Watched I am Legend today. Not including flashbacks, three people appear in the movie, of which two speak. But overall, cool movie, fast paced, old premise but still action-packed and gripping enough. Now, who wants to go and watch National Treasure?
Holidays are ending soon, went back to school for the second time in two days. Get used to the school environment again, haha. Went back this morning to plan for Raffles Trail next Saturday, for all the CCAs to showcase themselves to the new sec1s. So, we'll end up doing the same old same old again, maybe (in fact, probably) we'll drag out the old article on Li Qian again 0___o
Holidays are ending soon, went back to school for the second time in two days. Get used to the school environment again, haha. Went back this morning to plan for Raffles Trail next Saturday, for all the CCAs to showcase themselves to the new sec1s. So, we'll end up doing the same old same old again, maybe (in fact, probably) we'll drag out the old article on Li Qian again 0___o
Random post. Like every other man on the road, I'm a kaypoh Singaporean so I can't help doing things like staring at road accidents. Car crash along Lornie Road on Sunday, fortunately nobody was hurt. I realise I'm a lousy blogger to read, because I'm too lazy to be philosophical except fro rare moments, and also too lazy to write properly about stuff, like Sunday's muscial performance
Ym Camp Afterglow
Camp Afterglow. Where we happy campers come together again, for meeting everyone again and having fun. But of course, it wouldn't be right without a sharing/testimony session and discussions/reflections. But, games first. Dog and bone, with Alvin Chew's idea of using a real bone, and the Tay brothers getting one. From a pig. Oink Oink Oink, this little piggy went to market.
Piggy bone!!!
Peoples playing dog and bone
Afterglow was quite fun actually, and quite alot of the newcomers for camp came for afterglow. Anyway, short posts FTW, so just to repeat, afterglow was good, and anyone interested in joining next year's camp comm, think fast and tell me! =)
Wow Daniel, I didn't know you cared so much haha =) And yes I suppose I do blog for other people to read (pffffffft, I can't decide if that's pathetic or admirable) Actually I didn't intend to be blogging this morning but I had an urge to visit my blog and then I see Daniel flooding my tagboard (-.-) But I'm rambling now....
Dammit, metacognition can be a simultaneous blessing and curse...
I realise that after YM camp I've spent most of the week slacking at home pointlessly and doing nothing. Bored =( I want to go out =(=(=( (insert ignoring clarence here) Haiz, I shall go relieve boredom by writing commonwealth essay 0.o
Dammit, metacognition can be a simultaneous blessing and curse...
I realise that after YM camp I've spent most of the week slacking at home pointlessly and doing nothing. Bored =( I want to go out =(=(=( (insert ignoring clarence here) Haiz, I shall go relieve boredom by writing commonwealth essay 0.o
Shutdown
Hmmmmm, gonna retreat from this blog for a while, although that dosen't count for much, seeing as I don't appear to have many readers anyway. So, unless I find out I have readers (other than Clarence Lim Dao Wen), I'm shutting down this blog, at least for the time being.(All the world's a stage
the players all in disarry)
-little emo boy
Hue city, OIP 2007
Wow. Came back from Hue, Vietnam yesterday at 5pm. To be truthful I am glad to be home, but now after a day and a night to mull over it, I realise I'm starting to miss Hue and all the Nguyen Tri Phuong students now. I'm not going to post a blow by blow or day by day account of what happened or what we did, but I am going to describe it in as much detail as I can.Well, let's list the things we did on the trip shall we?
1) Immersed ourselves in Vietnamese culture
2) Got to know and engage with students from a foreign country
3) Leadership development
4 ) Service-Learning (buzzword of our times)
Frankly, the most important, and most memorable, of the above four is number 2. Yes, we did stay in Hue for two weeks, lived with a normal family in Vietnam, went about to be tourists and learn about foreign cultural heritage. All of that is indeed inaccessible if not for the trip; it's an experience to remember, but it's not the experience to remember.
Leadership development dosen't even go as high as the first one. Sure, it's a unique and different environment we're thrust into to prepare ourselves for the rigour of leadership beyond management; to "achieve something extraordinary".
Service Learning. Yes, it's service in a location that is remote from Singapore, yes it's a unique learning opportunity and I did learn alot that I might otherwise never have, or at least at a much later date. But frankly, the thing I'm sure we remember most from this trip is the people, not the things we did, the sights we saw or the service-learning.
