Examinations are a contradiction to me. On one hand, I've an acute fear of it. On the other hand, I know it provides a useful way to judge how much and how well I've learned. Unfortunately, the time has come to fight the dragons. With the 1st paper being tomorrow, I can't help but feel unprepared for it even though I know I've done all I've could this past few days. The result of my semester's effort will all come down to this one and only paper. It seems funny that your school life all depends on a piece of paper and how well you answer the questions on it. It's not how you participate in CCA activities, the friends you make or even the lectures you go for. (thankfully for the last one I must add) I guess this is one of the effects of living in a paper-obsessed society. Yet, there are many things to be happy about. What we can do after the exams is a sure motivation to push through these last few days of revision and catching up. I'm looking forward to the holidays though it's a pretty short one. A short break is better than no break, yes? Hope to learn new skills this coming holidays! :-)
Good luck to all for your examinations!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
I love music! - Part 1
My close friends would know that I love listening to music. While I try not to restrict myself to listening to particular genres of music, it is also unrealistic to expect myself not to have some likes and dislikes right? Let's start from the likes.
Since my generation belongs to the age where pop reigns over others, this fact has somewhat shaped my appreciation for music as a whole. I'm quite partial to boybands like Westlife, Boyzone and Backstreet Boys just to name a few. In addition, I'm a great fan of singers who have a powerful voice (at least in my opinion) like Celine Dion, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. It's quite unbelievable how high and crystal-clear their voices can reach. However, these songs have rapidly moved towards being categorized as the old-school kind. The evidence is that they can no longer be heard on so-called hippier radio stations and heard mainly on Class 95FM. (I really do like that radio station) On that note, I also like evergreen groups like the BeeGees, ABBA and The Carpenters although they belong more to my parents' generation.
For Chinese music, ny influence has undoubtably be my sister. She started the trend of listening to 93.3FM and I started to really listen to Chinese music. Since then, names like Cao Ge, JJ Lin, Guang Liang have become "household names". It was also this time that I realised that Chinese music and English music are quite different. It could be the lyrics or the music itself, but both language songs require different kinds of appreciation. (not sure if I've adequately explained it :-)) Still, my favourites are Joi Chua and the above few I've mentioned earlier with the list growing larger and larger.
Unbelievably, my brother introduced me to Korean music which have got me addicted. Not to mention that I already love listening to Japanese songs (anime-inluenced), Korean music brings a different kind of mood and style. Most songs are upbeat with catchy tunes and some awesome dance moves. Some popular groups include SNSD, Wonder Girls, Da Vichi, Big Bang, SS501, DBSK and many more. With the K-wave hitting Singapore, it would not be too much of a stretch to see a rapid rise in the number of Korea language learners. (One of my main gripes about J- and K-pop is my inability to understand the lyrics and this prevents me from fully appreciating the music)
(to be continued...)
Since my generation belongs to the age where pop reigns over others, this fact has somewhat shaped my appreciation for music as a whole. I'm quite partial to boybands like Westlife, Boyzone and Backstreet Boys just to name a few. In addition, I'm a great fan of singers who have a powerful voice (at least in my opinion) like Celine Dion, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. It's quite unbelievable how high and crystal-clear their voices can reach. However, these songs have rapidly moved towards being categorized as the old-school kind. The evidence is that they can no longer be heard on so-called hippier radio stations and heard mainly on Class 95FM. (I really do like that radio station) On that note, I also like evergreen groups like the BeeGees, ABBA and The Carpenters although they belong more to my parents' generation.
For Chinese music, ny influence has undoubtably be my sister. She started the trend of listening to 93.3FM and I started to really listen to Chinese music. Since then, names like Cao Ge, JJ Lin, Guang Liang have become "household names". It was also this time that I realised that Chinese music and English music are quite different. It could be the lyrics or the music itself, but both language songs require different kinds of appreciation. (not sure if I've adequately explained it :-)) Still, my favourites are Joi Chua and the above few I've mentioned earlier with the list growing larger and larger.
Unbelievably, my brother introduced me to Korean music which have got me addicted. Not to mention that I already love listening to Japanese songs (anime-inluenced), Korean music brings a different kind of mood and style. Most songs are upbeat with catchy tunes and some awesome dance moves. Some popular groups include SNSD, Wonder Girls, Da Vichi, Big Bang, SS501, DBSK and many more. With the K-wave hitting Singapore, it would not be too much of a stretch to see a rapid rise in the number of Korea language learners. (One of my main gripes about J- and K-pop is my inability to understand the lyrics and this prevents me from fully appreciating the music)
(to be continued...)
