Happiness

Well just got my thinking assignment marked by Madam Tham and felt my heart gleam with happiness when she drew the stars. This may be noted as 'lame' but it made me realise that simplicity brings pure happiness.

Teachers draw stars on students' work when we are young, mostly in primary schools. It made students really happy then. These primary school students would then perhaps go to their friends and share the joy. Childish it may be but there is something to note, the innocence and simplicity.

Innocence is something that causes us to feel happy. When people are young, the world they know comprises only of the things around them. Parents protect their children as much as possible because they are too young to be independent. Thus, they live in a world that is more or less perfect, which causes them to only see one side of life. Their thoughts are only skin deep and small little praises make them happy. Teachers drawing stars on their assignments make them elated all the time.

However, innocence wears off with time. As humans grow older, they start to see the complexity of life. Life now is not that simple and parents do not protect us that much. We are left on our own to face the world, and find ways to survive. This erodes the childish thoughts in our minds and we mature. Stars on assignments no longer seem to make one happy. Instead, we humans complain that we have so much work and that the world is too complex. All these complains make us grumpy and increases the difficulty for us to obtain happiness. Perhaps we should find back that innocence.

Simplicity such as stars on assignments, gives one everlasting joy. This means that we have done well and the stars are recognitions of our hard work. However, humans now rely on materialism for happiness. The latest gadgets, the highest fashion are what we want the most. Yes they may bring happiness. But the brutal fact is that they only bring short term happiness. A new gadget bought may make one happy at the time of purchase. However, due to the rapid development of technology, a new product surfaces soon after and we lose interest in the gadget that we bought and pursue the newly released product. This is a vicious cycle.

Back in the days when technology was still in its developing stage, people find joy from simple things in life. Such things include marbles, five-stones and tops. With all these items, people in the past could have a whale of time. But those items would only bring happiness for a few minutes now. Simplicity brings happiness at its purest state and that is what makes it everlasting. Also, happiness obtained from hard work as well. Getting a good score for tests makes everyone happy. Though this may take up a lot of mental strength and stamina (especially when tests are after one another) but the results are sweet. We should learn from the people in the past and find happiness in simple things as they bring happiness that is pure like no other.

Intrapersonal Assignment (Choice C) ----- Jem

Dear Diary,

Why is this world so cruel? I want to get out of it! I cannot bear with it anymore! I now understand why Boo Radley wants to stay in there. Maybe I should.

My father Atticus had all the evidence. He had used all the evidence that was available to all. He was going to win, and was supposed to win, but no. The jury that was supposed to and claimed to truly support justice and equality are all liers. It is all because of the code, the code of society, the code, that took away one beautiful life. Why must we be slaves to this code and follow it strictly? What is wrong with breaking it, why does it even exist? I do not understand.

The evidence of Tom Robinson's innocence was out there staring at the jury, but why can't they see it? Instead, they decided to go along with the society, believing that the blacks are always guilty when something is wrong. Is a black's life that worthless that one less does not matter? What is a hardworking and fatherly person as compared to a white? Atticus's answer would be that they are equal, and I totally agree with it. But that would defintely not be the answer that the society has in mind.

The evilness of this society is great and to stay in is a really good way of escaping it. Boo has a point. Before I end this diary entry, I truly hope that justice would be restored in this world, and let the 'blinded' see the light.

Regards,
Jem

Interpersonal Assignment

Here is an interview with my parent on the topic of prejudice and discrimination. Also. this interview is about To Kill A Mocking Bird.

What is prejudice to you?

Prejudice is like thinking of something that is bad to perform on someone because you do not like him or her.

What is discrimination then?

Discrimintaion is the act of performing something bad on someone that is not being accepted or liked.

To Kill A Mocking Bird is a book that is written revolving round the theme of prejudice and discrimination. There are different instances that prejudice and discrimination happens. Let's talk about the major one first, the discrimination against the African Americans. What are your feelings about the discrimination of them?

This kind of discrimination happened all over America. I sympathize with African Americans as they are normal human beings like us, however, they are discriminated against. Just because they first entered America as slaves does not mean that one is superior as compared to them.

In To Kill A Mocking Bird the blacks are never equal especially during the court case. What are your feelings?

I feel very upset as I feel everyone should be treated as equals. It is obvious that Tom Robinson was innocent but the jury said that he was guilty. I am really upset by the jury's decision as the jury is supposed to be made up of people who truly believes in justice and judges by evidence.

A recluse in To Kill A Mocking Bird is also being discriminated against. Many people came up with stories of him that are not real, such as him driving a scissors into his father's leg. What are your feelings then?

This world is made up of people of different characters, race and religion. Someone that behaves differently is no reason for him to be discriminated against. Just because someone behaves differently does not mean that he is weird. He might have his reasons for doing so.

Multiple Intelligence

Well I just took the Multiple Intelligence test and found out my preferred learning style. The resuts are as follows :

 

1. Intrapersonal
2. Interpersonal and Linguistic
3. Musical, Visual and Logical
4. Naturalitsc
5. Kinaesthetic

I think that the Multiple Intelligence Test is very helpful in allowing us to know where our strengths and weaknesses are. Also, we get to know our preferred learning styles through this test. Here are (I think) the benefits of taking this test are:

1. People are able to find the appropriate working partners when doing projects. This is because for a working group to be a successful one, the group has to have members of different strengths. So through this test, we will be able to know each others' abilities and therefore make the right decision.
2. Students are able to know their preferred learning styles and thus are able to make adjustments or choose the suitable way of learning. For example those who are Naturalitsc, can choose to learn things perhaps by walking in the park or forest trails? Also those students who are signing up for tuition classes are able to choose and know which type of class is most suitable for them.

