General Insanity Creeps In

pieces of a jigsaw

2007-12-28T15:24:00.001-08:00

One of my colleagues was telling me a story about himself when he was a teenager. In fact, a lot of our conversations have little snippets of our childhood weaving in and out.
While I listened with bemusement to his little tale, I tried conjuring up mental images in my mind about how he must have looked as a child and how he would have acted or behaved. It just made me laugh even more. It also heightened a sense of wonder that I was allowed to peer into a time in the past and piece together a sense of history that has made the present person laughing with me over a cup of coffee.
I wonder if people feel the same way when they listen to stories about how I was made to eat spoonfuls of butter as a 2 year old by my mother so that I would stop the habit of digging my fingers into the butter or when I was trying to sneak back to school after chickening out from a playing-truant-from-school attempt?
The more I listened to my colleague's stories, the more I felt that a person is so much like a book- revealing chapters and being able to re-read the pages if you missed something. It's such a private world and someone revealing his or her memory to you can sometimes be such an honour that they're sharing it with you, trusting and allowing you to understand them a bit better, even their most vulnerable bits- little hints at what makes them tick or smile or cry their eyes out.
Pieces of me- hope I make sense..

Merry Christmas Everyone...

2007-12-25T03:50:00.000-08:00

I miss the theatre lessons.

2007-10-02T15:57:00.000-07:00

The absolute freedom to interpret a character- That Hamlet isn't as deep thinking as we think he is but a loser before the play even begins..

I loved being on stage because that's when you can pretend that noone can see you and you can be as silly as you like.

The spotlight shining directly into your eyes, making you blind to the inquisitive eyes watching you.

The feeling of adrenaline rushing through you when you deliver the lines- lines previously on paper oozing with reality as you speak them.

The muck ups, the tears of frustration, the confusion, the moments of epiphany, the sympathy and maybe empathy that comes with the preparation and exploration of a character.

That I can stop being me and believe that it's possible to be as beautiful as Helen of Troy, smart as Portia or independent like Olive.

The support from everyone else who is pretending to be someone else...

The Dream

2007-07-25T16:53:00.000-07:00

Wow..It's as if my life has been put on hold for the past few months.

I guess that's what happens when work just takes over whatever life you have left and by the time you've reached home, there's not enough energy to get yourself psyched up to tell the whole world how exciting your day has been.. If you're lucky enough to have an exciting day, that is.

I think one of the highlights today is knowing how much my clients appreciate me. It does slightly embarrass me but at the same time, I like to know that my work doesn't go unnoticed even if my managers don't notice my performance.

During the times when I'm allowed to daydream for a mere 10 seconds, I ask myself how I even came to be here. Statistically speaking, I have defied all odds for a 'Normal' student and I'm not sure how my ex-classmates from school will react when I tell them I'm working in London. When we were 16, London was always deemed to be that magical place that was too faraway to reach except through the newspaper and television. Some of us made a pact to go to England and maybe catch a Take That concert (this was a decade ago!!) and 10 years later, here I am... and surprise surprise, I AM actually going to watch a Take That concert!!

I'm living the dream I wanted when I was 15 and I can only thank God and my family for making this happen...

I'm FREEEEE!!!

2007-05-18T15:20:00.000-07:00

Whew!!

Law and accounting exams are finally out of the way and I am just sooo relieved that it's all over!

Well, all over till November but still, no need to wake up, worried about how much or how little I studied.

Admittedly, it was an ugly paper. It was so mean!

And my tutor was pretty hopeless at question spotting..and I mean so hopeless to the point that all the topics we were told to ignore came up and all the topics she told us to study for didn't!!

There was a lot of irony in our tutor's nickname- Premonition Jo..

Bah Humbug! I say...

But most of us had a little farewell drinks session after the exam because we were kissing our 1000 pound bonuses (we get this if we pass all our exams in the first sitting) goodbye.

'Twas a day of both relief and sadness- relief at being exam-free but sad due to the wasted riches.. haha

I'm just going to pretend that I've passed this exam and worry about the results when they do come out in 2 months time...

2007-03-31T07:05:00.000-07:00

I absolutely cannot stand it when people make such a big protest over something, with a battle cry that the situation is controversial, emotional and sensitive for them. And get this, the situation happened 200 years ago...

Yes, slavery. It was a horrible thing to happen. Many innocents died a horrible death and I truly abhor the concept of slavery. But guess what? Many innocent people died in the World Wars too. In fact, my granduncle was taken and shot on the shores on Changi beach but do I go up to every Japanese and spit in their faces and tell them what a disgrace they are??? No!! Some of them weren't even responsible for it!!! So I cannot accept a demonstration of protest in the MIDDLE of a church memorial service dedicated to all the slaves and the ones who abolished slavery. Where's the respect???? What gives anyone the right to disrupt something so solemn? Apparently, the excuse is that it was an emotional moment for the protestor.. REALLY?? Was he chained or made to work in a sugar plantation in Jamaica??? I can understand if his great great grandfather says it's emotional and sensitive but this protestor? How can it be emotional for you when you've probably spent your whole life in the UK as a free man and worked and earned money as a free man? I don't see YOU getting whipped or tortured! Get over it! You curse at the Queen and Tony Blair for not apologising (for something they weren't even born to witness, let alone be responsible for..) and when this service is held as a way of an apology, you tell them they're shameless and disgusting!

Talk about the ridiculous.. You know what, let the Japanese of today beat up every American for what happened to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, let every Indian and Burmese spit on the British for years of torture under colonialism.. or let every present day Jew sue their German counterparts for emotional trauma during the Holocaust.. oh, and while we're all settling ancient scores, let the Christians and Muslims continue their senseless Holy War against each other to settle the last Holy War we had 700 years ago!! Oh, I forgot, that's already happening...

For Pete's sake, why can't we all let go of history and learn from it instead of learning to hate because of it.. It'll make this world a more peaceful place to live in.

The sad fact about people

2007-03-14T12:33:00.000-07:00

Sometimes people, even people I trust, do things that they or I can't explain. The things they do sometimes hurts me to the core and I don't even know why it affects me so much.

I guess it's because it's not their problem. It's me. I think too much, I analyse too much, I'm too insecure.

AND, I'm too reliant on people. Well, I shouldn't be in future.

There will come a time when I will have to learn to pick myself up and stand on my own and when people I care about don't seem to care so much or understand and even misunderstand, I have to live with it. It's just frustrating that time hasn't seem to come yet and I'm still plagued by all these niggling insecurities.

It's my life. I have to live it and stop worrying about people. Life's too short to keep thinking.

Sometimes, the best remedy is to soak myself up in a book and let the rest of the world disappear..

My Muse is Fading into the sunset

2007-03-06T15:47:00.000-08:00

I've actually reached a point in my life I've never been before.

I'm neutral.

About everything...

