8:02 PM
Friday, June 19, 2009
Post #26.
June Holidays. (19/06/2009)
Subject: 2008 O-level Picture Discussion & Conversation Scripts (Day 10)
Picture Discussion:
This picture depicts several old folks being entertained by a young man in the middle of the picture, in an old folks' home. I guess that it is an old folks' home as there are many old folks in the picture, and by looking at the two ladies in the right background, I guess that they could be living there. Though the old folks are not very entertained by the young man, it is clear that he is there to tell them to do something, but in a fun way. Looking at the lady who has white hair and a watch in the left foreground, she looks interested in what the young man seems to express. Perhaps the young man is trying to teach the old folks how to wash their hands, as he raises his hands high up to the air and encourages them to do it with him. This is further proven by the young woman behind him in the background, who is also raising her hands to show the depicted action that the young man is doing. Before this picture was taken, probably the old folks were engaged in other activities, and they are going to have their meal now. I know that as there are cutlery and a mug on their tables in front of every old folk. I think that by having youngsters to engage in these activities might promote fillal piety amongst them, so that they do not abandon their parents who spent so much effort in raising them, just because they are old and useless.
Conversation:
I definitely agree to a large extent that some people worry too much about things. A very good example would be myself. Sometimes, I worry a lot about the consequences of the things which I do, but that is not exactly worrying, but a reminder to myself of the consequences of my actions. Other times, I would worry about how things would work out, if I had done certain things wrongly, I would then worry about what would happen. Many a times, my mother would remind me not to worry too much about things, as this would sometimes be a barrier towards the development of my potential and greatly affect my courage in doing things that I might have thought of doing it. Thus, I am currently trying to not worry so much, in the sense that I do not stress myself in the midst of "worrying" and stop "worrying". This can be explained that I do not stress myself to not worry or stress myself in the process of worrying. In conclusion, it is not exactly wrong or bad to worry, but when one worry too much, negative results might arise from unhealthy mindsets.
5:26 AM
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Post #25.
June Holidays. (18/06/2009)
Subject: 2008 O-level Picture Discussion & Conversation Scripts (Day 8)
Picture Discussion:
This picture depicts several children and teachers at a grass patch. I can see that it is a garden as the ground that they are stepping on is grassy and there are low fences surrounding the grass patch. Probably this grass patch is located just in front of a kindergarten as there are fences surrounding the area to prevent the children from running outside. In the foreground there is a lady in all smiles, who is most probably the teacher in the kindergarten. Based on her actions, I guess they are playing the game of 'The eagle catching chicks', whereby the person in front is the mother hen, and her job is to protect her chicks from the eagle who is trying to prey on them. This game probably interests the children alot, as seen from their excited and happy faces. Before this picture was taken, the children were probably informed about the game session and were probably already excited. I think that having a game session is good for the children as they have the right to enjoy their childhood and leave a good impression as they grow up. If I were to give this picture a title, I would call it 'Happiness garden'.
Conversation:
There are certainly many problems faced by women wishing to persue a career and have a family. Firstly, they would not have enough time to spend with their children, and the result could be disasterous as growing children requires much attention. This is exceptionally dangerous since both parents would be working in this case. Secondly, there might be family problems arising within the family. This is possible for families living together with elders in the family. Being a career women, returning from work is tiring and they might not have the energy to prepare meals for the family. The elders, having the older thinkings, might not be able to think in their shoes and misunderstandings would thus occur. Thirdly, the kinship bond between the family would not be strong, take for example, between the working mother and her daughter, or the working daughter-in-law with her mother. Since the working women would seldom be at home or returning home at irregular hours, the time which they spend together would be affected and this would in turn affect their bond. In conclusion, although women are encouraged to work and showcase their talents, it is advisable to gain consent of everyone in the family, be it the husband or the mother-in-law. This will ensure smooth family relationships and lesser quarrels.
3:24 AM
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Post #24.
June Holidays. (17/06/2009)
Subject: 2008 O-level Picture Discussion & Conversation Scripts (Day 6)
Picture Discussion:
This picture depicts several people cheering in a sports stadium. I know that it is a stadium as there is seats available for spectators in the background, sheltered from the elements of the sun. Furthermore, in the foreground, several girls are cheering excitedly on a field, which proves my point that it is probably a stadium. In the foreground, the girls are school students, as they are wearing school uniforms. Probably they are cheering for their school's scoccer team, which is in the midst of playing. As seen from all their smiling faces, their school's scoccer team might have scored a goal, and they are extremely excited and probably proud of the achievement. In the middle foreground, a girl who is almost jumping from excitement might be thinking, 'This is it, our school will secure the position in the finals.' Thus, she is too happy at that point of time that she leaped for joy. After this picture was taken, they might be celebrating with the school's scoccer team about their victory, looking back at how the vital goal was scored due to their perfect teamwork. I think that it is definitely a good thing that more teenagers are engaged in sports or sports-related activities which allows them to exercise more, instead of cooper themselves in front of the computer all the while. If I were to give this picture a title, I would call it 'Purely joy'.