As you can see, there are many benefits of taking the Multiplae Intelligence Test.So what are you waiting for, take the Multiple Intelligence Test today!

Roaring Chinese New Year Everyone!

There may be a little irony when I wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year on the last day of the event. However, I choose this day as I would like to tell you about my feelings and reflections that I have for this festive season. One can only say reflections at the end of an activity right? And thus I will say mine on the 15th day of Chinese New Year. 

Well this year, my lunar new year holidays has been one that has more work and less play . I think most of you out there must have felt the same and probably posted this on your blog , or shared it with friends. I have to do more work, as there are tests after the holidays and quite a heavy load of homework. *( homework > days of holidays )whereby the amount of homework is directly proportionate to the duration of holiday*. This is the formula in which every teacher adopts I guess?

Apart from studying, here are some other things that I did:

1) Rest Hard. I am sure all of you out there are dying for sleep. We students are very tired having to wake up early in the day to 'squeeze' up public transport. And, on particular days we have activities in school until evening. At home, we have to revise for tests, complete homeworks and projects. If the workload is a lot, we sleep very late at night, or extremely early in the morning. This cycle goes on and on. So when the holidays come, the first thing in my head is SLEEP!!

2) Eat Hard. Pineapple tarts, love letters, roasted meat, steamboat, 'yu sheng' and all the goodies only make my mouth water. How can one get past Chinese New Year without eating all these goodies? It is once a year that one gets to eat all these goodies! So what are we waiting for? Eat!

3) Visit relatives. It is the time of the year that family members go to each others' house and have reunion dinner. This is a time to meet up and strengthen the bonds with one another and to update each other on what is happening in their lives. Some may have a whale of a time but some will have to be interrogated. Recent news have highlighted that old folks love to ask  personal questions about their children's marital satus and more. And these people get very frustrated that they go overseas to escape these irritating question. Please spare them a thought??

4) Count hard! This is the favourite time of the year for many because of the red packets that they will receive. However, the more we want, the less we will get because we may have set our expectations too high! So don't be greedy!!

In conclusion, my lunar new year holidays was one that was filled with laughter, joy, work and food!!!! I have enjoyed myself very much.

Still I Rise

To Kill A Mocking Bird is written revolving round the theme of Prejudice, mainly the prejudice between the African Americans and the Whites. I found this poem extremely effective in bringing out the feelings of the African Americans, and thier determination.

Here is the poem:

                     Still I Rise by Maya Angelou                                          

You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies,

You may trod me in the very dirt

But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?

Why are you beset with gloom?

'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells

Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,

With the certainty of tides,

Just like hopes springing high,

Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?

Bowed head and lowered eyes?

Shoulders falling down like teardrops.

Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?

Don't you take it awful hard

'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines

Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,

You may cut me with your eyes,

You may kill me with your hatefulness,

But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?

Does it come as a surprise

That I dance like I've got diamonds

At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame

I rise

Up from a past that's rooted in pain

I rise

I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,

Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear

I rise

Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear

I rise

Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,

I am the dream and the hope of the slave.

I rise

I rise

 I rise.

 

I just attended the 43rd Memorial Service in Commemoration of the Civilian Victims of the Japanese Occupations on 15 of February held at the War Memorial Park. As its name suggests, this event is one that commemorates the victims of the Japanese Occupation. A simple, yet solemn affair.

Many students and students from various uniform groups attended this event, together with the family members of the victims. When the event was taking place, I could see a picture of those suffering in my mind. There were images of people crying alone or as a group over their deceased family members, and images of people being tortured until the last breath running thru my mind. The pain and agony that one feels is horrible. The lost of family members is forever. And it will truly leave a bad memory in one’s mind.

We may not be able feel how this shadow is, but those whose family members fell at the hands of the Japanese know. This is what the teacher-in-charge(Mr Edmund Teo) saw and felt, which I find very meaningful:

“I would like to share something I saw just prior to the arrival of the Guest-of-Honour, RADM(NS) Lui Tuck Yew, Acting Minister for Information, Culture and the Arts:

Amidst all the busyness and anticipation of the commencement of the ceremony, amidst the soft chatter between all the participants in their suits, uniforms and formal business attire, an elderly women holding a bouquet of yellow and white flowers, dressed in a white blouse with pink floral motifs and black rayon pants, made her way slowly in an unassuming manner through the central tent towards the Civilian War Memorial Monument. With the assistance of a walking stick and a middle-aged lady who might be her daughter, she passed first through the NCC cadets, then the foreign dignitaries, and finally past the official photographer, to reach the steps of the monument. Unnoticed by the crowd, the two ladies climbed the steps and laid the bouquet at the centre of the Monument. But just before stepping away, the elderly lady paused, touched the monument gently with the fingers of her right hand, and seemed to whisper soft words to the plaque at the centre of the Monument. The whole scene must have lasted no more than three minutes and soon both ladies were making their way down the steps of monument to take their seats at a side tent amidst the crowd of very young students in uniform.

This scene is my takeaway for the Memorial Service. It helped me to understand that war is not about victories, those vanquished, or the numbers lost. It is about the intimate loss and grief of those who have survived the war, and what they must still feel even after so many decades. Every war has personal stories of loss, and this morning I was given a glimpse into one individual story of loss.”

Although this event may be a short one, but it truly reminds us of the tragedy that Singapore went through quite a long time ago.

Although this event is a short one, it truly shows the long feeling of lost that one feels.