My job, my life and it's so odd to not feel anything.

Sometimes I get up in the morning not knowing how to feel. And I feel my brain draining of any words I have left. I can't write like I used to.I read some of my previous posts in my other blog and I can't help but wonder where I got the inspiration to come up with things like that. It's like I suddenly woke up from my Matrix-like reverie and got stuck in this emotionless black and white movie- all full of sound but lacking the vibrance to reflect the words.

Need to find a muse and my inner self. I used to be able to hear myself think clearly and even my thoughts took shape and filled the screen with the language of passion and humour.

Oh help..

Oh no...It's back...

2007-02-07T01:18:00.000-08:00

It was a cold winter's night.

Everywhere was dark and wet.I was lying in my bed, getting toasty and warm.

Then, it happened.

Did I feel that??

Hmmm...maybe not.

I toss on my pillow and proceeded to sleep before I felt it again.

My eyes pop open.

Oh no...There it is again.

The consistent and almost barely-there tapping under my right eye.

Yup, 'he's' back- it's Mr. Eye-Twitch who pays me a visit WITHOUT fail EVERY darn Winter!!!

No matter how many hours I sleep, he's always there- lightly tapping under the skin as though he wants to escape.

It's going to have to be Miss-Nerd for me the whole 3 weeks as I try to hide this gross twitching with my glasses..sigh...

In Heaven

2007-01-24T10:29:00.000-08:00

This, I think, is worth mentioning!

Page 54 of The Times Newspaper dated 24/01/2007:

I've made a name for myself!!! Yes!!!

Lim C A (Ruislip) has passed, yes.. PASSED the ATT examinations.

I am now a tax technician.

A round of applause please!

Armageddon is Arriving Earlier than Expected

2007-01-22T05:01:00.000-08:00

Ah yes, the day of reckoning is approaching. This Wednesday to be exact...The ATT exam results are going to be published in The Times..

If I pass, my name graces 1/100 of the space of a page. If I fail, half the population of Britain would never have the chance to even skim past my name.

This is almost as bad as Uni days where they post a list with names and grades.. well, actually, it's a bit better because at least they acknowledge your F grade. Whereas in this case, they just simply pass you by... blatantly telling you that you're not worth even mentioning if you fail this exam.

That said, it'll be time for decision making.. if I fail, should I resit the exam? Or shall I leave this island and never look back???

Home Sweet Home

2007-01-08T13:22:00.000-08:00

I'm back with a vengeance.. stealing internet waves again but it shan't be for long. As a citizen with integrity, I SHALL find time to get Sky broadband to install the pathway to the world..

Ah well, what can I say but that it's been a tiring weekend!! I spend Saturday and Sunday moving and then when I returned to work today, suddenly everything was important and needed to get done ASAP. As it is, my shoulders are aching and my eyes are stinging from strain due to looking at the comp screen the whole day!! Saying that, I guess the blogging isn't helping my bloodshot eyes...

The flat is lovely.. love the atmosphere of it: cosy, warm and welcoming. Of course, I keep forgetting there're beams everywhere in my room and surrounding the bed so I keep bumping into them. Ouch...

I was enjoying myself...until I opened the fridge and realised that unless I went grocery shopping, I wouldn't last the week. So to Sainsbury's (equivalent to NTUC) I went and lugged home, panting and my feet swelling in my too high (1 inch) heels.. I looked like a tottering woman, swearing and struggling with my bags.

I'm supposed to be studying but I'm just too bushed.

Oh my gosh!!! Is that what life is going to be like from now on????

That's it..it's official: I'm growing old...

I Was Happy..

2006-12-10T14:02:00.000-08:00

Eating in a cafe with the name of a flower
In a little village not far from where I used to live.
Walking past the park named after a Queen
And where I had picnics and drunken walks.
I was happy...

Listening to the soothing voice filling the Cathedral
An angel singing the Eucharistic prayer.
Soaking up the familiar sights
All at once nostalgic but surreal.
I was happy...

Entering the shop glittering with silver and jewellery
Where I once worked over the Easter holidays.
Passing the building that holds more than a thousand books
With students searching for justice within their pages.
I was happy...

Hearing laughs and busy chattering of students
And I remember I was one of them a few years ago.
Linking arms with my friends from my Uni days
And I feel as if I'm back once more.
I was happy...

The Trip to the Gym..

2006-11-22T12:26:00.000-08:00

I can't believe I actually woke up at 5.30 in the morning to meet my personal trainer at the gym at 7.45.

Thank goodness she's a nice friendly American girl who laughs at my lame Michelin jokes and thinks I'm a riot. So yes, we did have fun moments.

One great thing I learnt about my body: I actually DO have muscle in my abs!

Unfortunately, it's just one huge muscle covered in 5 layers of winter warming blubber. And it actually hurts like hell now because of all the abdominal torture I was put through today. It actually hurts to even laugh properly because I actually get tummy stitches!!

And, I realised that although I have arms, they're virtually useless because I can't even lift weights properly and the muscles I never even knew I had are overstretched. By the time I reached the office, I couldn't even write a note without looking like a shivering lunatic...

Then, there are the chunky sausages, otherwise called my legs, which are burning as though they have indeed been fried over a hot pan. I crossed my legs when I was sitting down and it took me almost a lifetime to uncross them again because my inner thighs ached so bad that I almost decided that maybe I should stay crosslegged the whole day while the rest of my department went for lunch.

My body is really one knotted and twisted ball of pain!!

I guess this is the price one must pay if one wants to drop 1-2 dress sizes.

This big *ouch* better be worth ouching for...

If There's One Thing I Could Change...

2006-11-12T12:18:00.000-08:00

I would turn back the clock and make sure I didn’t get stupidly drunk on Tuesday after my exam and belt out songs in the tube station!! Ok, it was entertaining for the rest of the world and I guess if that makes everyone happy, then well, c’est la vie!

The exam was terrible, needless to say. Personal tax was kind of okay BUT I finished all the short questions in less than an hour and I just wondered if there was something I missed out.. too simple to be true..Then when the Business tax paper came, I then understood that the examiners have one twisted sense of humour! Just as you hoped you were going to pass, they dump an outrageously difficult paper on you; which makes you melt into a helpless puddle on the floor.

Of course, the question that ran through my head was: Why am I doing this???
Obviously, pondering over this mystery led to a lack of concentration as my overly generous Irish friend topped up my glass and before you know it, I’m in a Thai restaurant (How I got there, I never knew) proclaiming in my ultra Singaporean way as I dig into my prawn kuay teow, ‘I can’t finish my food but I’ll finish the prawns because they’re the expensive bits on this plate..’!!!

It was a miracle that I even got to work 15 mins early.. So I’ve been doing all these small menial jobs and attending talks about how we should dress, wear make up, make sure our underwear is never visible (you know, the normal stuff we always do..yes, flashing underwear!) and never to talk about our clients openly in the lifts in case we horrify a potential client with our obvious breach of confidentiality.
Again, I asked myself on Friday: Would I change all of this?

