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