Let me introduce myself first. I am a manager, working for Fedlex. My monthly salary is two thousand dollars. I am married with two children. Everyday after work (about 8pm), without fail, I will go to a coffee shop to drink beer, the shop which I patronize the most.
Okay, I know you will say that I should go home right after work to play with my kids, but I really cannot control my urge to drink. Moreover, the so-called “drinking session” is the only time for me to take a good rest after the long day at work. Also, if I go home too early, my wife will start nagging at me for coming home too early, and she will say that I should spend more time working overtime and earn more money, instead of coming home to slack.
I started drinking beer when I started working as I really could not cope with tremendous stress that my boss gave me. Therefore, I can only drown my sorrows with beer. Of course, I know that drinking too much beer will harm me and family a lot. I may have lung cancer in a few years’ time but the beer seemed as drugs to me and I really cannot control myself.
Normally, I will spend one hundred bucks after every “drinking session” and I don’t really care about it very much. I know, I am not supposed to drive after consuming beer as I may harm the lives of road-users and myself. However, how should I go home if I cannot drive? Taking a cab home and abandon my car?
By drinking beer, I feel high and all my worries are gone. Beer is the only thing that I can think of when I am sorrowful. Although some of you may say that the effects of drinking beer is the same as consuming drugs, but the only thing different is that drinking beer is legal but not for drugs. If you were in my shoes, what would you do? Playing sports or exercise will not help as I do not have any friends to play with and I hate to sweat (haha!).
I have confess to you all of myself being an alcoholic. Can you really understand my plight?
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
My favourite character in Village by the sea
My favourite character in Village by the Sea is Lila, one of the main characters in the story. She contributed to her family by assuming the role as the mother as her mother was severely sick.
Lila has to wake up early in the morning to make tea for Bila and Kemal before they go to school. In the afternoon, she has to wash their clothes and prepare the meals for the family. At night, she cannot sleep peacefully as her father will make a lot of noises by breaking the clay bowls. In other words, she received nothing in return for her contributions to them. If I were Lila, I would surely feel unfair as I cannot receive education, unlike my younger siblings, who study and will have a bright future. Her spirit to persevere makes her want to continue her “mundane” lifestyle. She can choose to throw tantrums at her parents for the unfairness they treated her or abandon her family for Bombay, like Hari. I dare to say that if Lila abandon her family and leave for Bombay to find a job, her life will be better and more meaningful. Sadly, she did not as she wanted to stay with her mother and siblings to take care of them. Therefore, I really admired her spirit of selflessness and perseverance.
Some people might say that Hari is the same as Lila, as they both contributed much to the family. However, Lila’s case is somehow different from that of Hari’s. Hari hated his father so much that he wanted him to die, but for Lila, she accepted the fact that their father is an useless man. Also, Hari left for Bombay in anger as he hated his father very much, neglecting the feelings and welfare of his family. Who will be the breadwinner if Hari leaves? It is obviously Lila, thus, her “workload” increased. However, Lila did not grumbled as she knows that being the eldest silbling in the family, she has the responsibility to take good care of her family.
Now, do you know why she is my favourite character in the story?
Lila has to wake up early in the morning to make tea for Bila and Kemal before they go to school. In the afternoon, she has to wash their clothes and prepare the meals for the family. At night, she cannot sleep peacefully as her father will make a lot of noises by breaking the clay bowls. In other words, she received nothing in return for her contributions to them. If I were Lila, I would surely feel unfair as I cannot receive education, unlike my younger siblings, who study and will have a bright future. Her spirit to persevere makes her want to continue her “mundane” lifestyle. She can choose to throw tantrums at her parents for the unfairness they treated her or abandon her family for Bombay, like Hari. I dare to say that if Lila abandon her family and leave for Bombay to find a job, her life will be better and more meaningful. Sadly, she did not as she wanted to stay with her mother and siblings to take care of them. Therefore, I really admired her spirit of selflessness and perseverance.