I also got to thinking about my life and the relationships I’ve made over the years and wonder if I would change any of it. I had a few rough patches with people whom I thought were close friends of mine. I admit, it hurts and it still does and I find myself wishing that I never offered that hello or handshake or never let myself express my vulnerability.. basically, I wish I had never given so much of myself. Maybe without that tentative first step, I’d have been a much happier person.
Then again, I guess life is a trial and one of the bigger challenges is knowing who to trust and who you can keep as friends. It’s probably a skill that we have to pick up slowly and painfully. Perhaps to look at the brighter side of things, if I didn’t encounter these people who have hurt me, I might not be able to treasure and appreciate the ones who have brought me joy.

The Angels are Singing..

2006-11-06T13:09:00.000-08:00

Wow, I kind of gave up blogging after a while because I thought noone was ever going to read it again!! No wonder there was Heavenly singing when I saw comments from Yuru and Praks.. haha.

What has your bo liao ex GP teacher been up to? Well, the poor soul's been studying and dying. She's been overtaken by numbers and penalty dates and percentages. My course has only managed to solve the age old question: Why Does Chloe Hate Maths?

So here I was, in King's College library.. (Yes, so sad, I spent most of my waking hours in a library and my weekends were spent in the office trying to cram tax in my head until the numbers and rules are dribbling down my ears!!!) and my files were splayed open. I flip through the pages, bored and resigned to this less than happening period in my life. Then, I look around me and take in the solemn and quiet atmosphere of this grand and ancient place, as though phantoms from the past and ghosts of the past living were swirling around me. I wonder who used to live here or if any of the Norman Kings plotted a war against the Welsh or dined with rich gusto within the thick solid walls.

My sights land on the books around me. I sigh and try to concentrate on my file:

Cars are a taxable benefit for the employee, must be time apportioned and National Insurnfhtlslmc...

I groan inwardly and stand up. That inner itch returns and I wander along the shelf, gingerly fingering the spines. Romanticism. English History in English Literature. Revenge Tragedy.

I stop. I see it.

Beowulf: An Epic Poem.

I tried to walk away but my fingers weren't listening to my head screaming for them to stop reaching out. The book slides from the shelf and into my waiting palms. The pages manage to open and there before my eyes, the familiar Anglo-Saxon words greet my eyes and I am at once filled with wonderment and nostalgia. I read a few more lines and I feel oddly surprised that I still remember how to understand this language. Frod, Etherling.. Dom, Brecan... the words jump and I know what I'm reading: Beowulf's fight with the dragon.

I close the book, a little sad and make my way back to my seat. Slump.

I miss being a student. I miss plowing through books and I miss reading. I miss Literature and the feeling I get when I engage with the characters. I miss hearing the voices of the characters and thinking or feeling as they do.

I think I'll be on a reading spree after my exam tomorrow...

Response to First Official Complaint

2006-10-06T04:29:00.001-07:00

Sorry for the lack of updates but I got a whine from Prakash today asking me why I wasn't updating and it was nice to know that my boring life still holds some interest =)

Well, you will be glad to know that retribution has dealt her heavy hand on the figure who had the power to invoke the miseries of homework upon you all. Retribution has cursed your former GP tutor to a life of hard work and studying!!!

I have exams (get this..) EVERY Monday!!! So don't whine to me about promos man!! at least you guys have a variety of subjects! The only variety I get to choose from is Personal, Business, Capital Gains or Inheritance Tax!!

Really man, the tax system here is soooo complicated.. so many rules, exceptions and FORMULAE to remember!!! I pull my hair out every day because numbers and how to apply and use them is so foreign to me now.. yes, this is the inner Arts kid whining. I can't believe I'm actually studying how to calculate car allowances for business!! (Which, by the way, is % rate x level of CO2 emissions) I am soooo sad.

Sigh...it's back to studying for me today...

SOB!!!

2006-10-06T04:29:00.000-07:00

Diseases at Work...

2006-09-05T06:12:00.000-07:00

Boredumus Maximus- Or Extreme Boredom (as known to lay people).. I just started 'work' and I'm supposedly working with my team BUT my team doesn't actually know what to give me. So, all I've been doing is small admin. work. You know, the filing, the printing.. probably the coffee making might come soon.

Bloatus et Caffeinatum- Oh yes, twiddling your thumbs CAN be very boring and WILL induce sleep. So, I've had a record 4 cups in the past 2 hours and every nerve in my body is TWITCHING! My stomach has become grumpy and has decided to throw a tantrum by puffing itself up and causing the rest of my organs to protest...

Mentala Blockus- Oh yes, I FEEL myself getting stupid already.

Bogus Mouthalis- What EVERY employee should be aware of and seek quick immediate treatment! Of course, with the help of some naughty alcohol, one ( like me) can always unconsciously offend a director of the comapny. Yes, I made a mistake by saying I couldn't remember if I had him as one of my assessors in my assessment centre because everyone in a suit looks alike!!!

I'm a VERY ill person...

The Only Man Worth Thinking Of...

2006-08-22T12:49:00.000-07:00

This has got to be one of the most beautiful musicals ever...

Pity I didn't get to see the original. Her Majesty's Theatre was a lot more smaller than I thought it would be but when the musical started, I was enchanted from start to finish..well, except for the part where Christine and Raoul sang 'All I Ask of You' because they sang it a bit too fast. It lost the sweet and romantic emotions I got when I heard Sarah Brightman and Steve Barton's version. The Phantom, played by Earl Carpenter, was brilliant. Rachel Barrell and David Shannon, Christine and Raoul, sizzled on stage with Barrell reaching impressive notes with her singing and Shannon's powerful voice tugging at my heartstrings.I swear, my tears started to form when Christine sang in her nightingale voice, 'Father once spoke of an angel...'

The experience was and will be quite breathtakingly unforgettable. I have finally done one of the things on my Have-To-Do-Before-I-Die list. I have seen AND heard The Phantom!!! Allow me to squeal and gush... *squeal..gush*

All this is due to my aunt, who kindly bought that highly desired ticket for me and for that, I shall never forget. BIG thanks to Ee Ee Rita!!

'Past the point of no return, no backward glances...'

Ah yes.. no backward glances. It really made my day and I shan't look back at the crap day I had yesterday. I was so frustrated and upset with the whole admin system here. Due to a tube delay, I was late for an interview for a National Insurance Number application. I spent 2 hours on the tube and the Job call centre dealing with these applications gave me the wrong directions (thus, causing me to drop at the wrong tube station). So by the time I got there, they refused to slot me back into the line and so my 2 hours travelling time AND the whopping 5 pounds I spent went down the drain. I was told to rebook the appointment and Heaven knows if I can get a slot for next week! How infuriating! They wouldn't accept my explanation and I just wanted to yell at somebody (preferably the Transport minister or the imbecile who gave me the wrong directions...)!

