Pick a news story that you've read this week or last week in your Reading Period , and comment on the issue covered in it. How effectively was the story reported? Did it not cover any information you'd hoped it would?
If the story is availabe online, please provide a link.
The news story I've read last week during the Reading Period was of five policemen in Brazil firing their pistols at a 13 year old boy for no reason. I feel that the five policemen should receive severe punishment, as they took advantage of their rights to have a firearm for security reasons, to shoot at the civilians. THe police is supposed to protect the citizens of the country, and in this case, the police took advantage of the citizens and almost caused the young boy his life. I feel that the story is not very effectively reported as it didn't state the punishment for the irresponsible policemen.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Blog-Writing Prompt #4
Write a short letter to the editor of The Straits Times, commenting on what Singaporeans can learn from the recent Japanese earthquake and tsunami, and whether we as a nation possess what it takes to handle a similar crisis.
In my opinion, we Singaporeans can learn from the way the Japanese citizens reacted to the disaster and that we have to treasure what we have now and be prepared and not take things for granted. I feel that we as a nation do not really possess what it takes to handle a similar crisis. From the trials or drills the government put the citizens through, most of the citizens do not really take these into account, and this would be fatal if disaster strikes. I feel that the government should educate the citizens on the proper way to react should a similar crisis hit us. Many Singaporeans by nature are very kaisu, so they would be rushing to supermarkets to get their groceries and essential daily needs, which would result in long queues. THe Japanese citizens, however, are very disciplined, and reacted very calmly and compared to other countries also hit by similar disasters, looting is minimum. Whereas, in countries such as China and Haiti, when the earthquake struck, the citizens of the country went mad, running about looting and rushing to aid relief centres, hospitals, causing stampedes. I think, this is something that we should learn from the Japanese.
In my opinion, we Singaporeans can learn from the way the Japanese citizens reacted to the disaster and that we have to treasure what we have now and be prepared and not take things for granted. I feel that we as a nation do not really possess what it takes to handle a similar crisis. From the trials or drills the government put the citizens through, most of the citizens do not really take these into account, and this would be fatal if disaster strikes. I feel that the government should educate the citizens on the proper way to react should a similar crisis hit us. Many Singaporeans by nature are very kaisu, so they would be rushing to supermarkets to get their groceries and essential daily needs, which would result in long queues. THe Japanese citizens, however, are very disciplined, and reacted very calmly and compared to other countries also hit by similar disasters, looting is minimum. Whereas, in countries such as China and Haiti, when the earthquake struck, the citizens of the country went mad, running about looting and rushing to aid relief centres, hospitals, causing stampedes. I think, this is something that we should learn from the Japanese.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Blog-Writing Prompt #2
In your opinion, has enough been doen to combat racism? How do you think racism can be dealt with in Singapore
In my opinion, I feel that enough has been done to combat racism in Singapre. The Singapore government had clamped down hard on people who post racist comments on the net or make racist comments in public. Hefty fines and jail terms were the severe punishments for racists. I also think that racism in Singapore can be further dealt with by imposing even severe punishments such as caning for the offenders. Also educating the young citizens from young is also very essential.
Whereas, in other parts of the world, I feel that efforts to combat racism in not enough. In a certain neighbouring country, there are many people who go on the net and post racist comments and get away with it, as long as the comments did not offend the majority race of the country, because most of the government officials are of the same race and religion.
In my opinion, I feel that enough has been done to combat racism in Singapre. The Singapore government had clamped down hard on people who post racist comments on the net or make racist comments in public. Hefty fines and jail terms were the severe punishments for racists. I also think that racism in Singapore can be further dealt with by imposing even severe punishments such as caning for the offenders. Also educating the young citizens from young is also very essential.
Whereas, in other parts of the world, I feel that efforts to combat racism in not enough. In a certain neighbouring country, there are many people who go on the net and post racist comments and get away with it, as long as the comments did not offend the majority race of the country, because most of the government officials are of the same race and religion.
Blog-Writing Prompt #1
Reflection on CIP done on Founder's Day
I feel that the interaction with the elderlys who had dementia was a very good experience for me. The activity allowed me to know more about elderly with dementia and how to deal with them. I have learnt that, when we are dealing with elderly suffering from dementia, we have to have very good communicating skills and high levels of patience. I have also learnt that although the elderly were slightly challenged in the brain, they have a sharper sensitivity in their feelings and we have to be very careful about what we say.