Some people might say that Hari is the same as Lila, as they both contributed much to the family. However, Lila’s case is somehow different from that of Hari’s. Hari hated his father so much that he wanted him to die, but for Lila, she accepted the fact that their father is an useless man. Also, Hari left for Bombay in anger as he hated his father very much, neglecting the feelings and welfare of his family. Who will be the breadwinner if Hari leaves? It is obviously Lila, thus, her “workload” increased. However, Lila did not grumbled as she knows that being the eldest silbling in the family, she has the responsibility to take good care of her family.
Now, do you know why she is my favourite character in the story?
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Is progress necessarily beneficial for the society?
iPhones, iPod, Vista, PSP, these are the so-called fashion stuff nowadays. Can people die if these gadgets are not invented? However, if computers or handphones were not invented, communication among the people in the world will not be possible and I am sure we will have trouble surviving in this planet. Therefore, do you think progress is necessarily beneficial for us?
In my opinion, I think I am near to the disagreeing side. Let me tell you the reason. Let’s take Village by the Sea as an example. As Biju’s motorised boat was being built, a lorry transporting timber tried going into the sandy beach. However, it got stuck and needed the help of the villagers to make it going again. As a result, a boy joked that the lorry driver should send his timber in a bullock cart as it will not get stuck in the sand like his “modern” lorry does. This shows that progress may not always make the lives of people more convenient. Another example: Biju’s motorised boat. Do you think Biju can catch so much fish if his boat is not motorised? No, he cannot. Therefore, this shows that progress or invention may make the lives of people more convenient.
As society progresses, many pros and cons appeared. The pros are the convenience it brings to us and the cons are that we may become too reliant over that invention and cannot live without it.
Think about it. Since the ancient people can survived happily without any invention or progress, why can’t we?
In my opinion, I think I am near to the disagreeing side. Let me tell you the reason. Let’s take Village by the Sea as an example. As Biju’s motorised boat was being built, a lorry transporting timber tried going into the sandy beach. However, it got stuck and needed the help of the villagers to make it going again. As a result, a boy joked that the lorry driver should send his timber in a bullock cart as it will not get stuck in the sand like his “modern” lorry does. This shows that progress may not always make the lives of people more convenient. Another example: Biju’s motorised boat. Do you think Biju can catch so much fish if his boat is not motorised? No, he cannot. Therefore, this shows that progress or invention may make the lives of people more convenient.
As society progresses, many pros and cons appeared. The pros are the convenience it brings to us and the cons are that we may become too reliant over that invention and cannot live without it.
Think about it. Since the ancient people can survived happily without any invention or progress, why can’t we?
My favorite part in Village by the Sea
I think that my favorite part in Village by the sea is the part where Hari left for Bombay to find a job and to earn money.
Let me give a summary of that part:
Just as Hari reached Bombay, he was enthusiastic about everything in Bombay; the lights, vehicles and the many buildings. However, it surprised Hari that he and the other fishermen were not chosen to give the petition to the Chief Minister. Then, Hari had no choice but to stay in Bombay as he could not afford a boat ticket. He met Billu, a coconut seller, who gave Hari a small coconut to quench his thirst. Then, he attempted to look for the De Silvas for help but it failed. As a result, he got to know Hira Lal, a security guard working in the De Silvas’ flat. He brought Hari to Sri Krisna for food and shelter. Jagu, Hari’s boss, was a selfless man, who gave Hari a job and a shelter to live in. The watchmaker, who has a shop beside Jagu’s one is the person whom I think is Hari’s biggest benefactor. The watchmaker not only gave a high-salary job to Hari, he still taught him on how to repair watches and imparted him life values. It was also him who made Hari feel not so lonely in Bombay. Moreover, if he did not teach him watch-repairing skills, Hari cannot be a watchmaker when he went back to Thul.
In my own opinion, I think that it is Anita Desai’s intention to write this part of the story so as to show that Bombay is not a place full of evil people; it also has some kind people too like Jagu and Hira Lal. With the benefactors’ help, Hari could then settle down in Bombay and earn a living.