Still, after all this, I was comforted by the only man I could count on (albeit the next day)....and people always look at me strangely when I proclaim how in love I am with the Phantom..

The Difference Between Blue and Red???

2006-08-20T10:42:00.001-07:00

Adjustments.. I guess I'm still a bit confused and am slowly regaining some sort of orientation on the English way of life. Lingo, for instance, takes getting used to. Instead of hearing the typical 'eh' or 'oi', it's now 'luv' or 'sewit-hart'. Tea and scones have replaced roti prata and dino Milo. The differences seem to good to behold sometimes. Thing is, I'm now pseudo English. I'm using words I'd have NEVER used in Singapore for fear I'd be looked upon as being 'ang-moh pai'. Examples?

Bizarre- Wah, dat's damn weird lah!
Brilliant- instead of 'wah, damn cool'.
Cheers or Ta- not 'Tankew' or 'tanks'.
Dodgy- damn off lah! or deesgusteeng.
Please- 'Can help me...?'

Oh well, in Britain, one has to do what the Brits do.. well, as far as language goes.. I still insist on bathing everyday like a typical Singaporean, even in winter.

If you ask me what the best differences are?

UK tax firm:
Boss: Degree?
Me: English Lit.
Boss: Grade?
Me: 2:1

HIRED

Singaporean tax firm:
Boss: Grade?
Me: 2:1
Boss: Degree?
Me: English Lit.
Boss: Er..sorry ah...

FIRED

Singaporean Firm induction:
Show you to your desk, give a schedule, brief outline about how the firm revolves around money and you're on your own.

UK Firm induction: A BBQ Cruise on the River Thames!!

Life is bee-yoo-ti-ful...

VSOP and a really Happy Passenger

2006-08-08T11:47:00.000-07:00

Oh well, I'm in London.. Wow, it felt so weird being in Heathrow. Weird and yet, I felt very much at home. When I was on the plane, I pictured myself like character from a comic book and going to London was like trying to blend into a Monet impressionist painting. When I reached Heathrow, the immigration officer looked at me as though he was taking in my unfamiliar harsh outline. But as he stamped the approval on my landing form, the outline blurred and slowly, I immersed myself with the rest of the London crowd and my awkward cartoonish outline smoothed into the pastel dotted impressionist landscape.

Everything went fine and my journey started well because some of you really sweet students decided to send me off and bestow upon me all your kind wishes and gifts. Thanks!! I really appreciate the gestures, the phonecalls and the kind wishes! I'll really miss all of you! At least I have photos with you to remember you guys!

Well, there was a shaky start- the baggage!!! I always had a problem with baggage!! Of course, my clothes seem to weigh a tonne and I had to take out some stuff from the luggage and disguise it as some more hand luggage.. that's where the problems end (for a while) because when I got on the plane, it was heaven!!! Thai Airways has the best service ever!!! They kept serving drinks and after a steady flow of red wine, white wine, VSOP, vodka and sherry, I was suspiciously waaaaaay too happy for a passenger bound on a 12 hour journey!!!

What made me sober was the cab fare to my friends' place- a whopping £75!!! that's $225!!! I almost died from a massive stroke. And of course (as though things couldn't get any worse), a wheel from one of my luggages had broken off and it was a nightmare struggling with a crippled 23kg bag!!

Lesson learnt: Alcohol can only numb your brain with happiness for a short while before reality steps in to whack you head-on like an oncoming train.

Tomorrow: Flat hunting.. sheesh.. what a chore this is going to be...

Saying Goodbye to All Things Childish...

2006-07-24T18:17:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be moving house soon and I was instructed by my parents to pack up my hurricane-hit room into boxes. Of course, needless to say, it isn't really going as fast as I would like. Plus, it's a rather painful and slow process, trying to cram 22 years of my life into 10 cardboard boxes. I still harbour the childish notion of permanence. I thought and hoped that my home would be my home till I married out and was ready to move away. That my children would play in it under the watchful eye of my parents. That one of us would inherit it. It's hard to believe that this warm place, bursting with memories will one day be no longer standing...

I had to slowly go through my things to decide which things to bring and which to leave behind or chuck out. Of course, my new room won't be big enough to contain all my stuff. I came across all these trinkets I've been collecting since I was 2: my bean-stuffed kitten (too precious to throw!!), my Pound Puppies my mum 'adopted' for me, letters that my friends wrote, old school magazines, photographs, cute pencils and erasers, university lecture notes..
Then, I came across a pile of posters and magazines that I put off throwing because I must have spent hundreds on them! I leafed through them and laughed, amused at how besotted I was over Take That, Mel Gibson... Tom Cruise (this crush died the day he and Katie Holmes hit the front page...), Gary Barlow.

It was tough but I finally made the decision to throw them out, and along with them, my 14 year old schoolgirl crushes and besotted obsession. It was time to let go the sentiments and move on with adult life. The season of youth has to progress..

Imperialism is just Ball Play

2006-07-15T00:35:00.000-07:00

Food for Thought:

The World Cup wasn't just an Entertainment thing..
Thought about it more and, of course, imperialism sprung to mind. I just think it's so fascinating that imperialism is so rampant even today, especially in the sporting arena.

Take the French team: Zidane from Algeria and Vierra from Senegal.. and the rest of the team are from the many other ex-French colonies. I think there are only 2 true blue French players.
And the German one? - Klose is from Poland and he's not the only Pole bought. Poland which was conquered by the German Third Reich in the second World War has lost other Polish football players to the aggressive German team.

Isn't it the same then- that the people from ex-colonies are still being exploited for skill and 'labour'? Granted, people aren't chained and whipped or helping in sugar plantations in this day and age but whoever says imperialism has been eradicated has some more thinking to do..

The School Term Begins...

2006-07-04T03:05:00.000-07:00

ah yes, you poor spore souls are back in school and by now, all of you have probably finished your exams. I wish you guys luck anyway.. just a little disclaimer though- don't cry when you get Cs or Ds!! It's normal!!! Maybe star student of S32 (haha) may be able to get a B??

Well, nothing much has happened lately..except I've been pretty caught up with the World Cup fever.. and really, that event has taught me that fate sometimes has other plans... all I know is that:

ENGLAND SHOULD HAVE BEATEN PORTUGAL!!!!

AGHHHHH!!! Sigh. Stupid Ronaldo. But I guess Rooney, Gerrard, Lampard and Carragher ruined it for England anyway. Kudos to Owen Hargreaves. I knew he had potential!! One thing I must say, watching the World Cup can really make me cry. In fact, I cry more during the World Cup than I did while watching the Titanic (I laughed during that movie, actually). Reason being that I hate watching grown men cry. Beckham's tight-lipped effort to control his tears and John Terry's uncontrolled weeping made my eyes water and I really wished I could comfort them with a hug.