I feel that the interaction with the elderlys who had dementia was a very good experience for me. The activity allowed me to know more about elderly with dementia and how to deal with them. I have learnt that, when we are dealing with elderly suffering from dementia, we have to have very good communicating skills and high levels of patience. I have also learnt that although the elderly were slightly challenged in the brain, they have a sharper sensitivity in their feelings and we have to be very careful about what we say.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
LA Final Draft
“Doors are closing…” the usual monotone recording of a voice warning commuter of the closing doors rang out in the train and the MRT station as a few more passengers rushed into the train. I was lucky enough to grab seat in the train a few stations ago and rested by already very tired legs as I stood on the bus to the MRT station for half an hour. From these, I experience one part of being a teacher already, as our teachers in school usually stand throughout the whole one hour or one and a half hour lessons and they have to teach. This was one of the reasons I do not usually create trouble during lessons as standing for so long and having to dill with clowns in the class must not be an easy job.
As the train doors started closing, a grumpy looking elderly woman squeezed through the closing doors quickly and with much agility. She was carrying two big bags of what seemed like vegetables and meat to me. Seeing that she was capable of being so agile at her age and with her hands full of grocery, I had respect for her as my grandmother at home was already on wheels. However, as I observed her closely, she was actually panting and her palm clutched her chest tightly. I laughed to myself as the “stunning” move was obviously too much for her.
Before she was walked in, the whole carriage was filled with the loud and not very polite conversation between two teenage boys who were sitting on the reserved seat for the elderly, disabled, people with toddlers and pregnant woman. It was as if the old lady was their strict discipline mistress. When the old lady stepped in, the two teenage boys stopped their conversation instantly and put on two very big ear phones and blasted the music into their ears. They pretended to sleep in order not to give up their seat to the old lady.
The old lady stood next to them, placing her groceries on the ground of the MRT and leaned her body against the plastic transparent “wall” separating her and the teenage boys. One of the teenage boys did a stupid action, which got him into trouble. He opened one of his eyes and looked around to see if the old lady was still around, before “waking” his friend next to him. The old lady saw this and took her chance; she went to them and asked them politely if it was okay if they gave up their seat for her as she could not stand for too long. The teenage boys looked at her and asked if she could wait until they reached their station before giving up their seat. The elderly woman glared at them in disbelief and just shook her head in disappointment. She muttered something in dialect under her breath, which means “Parents are not doing enough to educate their children”.
I was disgusted by their reaction when the old lady politely asked them to give up the seat which was reserved for her. I remembered what the school always emphasized on “respect the elderly and care for the young”. I got up and gave up my seat to her. Her wrinkled face broke into a toothless grin and praised me. When she looked at the red badge on my left collar, she asked if I was from Hwa Chong. I answered her proudly and told her “yes”.
As the train doors started closing, a grumpy looking elderly woman squeezed through the closing doors quickly and with much agility. She was carrying two big bags of what seemed like vegetables and meat to me. Seeing that she was capable of being so agile at her age and with her hands full of grocery, I had respect for her as my grandmother at home was already on wheels. However, as I observed her closely, she was actually panting and her palm clutched her chest tightly. I laughed to myself as the “stunning” move was obviously too much for her.
Before she was walked in, the whole carriage was filled with the loud and not very polite conversation between two teenage boys who were sitting on the reserved seat for the elderly, disabled, people with toddlers and pregnant woman. It was as if the old lady was their strict discipline mistress. When the old lady stepped in, the two teenage boys stopped their conversation instantly and put on two very big ear phones and blasted the music into their ears. They pretended to sleep in order not to give up their seat to the old lady.
The old lady stood next to them, placing her groceries on the ground of the MRT and leaned her body against the plastic transparent “wall” separating her and the teenage boys. One of the teenage boys did a stupid action, which got him into trouble. He opened one of his eyes and looked around to see if the old lady was still around, before “waking” his friend next to him. The old lady saw this and took her chance; she went to them and asked them politely if it was okay if they gave up their seat for her as she could not stand for too long. The teenage boys looked at her and asked if she could wait until they reached their station before giving up their seat. The elderly woman glared at them in disbelief and just shook her head in disappointment. She muttered something in dialect under her breath, which means “Parents are not doing enough to educate their children”.
I was disgusted by their reaction when the old lady politely asked them to give up the seat which was reserved for her. I remembered what the school always emphasized on “respect the elderly and care for the young”. I got up and gave up my seat to her. Her wrinkled face broke into a toothless grin and praised me. When she looked at the red badge on my left collar, she asked if I was from Hwa Chong. I answered her proudly and told her “yes”.