Let me give a summary of that part:
Just as Hari reached Bombay, he was enthusiastic about everything in Bombay; the lights, vehicles and the many buildings. However, it surprised Hari that he and the other fishermen were not chosen to give the petition to the Chief Minister. Then, Hari had no choice but to stay in Bombay as he could not afford a boat ticket. He met Billu, a coconut seller, who gave Hari a small coconut to quench his thirst. Then, he attempted to look for the De Silvas for help but it failed. As a result, he got to know Hira Lal, a security guard working in the De Silvas’ flat. He brought Hari to Sri Krisna for food and shelter. Jagu, Hari’s boss, was a selfless man, who gave Hari a job and a shelter to live in. The watchmaker, who has a shop beside Jagu’s one is the person whom I think is Hari’s biggest benefactor. The watchmaker not only gave a high-salary job to Hari, he still taught him on how to repair watches and imparted him life values. It was also him who made Hari feel not so lonely in Bombay. Moreover, if he did not teach him watch-repairing skills, Hari cannot be a watchmaker when he went back to Thul.
In my own opinion, I think that it is Anita Desai’s intention to write this part of the story so as to show that Bombay is not a place full of evil people; it also has some kind people too like Jagu and Hira Lal. With the benefactors’ help, Hari could then settle down in Bombay and earn a living.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Are we really nerdy?
During the previous Sec 1 assembly, we had the Principle’s Dialogue session. It was about a quiz on Facebook which commented on various schools. The topic was “ Are HCI really nerdy or reserved, just like what the “Facebookers” label?”
I have two points to support my decision.
First, if we were nerdy and reserved, can our school even survive for 90 years, without any setbacks? Okay, this means that a lot of parents wanted their children to study in HCI. Then, will it mean that they want their children to become nerdy or reserved? I know, the temple-like gates, students wearing short and brown khaki shorts make the people think that we are reserved and nerdy. However, these “traditions” had been ongoing since the opening of HC and we had to keep them as they are our symbols.
Secondly, I think, in my opinion, the “Facebookers” are jealous of our success. Well, just like Dr Hon said, people will always find chances to find fault with successful ones. (okay, I am not boasting) Wonder how they would feel if they were in our shoes? Usually or always, people, mostly from the press, like to “find fault” with elite schools so that they can attract attention from people and earn money.
Let me give you an example. If there are two students in Macdonald’s and they come from an elite school and a neighbourhood school and they speak vulgarities. And there is a Straits Times reporter there… Let me ask you, will the reporter want to write the title “ HCI caught in action” or “ ABC school caught in action” Which one is more catchy? The answer is obvious.
Therefore, let me give HCI students a piece of advice. Don’t ever commit a mistake or the school’s reputation will be ruined!
I have two points to support my decision.
First, if we were nerdy and reserved, can our school even survive for 90 years, without any setbacks? Okay, this means that a lot of parents wanted their children to study in HCI. Then, will it mean that they want their children to become nerdy or reserved? I know, the temple-like gates, students wearing short and brown khaki shorts make the people think that we are reserved and nerdy. However, these “traditions” had been ongoing since the opening of HC and we had to keep them as they are our symbols.
Secondly, I think, in my opinion, the “Facebookers” are jealous of our success. Well, just like Dr Hon said, people will always find chances to find fault with successful ones. (okay, I am not boasting) Wonder how they would feel if they were in our shoes? Usually or always, people, mostly from the press, like to “find fault” with elite schools so that they can attract attention from people and earn money.
Let me give you an example. If there are two students in Macdonald’s and they come from an elite school and a neighbourhood school and they speak vulgarities. And there is a Straits Times reporter there… Let me ask you, will the reporter want to write the title “ HCI caught in action” or “ ABC school caught in action” Which one is more catchy? The answer is obvious.