Then the criminal happened.. if England's loss wasn't bad enough, I can't believe BRAZIL lost to... FRANCE?!?!?! So wasted!! If England had pulled through, they would have definitely beaten France and go to the finals! Ok, this is it.. my bet is that Germany will win the Cup ( although I would cross all fingers and toes to prevent that from happening! someone should put a hex on Lehmann or cut off his arms!!) but I'm hoping with every inch of my being that Italy will grab the trophy!!

All right, enough of the sports commentary. I can hear some of you snoring already. See you soon!

Another summer day has come and gone away..But I wanna go Home

2006-06-20T23:33:00.000-07:00

Another summer day
Has come and gone away
In Paris and Rome
But I wanna go home

Coincidence.. I spent my summers in both Paris AND Rome. Now on reflection, I don't know which home I was thinking about: Singapore? Or Bristol? England?

Sometimes, I feel a sense of displacement here. I want to be Singaporean but no matter how much I try, it's like as if a part of me remains in Britain. Despite the unchanged Singaporean accent, the little bit of Kiasu characteristic I've kept, the black hair, the love for Char Kway Teow and the yearning to preserve as much of my Asian culture, I cannot completely erase the new Western ideas brought about by my education. I have adopted some English attitude and independence. I end my sentence of, ' Uncle, please, one green tea, can?' with the English 'Cheers!' or 'Ta!' I cannot fight the British love for cheesy music or prevent myself from embracing their sweet teas and crumbly scones with butter.

And yet, I feel displaced... How does one define home? Where family is? Where one has experience 'life' as we know it? Independence? Memories??

Will England be my home? I can't imagine settling there, alone..amidst a million people I don't know. Whereas here, my family makes this place my comfort zone. Maybe there'll never be a place I can call truly 'home'. I love England and yet, I feel a pull towards and affinity with France: a conservative, lofty and romantic city struggling against and in a modern, cynical and less feeling world. And Singapore? What can I say? It was where I was born, where my family is, where I've found some of my closest friends... I can't get away from my roots or heritage but I can't immerse myself in it fully either.

Another aerorplane
Another sunny place
I'm lucky I know
But I wanna go home ..

If I ever know where 'home' is...

Mortality, thy name is Death...

2006-06-15T10:01:00.000-07:00

Something I've been thinking of these past 2 nights was mortality. I almost lost someone very dear to me and it just hit me like a bolt of lightning how in a mere decade, I might be losing people I love and care about.
I just wanted to rewind my whole life and start over, so that I could take back all the hurtful things I said or did.
And then I thought about places where death was just a normal occurance... where Death just takes his pick and chooses anyone- *snap* just like that...
I couldn't live like that..knowing that any day, my parents or siblings, or friends could be the doomed 'chosen' ones... A character from a movie once asked," Where's hell?" And how apt the reply was:

You're living it...

I can see Age creeping in, leaving trails on my parents' faces and its bruises on their bones and joints. At times, I actually feel afraid because of the uncertainty that goes along with mortality.
Sometimes, we really don't appreciate people enough until it's too late.
I hope I don't commit that same crime...

Au Revoir, Mes Etudiants

2006-05-27T09:17:00.000-07:00

I can't believe 5 months have come and gone and that I won't be teaching you guys anymore!! *sob*

Thanks so much for all the fun and all the good laughs. I really had so much fun and fulfilment teaching you and I know I may not have imparted tonnes of knowledge to you but I can only hope I made a difference, even if it was a teensy weensy one =)

S32- thanks for your lovely card.. i keep wanting to cry just looking at the photos and reading it! You guys are so darn sweet man!!! Your messages really made my day. I'll miss you guys loads!!! And sorry man, the dunking attempt has to be another day..or rather, another lifetime.. haha but i'm sure Elliot will be willing to take my place, when he decides to stop struggling.. =) a pity Prakash wasn't around that day..

S53- thanks for the cake, my dears!! Very thoughtful of you guys!! I love the chocolate man!! Eh, you guys ah, better not be so playful, especially the girls!! You all will do just fine ok?? I'll miss your lame jokes, especially from manic Afzal and blur James.. haha!! I'll miss all your weird scandals!! *winks at Chen Ye, ESPECIALLY!!*

S61- Okay, my quite rowdy class, especially with Jeannie.. muahaha kidding lah...actually you guys are quite quiet lah. You guys seem to be the most worried about your capabilities.. you guys are just FINE!!! The potential is there..it needs the right positive frame of mind and the time to develope. Oh, Su Chen, thanks for the stuff. I really appreciate it. Thank you and I was really touched by it. =)

A13- my spore colony. Well, of course, I'll miss you..well, except Vera.. Haha!! KIDDING!! I had a lot of laughs with you, esp during the sex ed class we had one day..stupid Jeo and her questions.. haha!!! now, i won't have pesky spores like you shouting 'chair chair' across the canteen!!! I must say, I think we've taken the most creative class photos!! Thanks for being so funny and fun! ARTS RAWKS!!!!

The Hills of Essays are Alive and Coming to Swallow Me...

2006-05-11T00:32:00.000-07:00

AHHH!!!

So many essays and comprehensions to mark!!! and the shadows under my eyes are going to earn me the typical name of a panda- Xiaoxiong or Xiang Xiang..

Happy Vesak Day to everyone, regardless whether you're Indian or not..

Sigh. Ok, ranting about how slow and behind I am is going to be dead boring now and I'm actually quite exhausted today, for some reason.. that some reason being I had to finish marking S61's compre scripts and I spent no less than 4 hours on the comp yesterday night, typing out notes and retyping and editing an article for you guys next term. Ok, I won't actually be here to facilitate the activity but maybe I should make a guest appearance next term?? =)

ok, S61- Monday: First 2 periods, you guys will do the short questions, vocab and summary section of the Compre paper, then we will go through Singlish Application Qn in the last period.. on Thursday, you will take 1/2 hr to finish the Application Qn of the Compre paper i gave you on Monday.

S32- congrats, you have actually completed the first half of the compre...so you guys can complete application Qn on tues..

S53- we're going through the Singlish Application Qn and then you will do the compre on Thurs.

A13- congrats, you guys have finished all the GP assignments for the term!!! weehee!!! we'll finish up the essay questions on Wed..

ok, have a good weekend!!

