Wednesday, May 20, 2009
An interview with my father on a book that he had read when he was young ( For LA Assesment) @ 12:09 AM
S= Si Jian F= Father
S:What book that you read when you were young left a lasting impression in your mind?
F:Hmm, I remember this book that is entitled " Animal Farm ". I also believe that some classes in HCI are reading on that book.
S:Can you give me a brief summary of what the book is about?
F:This story is set in Manor Farm,and the author uses third-person narrative to write the story. However, the animals were rallied by a pig, stating that their owners, the humans did not treat them fairly and a rebellion should be held against the humans. They successfully overturned the humans and renamed the farm " Animal Farm", having 7 commandants of Animalism. However just as the animals were living happily, they realised that they were under the control of the pigs all the while, Instead of what the pigs said of each animal being treated fairly. This can be clearly seen in some politically unstable countries and is most probably the reason why the author decided to write the book during the WW2 period.
S:What have you seen or learnt from this story.
F:Those who lead us will always be one step ahead of us and thus their power will in turn be a danger instead of goodness to us.They will in turn use their power to control us and brainwash use.Power is something that one desires and there is no turing back when you have misused it.
S:In reality, how can we make sure that one does not get influenced by POWER?
F:No matter what position we hold or take, we must be aware of our surroudings and know the consequence of our misuse of power. Power is easy to control, but once it had been overly-used, good will in turn become bad. Take for example Singapore,if you have noticed, we became a first world country froma third world country in such a short span of time.Why? It is because our government knows how to use "power" properly and knows how to make the people think as if they are the same level as them, preventing conflicts of power.
S:What was the vocal point that retained a lasting memory in you?
F:Power must be used properly and to the benefits of others, or a slip mmay even cause the worst change.
S:May you take a character and compare it with the modern world now?
F:Erm,the Old Major can be compared to people who debate over the government decisions, like at the Speakers' Corner. He rallied the animals when he thought that his views were for the better, just like during the sudden economic crisis where people debae over the government, rallied by someone who has the same opinion as them.
S:That marks the end of the interview.Thank You.
F:Welcome
Monday, May 18, 2009
Do you agree that since a professional sports career is short-lived,you should not go into one? ( For LA Assesment ) @ 11:34 PM
Sports require us to be fit, healthy,young and agile. Everyone in the world would yearn to join a sports career, due to its high pay, but did you ever consider how long this job would last you? I agree that 20-30 years old is the optimal age for a sportmen. Sports have high demands from you, but when you grow old, you either work in the team as coach or find another job.However, dont you think that when you have no more use for the sport team, you will eventually be kicked out,and left to fend for your own?
In my opinion, I support both views.Firstly,on the disagreeing part, my point is that we will have a very minimal chance of getting the same job after we retire from the team. It is only when we are famous than can we create a center that teaches your sport.Take for example soccer.In soccer, only those famous ones have been able to create clubs for their second part of their life. David Beckham is also at a not so young age of about 40, and because of his fame,he is able to create a football club to teach young children football.Also, most athletes will have no job to take on after they retire as the first half of their life is spent on training themselves for competitions to represent their country since young. Thus, little chance is given to educate and allow them to get a degree and enable them to join the workforce after they retire from their various sports.They can only get their degree after they retire,letting them be a step behind others.
I agree on the point, however, as from joining a sport, we can learn sportsmanship and manners. It will also help to make us have more perseverance than others. We will then have the correct attitude to face minor setbacks and strive better the next time for success. When we retire from our various sports and join the workfore in another field, we will then be able to have the mindset of striving on for our goal and also let us achieve our aspirations.
Finally, I think that those who want a smoother road should not enter the world of sports as the road is bumpy and full of obstacles.However, the final coice is yours.
Term 2 Week 2 Blog prompt - Imagine you lost your eyesight. Write a journal entry on your experience. ( For LA Assesment ) @ 9:10 PM
Why did this tragic incident befall upon me? What had I done wrong to offend others? I sat on my bed, wondering what has costed me this incident. My life had been a joyful and one full of obstacles to overcome, but since this incident, I have been left blind and my life had since plunged into a sea of darkness. Thus, I decided to write a journal entry about why I have become this state and what were wrong in my actions.Firstly, the first sign of deteoriation started after I got a PSP for my 11th birthday. I kept on playing day and night until the doctor said I needed glasses during the Annual Schools' Health Check.I was perplexed at what the doctor said to me. I had maintained a good eyesight for years and now, my eyesight was deteoriating. I listened to what the doctor said and got a paor of glass.However, a bad habit cannot be changed so easily. I continued to play my PSP despite several warnings from my parents. I thought that it was just the fact of wearing spectacles.
However, I started to squint very badly and started to see things blurly.I started being paranoid and my parents had no choice but to bring me to the doctor to check up on my eyes. The doctor said that I had a severe short-sightedness and was going to be blind.This news devastated me. I felt as if the whole world was empty and all warmth, love and expressions were gone into thin air. My parents were also shocked by this incident. I sold my PSP and decided to go for theraphy sessions for my eyes.
I learnt that one should be more aware of the consequences of his/her actions and know the price to pay for their actions. One must not follow in the footsteps of me and must know that a game is just a game, it doesnt matter what game, but as long as you play and play, your eyes will become like me one finally day.
However, one must also know that playing games is the only factor that affects our eyesight.Almost everything we do, ranging from looking at the computer moniter, sleeping late and even studying makes our eyes tired and we then squint as our eyes' muscles are contracting. I believe that one should retain and treasure the good eyes you all have now and not spoil your eyesight. Also, nothing is wrong but we must know the limit and when to stop.Otherwise, the ending would be devastating.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Ending for Village by the Sea (For LA assesment) @ 12:19 AM
"Cluck,cluck,cluck" the chickens in the farm created a din as Hari rushed out to pacify them. Two months had passed and Hari was happy with his current condition. He had a poultry farm that was a hectre large.With advices from Jagu and Mr Panwallah, Hari had learned how to manage a business in Thul.Hari's farm was earning a lot of revenue and Hari's mother condition was steadily getting better.Hari;s mind pondered over the half built factory and did not know if his farm could last him a living.The people of Thul had given up their jobs on fishing as they wanted to change for the better. Some went to create their own business will others came to work at Hari's farm. Also, due the increae in the number of workers building the factories in Thul, more people sought for Hari's poultry.
What was more important that day was that Hari's mother was going for her weekly medical checkup;but what was more special was that this checkup would determine if Hari mother can reduce the number of checkups Hari's mother need to go once a month. Hari accompanied his mother and awited for news outside the hospital. Minutes seemed like seconds, but finally , Hari's mother came out of the room. The doctor was full of smiles and said:" Your mother is recoering at a very fast rate. She will only nedd to come again twice a month, or whenever something props up.
As Hari and his mother went home with the good news, a celebration awaited them. The moment they stepped in to the house, the were greeted with louds chants and cheers. Everyone was in a joyous mood.His mother good health seemed to bring about some relief and Hari heaved a sign. All was good for now.