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Stories
Everyone has his or her life story to tell. May it be interesting, may it be long, may it be life-changing, there are many stories out there waiting to be told. In the newspapers, we read about people who are able to make it in this fast-paced, ever-changing world. Those are the success stories. There's so much to be learnt form these stories. Mostly, it's about how the person overcame all odds, challenges with iron-clad determination. Admittedly, this has become predictable but nonetheless, a seemingly essential ingredient for success.
Then there are stories which sets us thinking. Thought-provoking articles about what-ifs and the moving line which separates the good from the bad. Justification of certain punishments. Moral values. OB markers. There are a wide collection of stories that entices the grey matter to start working.
Of course there are also the stories which lead to tears. We must not forget that there are other people who are not as fortunate as us to be living in a material world. Sometimes, the world has been divided into two: one of a more affluent nature and the other a much poorer cousin being an understatement. People who are living well below the subsistence level, constantly worrying when the next meal is going to be, where is the next shelter to call home. There is help for them, but it is never enough. So should we expand our efforts or resign ourselves to the fact that we can only throw so many starfishes back into the water?
Life stories are wide and plentiful. If we ever bothered to stop to smell the roses, we should be able to stop and listen to the stories that people are willing to share. There is much to learn and helps to broaden our horizons.
Then there are stories which sets us thinking. Thought-provoking articles about what-ifs and the moving line which separates the good from the bad. Justification of certain punishments. Moral values. OB markers. There are a wide collection of stories that entices the grey matter to start working.
Of course there are also the stories which lead to tears. We must not forget that there are other people who are not as fortunate as us to be living in a material world. Sometimes, the world has been divided into two: one of a more affluent nature and the other a much poorer cousin being an understatement. People who are living well below the subsistence level, constantly worrying when the next meal is going to be, where is the next shelter to call home. There is help for them, but it is never enough. So should we expand our efforts or resign ourselves to the fact that we can only throw so many starfishes back into the water?
Life stories are wide and plentiful. If we ever bothered to stop to smell the roses, we should be able to stop and listen to the stories that people are willing to share. There is much to learn and helps to broaden our horizons.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Responsibility
It's a big word with many implications. Assuming a leadership position puts me face to face with this intangible entity which gets heavier with time. Some people are able to handle the burden admirably (Frodo Baggins in Lord of The Rings), others become weighed down by this invisible force. Friends who you can depend on become absolutely crucial in this juncture. While the rewards may justify the work, often, it is a thankless task.
I'm not sure how I'll handle it if it is being thrust to me. I only hope that I have the strength and persistence to see it through. It would by no means be the first time I'll be faced with it and it will definitely not be the last. To improve and grow, learning is needed. And it goes in a cycle...
I'm not sure how I'll handle it if it is being thrust to me. I only hope that I have the strength and persistence to see it through. It would by no means be the first time I'll be faced with it and it will definitely not be the last. To improve and grow, learning is needed. And it goes in a cycle...
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Mirrors
Look into a mirror and what do you see? A reflection of oneself that is untainted by lies or malice. A doppelganger staring right at you. Reality in the virtual. They are the windows to your soul. When you face a mirror by yourself, there is no longer a need to deceive and pretend. What you see is what you get.
Mirrors come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. There are dresser mirrors, dentist mirrors, wall mirrors, road mirrors, hand mirrors and even house of mirrors in amusement parks. Mirrors have a variety of uses that help us in our daily lives. It has become such an integral part of our lives that I can dare say that there are few who have not looked into one at least once a day.
Something as simple and elegant as a mirror with such an important function, yet it serves to provide us with a greater insight on who we really are. When we stare into the mirror and ask who is the fairest of them all not unlike Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, what would the mirror say? Are we really happy with what we have become or who we really are?
If one can see the inside of another soul, what do you hope to see? Something as gleaming as the first rays of sunlight? Or something darker like the abyss which is devoid of light?
"Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?" - adapted from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Mirrors come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. There are dresser mirrors, dentist mirrors, wall mirrors, road mirrors, hand mirrors and even house of mirrors in amusement parks. Mirrors have a variety of uses that help us in our daily lives. It has become such an integral part of our lives that I can dare say that there are few who have not looked into one at least once a day.