Subjectivity of History

2006-05-04T16:29:00.000-07:00

Oh my gosh, I just watched a documentary about the Da Vinci Code yesterday and I think it was ultra fascinating.
I think what caught me off-guard was how subjective history can get- due to censorship. I mean, how are we to know whether history texts are accurate if most of them are based on human perspective and human story telling? The Bible is one text that, objectively speaking, is highly controversial.
Firstly, one fact I found out is that there were originally 30 gospels and only 4 were picked to be the official ones in the Bible that we read and study today. and there's actually a gospel according to Judas!!! The misunderstood one? The one born to be condemned?
Secondly, regarding the Da Vinci Code documentary, there was a place called 'Migdal' where Mary Magdalene apparently got her name from. A writer insists that this name didn't exist in the 1st Century while historians dispute this. How does anyone know?!?! Did someone actually dig up a sign board from the 1st Century?!?!
Thirdly, all these years, I've always thought Mary Magdalene was a prostitute or the fallen woman.. and that she was the same prostitute that came and wiped Jesus' feet with her tears and hair (Christians should know which one I'm talking about..) but apparently, she WASN'T!! Mary Magdalene was NEVER a prostitute and she wasn't the prostitute that wiped Jesus' feet. We have believed this for so long because Pope Gregory the Great decided to declare this as fact in 500-something AD but the Church retracted this only in 1969!!
Lastly, apparently, there are some documents dating back ages ago, stating that the early French Royal Monarchy consisted of the descendents/offspring of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. Is this text to be taken seriously?? If such a claim was true, wouldn't this spell a disaster for Christianity and all we believe in?

So, here's a thinker: Is History all that accurate? Can we safely say that History is untampered by censorship or tainted with human bias and perspective? Is it all that objective???
History is so important because it definitely shapes the world we have today... If everything in the Bible was proven to be false, this spells the collapse of the Christian world as we know it today. Or what if we found out that Hitler never authorised the Holocaust and really, he didn't know anything about it or that Qin ShiHuang didn't build the Great Wall? All these questions are, of course, speculation on my part and not an attempt to create a controversy or stir outrage. But really, just think... Can we really believe History and the truth it 'proclaims'?

All right, here's my GP spew.. Lap it all up, my sporelings!! =)

A13- please hand in the application questions on Mon!!

S61- You have a Composition to do next Monday.

S32- Application Questions in next Monday as well!

S53- We're going through application questions next week..

Comprehensions and Essays will sooth this sorethroat!!!

2006-05-01T03:46:00.000-07:00

I sound like a frog!!

*croak*

I hate it when there's a constant itchiness in my throat and all I want to do is just rip out my whole larynx and scratch it!!!
I swear, one of you spores must have passed it to me!! *sob*

Okay: Bad news...
S32 and S53- ESSAYS this week!!! Please try not to play sick or anything funny because you will have to do the essays by hook or by crook!! And review from A13: Wah.. So hard ah?? So please, do psyche yourself.. show me your brilliance!! =)

A13- On to application questions.. sigh, seriously hope you guys can concentrate on this section!!

S61- same thing- application.. but the good thing is that I've gone through some of it with you already. and please don't start complaining when I set you the application questions to do!!!

See you guys soon...

too slloooowwwwwww

2006-04-25T20:27:00.000-07:00

agh!!

Panicking, panicking!!

I'm so totally slow man- 2 weeks behind everyone else and I just have to rush on this week because I don't want any of you guys to be behind! Sigh- All of you must work ok?

S61, S32 and S53- Summaries!!! remember to do the rephrasing summary exercise and we will go through them tomorrow. please bring the compre questions cos you'll be doing the summary question in class!!

A13- sorry huns, essay this friday!!

A week of Sloth...

2006-04-23T02:50:00.000-07:00

Hello my younglings..

I'm sooooo sorry about the pathetic lessons this past week and I know my enthusiastic nature was sorely missed =)

Haha. I was really tired because I had lack of sleep ..must be stressing and having nightmares about your comprehension skills. muahaha
oops, as you can see, I've TOTALLY recovered. I actually had 15 hours of sleep on Friday night!!!

Well, well, well, the lesson plans for this week would be to go through the compre questions you guys did for homework..somemore vocab skills and *gasp* the dreaded summary skill!!! Sorry Desmond, it's going to be comprehension, comprehension and more comprehension until all you people comprehend!!!

Ok, Su Chen, go check your e-mail- I have looked through your PI and put in my comments and stuff. Hope they prove useful.

My dear A13- sorry you guys had to bear the brunt of my grumpiness and my mean-ness, especially Vera and Shu Hua. But as I said, the more mean I am, means I like you very much. Haha.

See you guys tomorrow

Kudos to you all!

2006-04-18T07:09:00.000-07:00

My dear Children,

All of you must be commended for being so good and finishing all your homework and listening somewhat attentively this week.

Firstly, welcome back to Sindhu, Gen Rong, Kenny and Yvonne- Well done on the Gold! I'm sure you guys sounded wonderful and that Venice was made more beautiful with your voices and Kenny's screaming!! =)

S61, I know it was rather difficult to go through stale topics but thanks for doing all your homework and stuff. Remember to do questions 2,3 and 4 for homework!! Thanks!

S53, Thanks to 98% of you who handed in their homework! Xiao Yun, Sng Tiak and Gen Rong, you know what you owe me!!! =)

S32, Aiyah, today don't know why you all soooo quiet!! hehe.. maybe I gave you too much work.. haha! eh, please ah, do question 2,3 and 4 for homework ok???

A13- Where's Lynette's essay???? We are doing page 4 and 5 of the Compre package ah!!! make sure it's done!!

Class Clown in PE Attire

2006-04-11T05:43:00.000-07:00

Alritey then, S53- you've been real good kids! haha.. so good of you guys to do all your tasks.. hehe. Eh, don't forget that you have to complete the SAT test thing!! oh, and make sure you do questions 1,5,6 and 7 of the 'Singlish' passage!! Of course, I'm sure I can rely on you rather than..

S32!!! you guys ah, are sooooo playful!! hehe. okok, you managed to wriggle your way out from doing the exercises BUT you will have to do them for homework then!! So, please read page 1 and 2 of the paraphrasing exercise and doing page 3,4 and 5 ah!! I can't believe I spent the whole time ENTERTAINING all of you!! such kids man!! and also, STOP LAUGHING AT ME WHEN I'M WEARING MY PE ATTIRE!!

A13- Daaaahhhhlingsss, you will have to do questions 1,5,6 and 7 of the 'singlish' passage thing.. i passed the message to Jeo so if you guys don't get the message.. you know who to lynch!! Besides, I already told you guys to do it anyway!!!

Yaaawwwwnnn

2006-04-10T07:25:00.000-07:00

Hi Kids,

it's the Monday blues again. It's 7.25 in the morning and I TOTALLY forgot to update this yesterday so hopefully you guys remember what I set you last week, especially S61.. You know, Qns 1,5,6 and 7 on the Compre sheet?

Yes, the rest of you, except S53, hope you would have done that by your next lessons? *threatening glare* S53, you have got to read the poem and highlight figurative language in the 2 articles!!!