Conversation:
I used to be very conscious about how others would view me. It happened due to the change in academic levels, the transition from primary school to secondary school. I did not really know why that happened to me, but I vividly recall about how I realised I was wrong. I remember that when I was in secondary one, I had my socks pulled super high, my shirt fully tucked in, and was a model nerd student. Just once did someone "whispered" too loudly to his friend that affected me. He said, "Look at him, what a super nerd!" Just that line alone made me hurt. I wondered why I was called a nerd. No one had told me that I did not look "normal", neither do I think that I do not. So, I thought about it and one day, mustered enough courage to pull down my socks and not fully tuck in my shirt. I wondered if I was unlucky but the following day, a teacher caught me for my socks and told me to pull them up. I guess he was tired of catching students with ankle socks and he asked, "Why do students nowadays like to wear ankle socks?" I thought about it. Though I did not answer him back, but I went home to think about it. I was wrong. I was wrong to wear ankle socks just for the sake of wearing them to look "normal". I should not bother too much about how people view me, as long as I am upright and honest. Thereafter, I never wore ankle socks just for the sake of wearing them.
2:37 PM
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Post #23.
June Holidays. (16/06/2009)
Subject: 2008 O-level Picture Discussion & Conversation Scripts (Day 4)
Picture Discussion:
This is a picture depicting several people trying to board the bus. In the right background, there is a bus, with the door opened wider than usual and a ramp leading up to the floor of the bus. This tells me that this bus might be used just for the disabled, as the wheelchairs would then be able to enter the bus. Furthermore, there is a ramp which aids the wheelchair going up the bus, and thus proves my point. The people in the picture mostly wear a tag in front of them, probably to show that they are from the same organisation. Perhaps that is a voluntary organisation trying to take the disabled for a trip, and thus, wear a tag to prevent the disabled from mistaking them for others. Besides, there is also another disabled lady on a wheelchair other than the man in the foreground. She looks rather happy and perhaps, excited on going for a trip as she might not have the chance to travel out of the disabled care centre. The man in the foreground is wearing a white long-sleeved shirt and trousers, with an anxious expression on his face. Perhaps he is unsure of what might happen at the place that they are going to go to, or he is going on a trip first time as a disabled participant, and is rather anxious and doubtful of the volunteers. Probably he would feel better if the volunteers would lifen up the mood on the bus when they are travelling to ease his anxiety and fear. Before this picture was taken, they might be at the disabled centre whereby the people stay, and the volunteers were probably there to take them out for the trip. I think that it is a great idea that buses should be improvised to adapt to the needs of the disabled, as they have the right to travel around and use public facilities just like we do. If I were to give this picture a title, I would call it "Lending a helping hand".
Conversation:
An area of natural beauty that I have been to is the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. It has been conserved by the Singapore government as one of the protected areas. Although I went there only once, it was more than just an eye-opener for me. It made me feel at peace. When there is not much chattering of schoolmates and classmates, I could feel the serenity of the place. Being in that natural wetland reserve was exciting, yet allowed me to enjoy the peacefulness which was admist the animals and insects which cohabit the area. I would definately recommend going there to experience it for yourself, as I would say that sometimes, words are limited and cannot fully express the feelings of human beings. Thus, an upfront experience is encouraged, and whatsmore, it allows one to gain more knowledge about wildlife, which I think most people living in urban areas would probably not know until they visit the place.
1:48 PM
Monday, June 15, 2009
Post #22.
June Holidays. (15/06/2009)
Subject: 2008 O-level Picture Discussion & Conversation Scripts (Day 2)
Picture Discussion:
This is a picture depicting several women trying to cut the wigs on the dummy human heads. I can tell that it is probably a temporary factory because there is only a table in the foreground of the picture, and no machines are shown in the picture. Perhaps they are trying to style the wigs in order to sell them away for money. The picture also depicts the women being confident in their skills and thus, they might be professional hairstylists. Also, they seem to enjoy what they are doing, with smiles on their faces. In the middle of the picture, a lady wearing a sleeve-less strap top is holding up the strands of hair on the wig and her scissors, probably attempting to trim the wig. She looks confident just like all the other women. Perhaps she might be thinking of the profits that she would earn from the wigs that would be sold, and the money would benefit her family. Before this picture was taken, the women were probably all at their homes, tidying up their homes before going to work, which is shown in this picture. I think that it is a good idea that the women also shares the burden of the family, earning extra income as well as doing the things that interest them, instead of staying at home and not being able to display their talents. If I were one of the women in the picture, I would be thinking to myself, 'This is easy money..'
Conversation:
My favourite hairstyle is short and simple hair. Personally, I feel that having short hair would not make me feel warm during days which are exceptionally warm, especially when living in Singapore, where the weather is generally hot throughout the year. The fact that I like my hair simple is that I would not waste time trying to get my hair right before rushing out when I am rushing for time. Furthermore, I am a rather lazy person and would not bother to style my own hair just for the sake of looking "nice". I enjoy going to the hairdresser, as I would have short hair again, after my haircut. As mentioned just now, I do not like my hair long. Personally, I feel that hairstyles are not important at all. As long as your hair is neat and tidy, it does not matter whether you look stylish or "cool" in the sense that your hair is unique. Furthermore, in schools which are slightly stricter, the teachers might not accept students with hair that they deem outrageous or far too long. Why create the unnecessary trouble?
5:36 PM
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Post #21.
Term2, Week10. (30/05/2009)
Subject: The friend.
He was ever so jocose; having a chat with him would liven up your spirits a little. With utmost candor, he is one of my best friends. His character is optimistic, and he would not care about people trying to malign or mortify him. He would just smile and reply, "Why do you allow yourself to condescend to this state?"
4:27 PM
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Post #20.
Term2, Week9. (23/05/2009)
Subject: Crimewatch.
Recently there has been more and more cases of fracas, involving inebriated men, who provoke others on purpose. At first, the people might be in a state of apathy, but several indecent actions or provoking actions would surely make them flare up. Thus, it is strongly exhorted that people do not attack them back as though they are your adversary on the spur of the moment.