Something as simple and elegant as a mirror with such an important function, yet it serves to provide us with a greater insight on who we really are. When we stare into the mirror and ask who is the fairest of them all not unlike Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, what would the mirror say? Are we really happy with what we have become or who we really are?
If one can see the inside of another soul, what do you hope to see? Something as gleaming as the first rays of sunlight? Or something darker like the abyss which is devoid of light?
"Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?" - adapted from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
VJChoir All-guys Outing
2 guys, a girl and a pizza place. 8 guys, 1 bottle of alcohol and 1 Japanese restaurant. What's the link? Well, the former is a hit drama/comedy, the latter was an outing I just came back form. The outing was memorable for more than one reason.
To be honest, I've not seen most of the people for a long time. While the time gap for KW and Shawn is perfectly understandable (they are currently studying overseas and are only back for the holidays) and that of Calvin and ZY can still be acceptable (they are studying in NUS), the fact that I've not seen CL, WL and JLo is quite amazing since we are all studying at NTU. Well putting that aside, it was a happy occasion to see all of them again. Reminisience was definitely on the cards.
Eventually selecting a Japanese restaurant at Marina Square, we made our way there exchanging stories and playing catch up. After placing our orders we began a HTHT which was nothing short of intriguing. We touched on personal relationships which I would not disclose here since there are sensitive issues. We also talked about what we wanted to do in the future. This would be one of the outings that I would cherish because the time we spent together in the company of brothers is precious to me!
We've set another outing soon. Hint: It has something to do with our passion.
Hope to see everyone again!
Mad World!!
To be honest, I've not seen most of the people for a long time. While the time gap for KW and Shawn is perfectly understandable (they are currently studying overseas and are only back for the holidays) and that of Calvin and ZY can still be acceptable (they are studying in NUS), the fact that I've not seen CL, WL and JLo is quite amazing since we are all studying at NTU. Well putting that aside, it was a happy occasion to see all of them again. Reminisience was definitely on the cards.
Eventually selecting a Japanese restaurant at Marina Square, we made our way there exchanging stories and playing catch up. After placing our orders we began a HTHT which was nothing short of intriguing. We touched on personal relationships which I would not disclose here since there are sensitive issues. We also talked about what we wanted to do in the future. This would be one of the outings that I would cherish because the time we spent together in the company of brothers is precious to me!
We've set another outing soon. Hint: It has something to do with our passion.
Hope to see everyone again!
Mad World!!
Monday, July 27, 2009
Approaching the end of the holidays...
The national anthem rang out from the loudspeakers. Everybody stood up to take the pledge. The president takes his leave. The after-party starts amidst the excitement of the fireworks. Parade ends and school holidays draw to a close...
Very real indeed. I'm just picturing how it would be like on 9 August 2009. There would be joy and there would be a sad voice inside me telling me that school is starting again. I must say I have enjoyed the very long holidays. Busy with the little things as well as the big things, the holidays gave me a much-needed break away from the stressful studying environment. The changes that may happen (i.e I'm no longer staying in hall and I may be joining a new CCA) provide some anticipation.
The impending D-day leaves me the impression that I must cherish the last part of the holidays. As such, I'm trying to organize outings to meet up with old friends (did I say old? I mean young!) as well as new ones. I sincerely hope the attendance won't be too bad.
The autumn wind brings with it the scent of fallen leaves. The leaves fall so that new ones can grow. The cycle of life continues in a never-ending cycle that never fails to amaze me.
Very real indeed. I'm just picturing how it would be like on 9 August 2009. There would be joy and there would be a sad voice inside me telling me that school is starting again. I must say I have enjoyed the very long holidays. Busy with the little things as well as the big things, the holidays gave me a much-needed break away from the stressful studying environment. The changes that may happen (i.e I'm no longer staying in hall and I may be joining a new CCA) provide some anticipation.
The impending D-day leaves me the impression that I must cherish the last part of the holidays. As such, I'm trying to organize outings to meet up with old friends (did I say old? I mean young!) as well as new ones. I sincerely hope the attendance won't be too bad.
The autumn wind brings with it the scent of fallen leaves. The leaves fall so that new ones can grow. The cycle of life continues in a never-ending cycle that never fails to amaze me.
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