Therefore, let me give HCI students a piece of advice. Don’t ever commit a mistake or the school’s reputation will be ruined!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
CIP in Clementi
Last Saturday, the Ortus sec 4s and the HCINCC went to Clementi for a food drive, organized by the Ortus Service Learning Club. There were 55 of us and I earned 8 hours of CIP.
Our aim was to collect food (such as instant noodles, rice) from various houses and donate them to the needy and helpless elderly who are living in Clementi. We were divided into four groups. The three groups, which comprises about 45 students, was in charge of collecting food whereas the second group was in charge of classifying the collected food into groups such as instant noodles, oil and canned food. All the sec 1s were in group 1.
The SLC had rented the nearby RC for convenience and a place for us to rest. To be frank, it was my first time approaching so many houses to collect something. Our group was given three black garbage bags and off we went!
Usually, most of the doors were closed as it was 9pm then, which I think that it was quite early as it was a Sat. The people would normally give instant noodles as they were cheap but some kind Samaritans gave food like rice, oil and canned food. Unluckily, for my group, we met an unreasonable Aunty……
We saw an apartment which the door was opened. We approached it and rang the doorbell. Out came an obese Aunty. My friend said that we came from HCI and were here to collect food and … Do you know what her reply was? She replied in Chinese, “ I can give the food to the elderly myself and not need middlemen like you all! After all, I am an elderly and you all not only do not give me food, you all still want me to give you food! Tell me, is this world fair?” Having heard her words, we stood rooted to the ground, not knowing what to say. “Aunty, come on, your house is so well-furnished and you still claim that you need those food? Morever, you can just gave us a straight ‘No’, instead of telling us a long story!” I muttered to myself. After calming ourselves, we thanked her and left in a hurry, not wanting anymore ‘trouble’!
With the strength of so many people, we managed to collect quite a large amount of food for the needy elderly. I think that when the elderly receive these food, they will be elated as they know that there are people around to help them.
From this CIP opportunity, I not only earned some CIP hours, I also get to learn on how to socialise with all sorts of people. Also, I had learnt that being a salesman is not easy as they will be rejected or rebutted when they attempt to sell their products.
Our aim was to collect food (such as instant noodles, rice) from various houses and donate them to the needy and helpless elderly who are living in Clementi. We were divided into four groups. The three groups, which comprises about 45 students, was in charge of collecting food whereas the second group was in charge of classifying the collected food into groups such as instant noodles, oil and canned food. All the sec 1s were in group 1.
The SLC had rented the nearby RC for convenience and a place for us to rest. To be frank, it was my first time approaching so many houses to collect something. Our group was given three black garbage bags and off we went!
Usually, most of the doors were closed as it was 9pm then, which I think that it was quite early as it was a Sat. The people would normally give instant noodles as they were cheap but some kind Samaritans gave food like rice, oil and canned food. Unluckily, for my group, we met an unreasonable Aunty……
We saw an apartment which the door was opened. We approached it and rang the doorbell. Out came an obese Aunty. My friend said that we came from HCI and were here to collect food and … Do you know what her reply was? She replied in Chinese, “ I can give the food to the elderly myself and not need middlemen like you all! After all, I am an elderly and you all not only do not give me food, you all still want me to give you food! Tell me, is this world fair?” Having heard her words, we stood rooted to the ground, not knowing what to say. “Aunty, come on, your house is so well-furnished and you still claim that you need those food? Morever, you can just gave us a straight ‘No’, instead of telling us a long story!” I muttered to myself. After calming ourselves, we thanked her and left in a hurry, not wanting anymore ‘trouble’!
With the strength of so many people, we managed to collect quite a large amount of food for the needy elderly. I think that when the elderly receive these food, they will be elated as they know that there are people around to help them.