An Incident on the public transport
It was not long ago when I last took the public transport. There was an incident which I witnessed and left me feeling very disgusted and I was regretful of my actions.
That day was a Thursday and I did not have any CCA trainings on that day so I took the fastest route possible to reach my home in Tampines. I boarded bus 171 from the bus-stop on the other side of the road and went to Newton MRT. At City Hall station, I was quick enough to “charge” across the other side of the platform and lucky to find an empty non-reserved seat in one of the cubicle. Naturally, I sat down and rested my tired legs which supported by body for the past half an hour.
When the train reached the Kallang station, a grumpy looking elderly woman walked into the carriage I was in. She was carrying two big bags of what seemed like vegetables and meat to me. Before she was walked in, the whole carriage was filled with the loud and not very polite conversation between two teenage boys who were sitting on the reserved seat for the elderly, disabled, people with toddlers and pregnant woman. It was as if the old lady was their strict discipline mistress. When the old lady stepped in, the two teenage boys stopped their conversation instantly and put on two very big ear phones and blasted the music into their ears. They pretended to sleep in order not to give up their seat to the old lady.
The old lady stood next to them, placing her groceries on the ground of the MRT and leaned her body against the plastic transparent “wall” separating her and the teenage boys. One of the teenage boys did a stupid action, which got him into trouble. He opened one of his eyes and looked around to see if the old lady was still around, before “waking” his friend next to him. The old lady saw this and took her chance; she went to them and asked them politely if it was okay if they gave up their seat for her as she could not stand for too long. The teenage boys looked at her and asked if she could wait until they reached their station before giving up their seat. The elderly woman glared at them in disbelief and just shook her head in disappointment. She muttered something in dialect under her breath, which means “Parents are not doing enough to educate their children”. I looked at the elderly woman and felt sad for her, but I did not do my part to help by giving up my seat.
After this incident, I think that the teenagers action reflect the failure the education their school and parents gave them. Respecting the elderly and helping the young are one of the very important values the Chinese uphold. The teenage boys obviously did not have any of these. However, criticizing them is not correct, as I, being a witness, did not do anything to help the elderly woman. I feel that by doing this, I have let my school and parents down by not being able to carry out what they have taught me. I shall make a constant effort next time, by giving up my seat automatically when I see an elderly person come into the same public transport I am taking.
That day was a Thursday and I did not have any CCA trainings on that day so I took the fastest route possible to reach my home in Tampines. I boarded bus 171 from the bus-stop on the other side of the road and went to Newton MRT. At City Hall station, I was quick enough to “charge” across the other side of the platform and lucky to find an empty non-reserved seat in one of the cubicle. Naturally, I sat down and rested my tired legs which supported by body for the past half an hour.
When the train reached the Kallang station, a grumpy looking elderly woman walked into the carriage I was in. She was carrying two big bags of what seemed like vegetables and meat to me. Before she was walked in, the whole carriage was filled with the loud and not very polite conversation between two teenage boys who were sitting on the reserved seat for the elderly, disabled, people with toddlers and pregnant woman. It was as if the old lady was their strict discipline mistress. When the old lady stepped in, the two teenage boys stopped their conversation instantly and put on two very big ear phones and blasted the music into their ears. They pretended to sleep in order not to give up their seat to the old lady.
The old lady stood next to them, placing her groceries on the ground of the MRT and leaned her body against the plastic transparent “wall” separating her and the teenage boys. One of the teenage boys did a stupid action, which got him into trouble. He opened one of his eyes and looked around to see if the old lady was still around, before “waking” his friend next to him. The old lady saw this and took her chance; she went to them and asked them politely if it was okay if they gave up their seat for her as she could not stand for too long. The teenage boys looked at her and asked if she could wait until they reached their station before giving up their seat. The elderly woman glared at them in disbelief and just shook her head in disappointment. She muttered something in dialect under her breath, which means “Parents are not doing enough to educate their children”. I looked at the elderly woman and felt sad for her, but I did not do my part to help by giving up my seat.
After this incident, I think that the teenagers action reflect the failure the education their school and parents gave them. Respecting the elderly and helping the young are one of the very important values the Chinese uphold. The teenage boys obviously did not have any of these. However, criticizing them is not correct, as I, being a witness, did not do anything to help the elderly woman. I feel that by doing this, I have let my school and parents down by not being able to carry out what they have taught me. I shall make a constant effort next time, by giving up my seat automatically when I see an elderly person come into the same public transport I am taking.
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