I'm a bit worried about this week because Friday is a holiday and lessons will be affected on Thursday for S53 and S61.. You guys are already quite behind by a few weeks already. AGH!!! 2 weeks behind you know!!! Panicking panicking!!

okay, so we ploddeth on this happy week!

So lame but cute!!!

2006-04-05T03:56:00.000-07:00

Ahaha, Thought I'd share that with everyone.. it's so cute lah!!! Anyway, Thanks A13 for being so good and not falling asleep!! Kenny, Good luck in Italy!! have a good trip and enjoy yourself!! oh, the rest of you are so morbid because of your love for disturbing stuff.. =)

S32, S53 and S61 - you guys are doing essentially the same stuff. Discussing the compre package- poem and the 2 articles. Hope you guys understand the figurative language bit. It's really useful, especially when you tackle articles and stuff. I think you will have to attempt some questions tomorrow as well..

Alrighty then! See all of you!!

Boooored??

2006-04-03T00:47:00.000-07:00

Hello my S61-ians, as i said before as a disclaimer, this term is going to get pe-reee-tty boring! So sorry about that but comprehension skills has always been the dry part of GP!! At least I try to entertain you all by telling you stories about my life, albeit at the expense of my dignity.. I think by the end of term 2, you will all lose respect for poor little old me! =( haha!

S32- You'll be starting the Comprehension package tomorrow.. Muahaha! The boringness will come to you.. eh, to all the 'gentlemen' in 32, that joke about Mr Lofthouse and myself was sooooooo not funny!!! So embarrassing man! I can't wait to disown all of you so i can have my revenge!!! =)

S53, you'll be getting essays back tomorrow.. Wheee!! *drumroll* Armageddon arrives.. haha.. kidding! You guys did okay..wasn't as bad as I painted it to be. Please don't be disappointed because I can tell you that NOONE got an A!!

To my fungus colony, A13- word from Che che- DON'T CALL ME CHE CHE IN PUBLIC!! *Mortified yell* what will the rest of the school think??!! You spores!! HAHAHA! Love you people, really, I do..

Pulling My Hair Out..

2006-03-30T04:10:00.000-08:00

Yo kids!

Well, almost everyone's got their essays back except S53.. i PROMISE they'll get back to your eager hands the next Tues!! Haha.. ooh, very nice discussion on the education thing although I think most of you could have contributed more =)

For the rest who have got their essays back, please don't be so upset! It's very natural to get that sort of mark! Remember the achievement question? Should success be measured by achievement (academic grades)? Well, honestly, no.. grades don't determine a person's self worth. Besides, you need the time to develop the grades anyway. By next year, you'll all be scoring much better! Really!!

S61, glad you all enjoyed the movie and that it affected you in some way. Hope this makes you guys discuss and have serious intellectual debates about it.. haha

A13- AGH!!!! I'm actually out of things to do!!! it's actually going to be quite a dry period cos we'll be doing comprehension skills.. I'm actually pulling all my luscious locks out, just figuring what I should do with you guys tomorrow!! Any suggestions?

essay madness

2006-03-27T23:34:00.000-08:00

alright, sorry I couldn't return your essays today!!

S53, hope you enjoyed the movie? Hope that gave you all something to think about as well.

s32, thanks for being so good as to read the article and voicing out your views and opinions. Taufiqur, remember to bring your presentation this thursday so we can go through all of them.

A13- Essays back tomorrow!! Yay!! Melanie- where's my money???? $2 from everyone please!!!

2nd intakers have to pay $6.50 ($4.50 to the GP dept, $2 to me for photocopying stuff for you..)..also, the bad news is that 2nd intakers will still have to do the essay as homework ok?? haha! see you all soon!

Sometimes, we miss that touch so much, we Crash into each other...

2006-03-23T16:44:00.000-08:00

Hello my little ones..

S32, I hope you guys had a fulfilling time, watching Crash and thinking about racial issues. I really think there's a lot of undercurrent racial tension even at home, as some of you have unfortunately experienced for yourselves...

S53, You guys only watched half the movie but what do you think of it? Was it interesting? Did it ring true for you? Was it too unrealistic? sorry for the explicit language lah.. you know Hollywood..

S61, thanks so much for your input in your projects but I really hope you know what I'm trying to do for you... It's like, if you start with developement of characters, you need to keep along those lines and link them to the rest ie: family ties and relationships and social/individual perspective but you have to make sure you always link it back to character development. You guys will get to watch Crash next week..

Tomorrow- Heavy Day...

2006-03-21T23:51:00.000-08:00

A13- My 'stressed' younglings, not sure if we're able to watch Crash on Friday because a number of you might not be in class due to CCAs and stuff.. might hopefully be able to return essays.. judging by the lengths of them =) thanks for engaging in discussion today. At least most of you took the effort to read the article.

S32- You'll probably finish Crash tomorrow and please remember your projects ok? Please hit me with your impressive intellect.

S53- Kids, I think I'll let you guys watch Crash after your presentations.

S61- As promised, you people will also be bombarding me with intellect and impressive composition structural organisation.

See you adorable people tomorrow!

Reminders

2006-03-20T21:45:00.000-08:00

S53, well done for completing your presentations today! You just need to present them this coming Thursday.. Muahaha!!! I look forward to listening to your oh-so-intellectual and wise inputs on the death penalty and religious cartoons! =)

S32, [here's your class ah! don't say that I never mention your class on the blog! =) ]remember your promise!!! and i hope the movie was ok for you guys..sorry for the over-the-top use of the F-word.. as you know, with no F-words, Hollywood would cease to exist.. but I hope the movie's made you think about issues that're not only evident in the USA but in many other countries as well. Leave your comments about the show in the TagBoard if you want.. good to get some movie reviews.. and remember your projects this Thursday, yah?!?! Or else I'll sit on all of you!!

A13- I reeeaalllly hope that you people have your presentations ready.. and here's a dedication especially to VERA!! eh, remind your class about their projects ok!!! i need to hear some intellectualism tomorrow morning!!!

see you lovely people!

Events for Tomorrow!!

2006-03-20T05:44:00.000-08:00

S61, thanks for your undivided attention today.. =) Next lesson, please ensure that all your projects are done. Thanks!

S32- you'll be doing your projects tomorrow.. Remember ok!!! Your essays are still in the process of being marked.. So they'll be given back to you either next lesson or next week.

S53- Ah yes, you guys are a little bit behind but you will be given articles based on capital punishment/Death penalty and terrorism. You will be broken up into 4 groups for discussion and later, you will present your intellectual and stimulating findings! haha! Essays are also still being marked so you guys can wait for the apocolypse to occur in the next lesson or next week..haha

See you all tomorrow!

Holidays are soooo fun!!!

2006-03-14T06:08:00.000-08:00

Hello to everyone!

So, how's been the holidays so far?? My condolences to the Student Councillors who have buried their holidays 6 feet under.. =) (Like Meh-Meh and Hua-Hua) haha!