From this CIP opportunity, I not only earned some CIP hours, I also get to learn on how to socialise with all sorts of people. Also, I had learnt that being a salesman is not easy as they will be rejected or rebutted when they attempt to sell their products.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Sec 1 NCC Camp Feast
On 2o-21 April, we, the sec 1 of HCINCC went to Ang Mo Kio where the NCC HQ is located. We spent a fun and interesting 2 Day- 1 Night camp there. Alot of schools were there like New Town, West Spring, Nan Hua High and the one that I can't forget most--- Crescents' Girls. The Crescent girls really gave me a deep impression and they let me think again what NCC is like. They were so disciplined, more "obedient" than boys.
They even had their own club water bottles and attire. Maybe I should suggest this to my seniors. I was so-called traumatised when they could 'stone' under the hot sun for two long hours, and they neither moved nor talked! For the boys, including our school, we just chatted happily, as if no one was watching. Unluckily, one of the 'Sirs' saw our act and he decided to 'knock us down' ( which means to make us do push-ups). At first, all the boys were pumping and the girls continued being statues. Then, a Malay boy from Kent Ridge shouted, "Sir, u taught us the meaning of 'one for all, all for one', so I think that the girls should pump with us to show team spirit!!!" After hearing his words, my eyes widened and jaw dropped, body still in the pumping position. I think it was not only the boys, the girls were shocked too!(Haha!!)
After much consideration, the Sir ordered the girls to pump. Giggles could be heard among the boys. The boys were told to do 30 whereas the girls---15. This was the most interesting and shocking experience I had in NCC!
The food provided there was not too bad( since the name of the camp is Camp Feast). Surprisingly, we slept on beds and I thought it was tents at first. For the whole of two days, we did abseiling, flying fox, shooting paintballs at targets and the night performance! Actually, when I was told to go up the 5-storey building for the flying fox, my legs really wobbled and went numb instantly! After all the safety measures were checked, I was told to sit on the edge of the building, ready to jump. I really felt like backing out but it was all too late. The staff pushed me down with his legs and here I went!! The experience was really thrilling and fascinating. My newly- made friend from West Spring did the Flying Fox for three times as he joked in improper English, " Why u so stupid? U know, outside, one trip costs 70 Bucks and I can save 210 Bucks if I go for three times!" What a typical Singaporean!
After all camp, we exchanged contacts with one another. We reached the school at 4pm. What a fun and exciting camp I had!
They even had their own club water bottles and attire. Maybe I should suggest this to my seniors. I was so-called traumatised when they could 'stone' under the hot sun for two long hours, and they neither moved nor talked! For the boys, including our school, we just chatted happily, as if no one was watching. Unluckily, one of the 'Sirs' saw our act and he decided to 'knock us down' ( which means to make us do push-ups). At first, all the boys were pumping and the girls continued being statues. Then, a Malay boy from Kent Ridge shouted, "Sir, u taught us the meaning of 'one for all, all for one', so I think that the girls should pump with us to show team spirit!!!" After hearing his words, my eyes widened and jaw dropped, body still in the pumping position. I think it was not only the boys, the girls were shocked too!(Haha!!)
After much consideration, the Sir ordered the girls to pump. Giggles could be heard among the boys. The boys were told to do 30 whereas the girls---15. This was the most interesting and shocking experience I had in NCC!
The food provided there was not too bad( since the name of the camp is Camp Feast). Surprisingly, we slept on beds and I thought it was tents at first. For the whole of two days, we did abseiling, flying fox, shooting paintballs at targets and the night performance! Actually, when I was told to go up the 5-storey building for the flying fox, my legs really wobbled and went numb instantly! After all the safety measures were checked, I was told to sit on the edge of the building, ready to jump. I really felt like backing out but it was all too late. The staff pushed me down with his legs and here I went!! The experience was really thrilling and fascinating. My newly- made friend from West Spring did the Flying Fox for three times as he joked in improper English, " Why u so stupid? U know, outside, one trip costs 70 Bucks and I can save 210 Bucks if I go for three times!" What a typical Singaporean!
After all camp, we exchanged contacts with one another. We reached the school at 4pm. What a fun and exciting camp I had!
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