Well, just to prove that teachers aren't all that boring- I spent my Monday having a blast!!! Went swimming for 2 hours and then

*drumroll*

Karaoke-ing for (not 1) but FOUR solid hours man!!!

My cousins and I went down to Katong shopping centre (the haven for the young Ah-Bengs/Ah Lians and wanna be Ah-Kows) and booked a room for our crooning session..

And no, we did not spend four hours belting out Hokkien songs.. it was our own American Idol session and I must say, we sounded MUCH better than a lot of those who auditioned and made a total fool of themselves!! heehee.. Well, I would've attempted some Jay Chou or Fish Leong songs... IF I knew how to read Mandarin!!! Then again, my pronunciation would be SOOO bad that I'd be beaten up!!

Well, kids, hope you all having a good time and enjoying yourselves.. ooh, YiXiong!!! Where's your essay!!! If anyone from his class sees this, inform him about this essay 'loanshark' demand!!

Okay, here's another great video for you guys.. which is why I ALWAYS watch American Idol videos.. They are THE BEST!!

Vive le Pepe Le Pew!!

2006-03-09T15:33:00.000-08:00

Hello Kids,

A13, thanks for the essays- i know u were all very tired and well done for sticking through the armageddon of the week.. for those who had verbal constipation, you know the P.O Box: cloverjuice@gmail.com you need to e-mail your 'secret' documents by Saturday Noon, sil vous plait!! Tu comprend? Merci Beaucoup!

Amos, thanks for visiting today- sorry we couldn't provide you with entertainment but i hope the following video clip will make up for the boring time you had.. hope your ex-classmates will give you the link for this page =) It was lovely having you again...

Kenny- I only have one thing to say about you... you are absolutely, flabbergastingly hilarious!! you really made me laugh today.. but seriously, i hope your opinion will change with time.. =)

Ok, on to S61, these are the following groups:

Chen Rui, Ding Hong, Jeannie, Liu Wen and Her Han
Development of Charles's and McLeod's characters

Yvonne, Jeffrey, Ming Jie, Wai Bin and Su Chen
Family Ties- How does everyone relate to each other? What sort of family is it?

Darren, Terence, Shi Jie and Tran
Social Perspective vs Individual Perspective- hint is to talk about the development of perspectives...do they change? remain stagnant? whose perspective do we, as the audience, follow? How do the perspectives differ?

Felicia, Teo Hong, Ye Li and Yuan Hong
Relationship between McLeod and Charles- talk about development and whether it is limited to teacher/student?

This has to be done in time for presentations after the holidays.. please, can someone pass on this blog link to Felicia so she can access it too? Or someone give her a call to inform her about this?

On to some light hearted entertainment:
a little videoclip from me!! Why don't they make classic cartoons like this anymore??? Just play and make sure your speakers are on!!

Hope you guys enjoyed that- hope you all have a good holiday!! well, except for the Student Councillors who have willingly opted NOT to have a life!! haha! See you next next week!!

Class Discussions

2006-03-08T23:41:00.000-08:00

Well well, S61, well done to the 2 groups who've finished their presentation and as for the rest *fake glare*- you know what to do!! yes, this has to be done and presented after you come back from the holidays ok??
Dear Jeffrey has admitted to missing 3/4 of the movie- sigh...can someone please fill him in on the details or his 'usefulness' in the group presentations for The Man Without a Face will be comparable to the usefulness of a pashmina to a guy (if you guys know what a pashmina is... if you don't, it's a sort of pretty cashmere scarf..) =)
ok, i know some of you have forgotten the groups and what you're supposed to do- so watch this space tomorrow so I can post the groups online...
For 2nd intake, as i said before, you poor lost souls can attach yourselves like leeches to the various groups and see what they're working on etc..
Reminder to those who haven't done the essay- Essays need to be done over holiday! You girls have to hand it in first thing on Monday after the hols, ok?
Of course, lastly, it was really nice to see Sze Huan and Emily again! Here's wishing you good luck and happiness in your new schools! Don't feel shy to drop in once in a while..erm, of course, don't continue dropping in after the June hols otherwise the new GP teacher might put a restraining order against the both of you =)

okies, that's about it..

To 06A13- you kids have an essay tomorrow!! No groaning and persuading me to let you guys bring it home to do ok??

Class Discussions

2006-03-08T18:37:00.000-08:00

Hello my younglings,

S32, hope you'll continue your intellectual discussions so that you can present your arguments after the holidays.
Don't forget your Man Without a Face presentations!! For new students, maybe the 1st intakes can assume them into the various groups so noone gets left out. Fill them in on the movie if you like and tell them what good taste I have in movies.. haha.. maybe i might let you watch Brokeback Mountain.. hmm, on second thought, maybe not! i'll get fired for corrupting your innocent minds =)

Group presentations are as follows:

Yuru, Randall, Li Ting, Shidah, Prakash and Zhiwei
Development of Charles's and McLeod's characters

Jean, Daphne, Alvin, Elizabeth, Sindhu
Family Ties- How does everyone relate to each other? What sort of family is it?

Caron, Esther, Vincent, Samantha, Ngang Ju and Elliot
Social Perspective vs Individual Perspective- hint is to talk about the development of perspectives...do they change? remain stagnant? whose perspective do we, as the audience, follow? How do the perspectives differ?

Zamir, Jolie, Jacklyn, Seela and Taufiqur
Relationship between McLeod and Charles- talk about development and whether it is limited to teacher/student?

For Alvin, and other 1st intakes who haven't done the essay, you need to complete one question during the holidays.. 2nd intakes, you can choose to do it if you wish..
Either get the questions from your classmates or come to me tomorrow before 12.10pm to collect the questions from me. Ext no. is 148, ask for Ms Chloe Lim.

Alrighty, I won't be such a nag, yah? have a good holiday!

Welcome!!

2006-03-08T12:30:00.000-08:00

Firstly, here's a warm welcome to all new students and I hope you'll enjoy your stay in VJC for the next year and a half...

obviously, this is the GP website that you guys can access anytime.. it'll serve as a site to remind you about homework, what articles you need to bring.. an update on the events that are happening.. i might set up some links (especially to sites you could go to for news and stuff.. but of course, that'll take some time.

Well, here's a little update for you:

Thurs: S53 is going to have to do an essay during their three period.
S32 and S61 will be having a class discussion/presentation on terrorism and
the freedom of speech/the death penalty in Singapore.

Friday: A13, you'll be doing an essay as well- you'll have to choose a question out of 12 so please have a read through your GP guidebooks composition skills package I gave out a few weeks ago!

That's about it.. so see you all tomorrow!

Miss Lim

2006-03-07T20:22:00.000-08:00

oh yes, melanie,

reminder:

Collect $2 from everyone
Remember to remind everyone abt projects for after the holiday...