After all, the Overseas Immersion Programme's tagline (for this year at least) is the ever-appropriate "Human Element". When it was coined, the organisers were no doubt thinking about what they were going te refine and purify out of the sec 3s through this programme, but for me, the whole journey and the two weeks spent are completely wasted without the human element.
Because, we could have gone and done all that, cultural heritage, cultural imemrsion, leadership development and even service learning all on our own, or even as a single person, and there really would be much less reason to remember and to treasure.
So, here's to hoping that we'll all still be able to keep in touch. To everyone, thanks for the memories, the good times and the not so good times.
Last day of school
Last day of school, and surprisingly enough, not very much celebration or merrymaking about it; we must all be getting old. Looking back at the past 3(?) weeks since the end of the EOYs, it's actually been one of the best, most productive periods of not doing anything. And then, looking back at sec 3, it's been great. Fantastic. Absolutely wonderful. To avoid sounding any more prosaic, I'll just say it was eventful, and all to fast. Sec 4, here we come. 4 days till I leave for Hue, and then 14 days till I'm back.I doubt I'm cut out to be the sort which write lengthy posts about important and unimportant events, or even just the the former. Perhaps I should stick to one-liners eh?
Stolen from Toonwei : Why is bread noiser than coffee? Because breadtalk and kopitiam
Things to blog about:
-End of EOYs
-What to do after EOYs
-Whatever.
Results are back, my GPA is horrible but I'm feeling strangely detached and indifferent. Personal suject reflect and review much?
History: 68%
3.2??? Gah. Hoping for a high 3.6 to pull up my GPA, so, unexpected.
Social Studies: 63%
Seriously, how can SS be this hard. But then many people didn't do exceptionally for SS. But how can it be hard???? Must learn to answer the question and write the essay.
English: 71%
No 4.0? And a low 3.6 to boot. Nothing to say.
Physics: 76%
Actually, I really stopped caring after Kwong Loong arrived. Would have been surprised if it was lower than 70% though.
Chem: 85%
The only 4.0 grade point... zzzz..
Bio: 79%
Two more marks for the EOY paper and it could have been a 4.0... zzzzzzz
HCL: 53%
A pass.
A pass.
Maths: 56%
I'm so going to buck up next year. Motivate me ok?
Now that I've started training properly again this week, I realise it's not much longer till the OIP trip to Hue, Vietnam. But, talk about that another time shall I? Post exams, I also realise there are many many many ways to occupy oneself before, during, and after school. But, school's ending in less than a week and SL fair is on thursday. Crap. Gosh, sec 4 is coming soon already. Woah.
(Post exam) To-do-list:
-Spend time with God regularly
-Read
-Write
-Work out (Biang?)
-Feed facebook addiction
-
Back.
Okay, I'm finally back after EOYs, although I'm not sure why. Oh well, I'm quite lag considered EOYs ended nearly a week ago. Haven't posted because I've been quite busy actually. Went back to school today for OIP briefing and prep and whatnot for 9 hours. Waste time.I've become a Facebook user, although its positivity (?) is debatable. Add me =) (Argh, I'm becoming high le. Too many things to post about, can't order thoughts) Screw me, and you'll end up with a picture.
DEAD. But obviously nobody cares. Awwwwwwwww. EOYs are almsot over, but the past week was obviously not a good time to play DotA everyday. The fact being that it incites unnecessary noise. Probaly not a good time to become a facebook addict. Anyhow. 18 more hours or so.
On writing
Do not put statements in the negative form.And don't start sentences with a conjunction.
If you reread your work, you will find on rereading that a
great deal of repetition can be avoided by rereading and editing.
Never use a long word when a diminutive one will do.
Unqualified superlatives are the worst of all.
De-accession euphemisms.
If any word is improper at the end of a sentence, a linking verb is.
Avoid trendy locutions that sound flaky.
Last, but not least, avoid cliches like the plague.
~William Safire, "Great Rules of Writing"
I try to leave out the parts that people skip. ~Elmore Leonard
A critic can only review the book he has read, not the one which the writer wrote. ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic's Notebook, 1960
I am returning this otherwise good typing paper to you because someone has printed gibberish all over it and put your name at the top. ~English Professor (Name Unknown), Ohio University
If there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it. ~Toni Morrison
It is impossible to discourage the real writers - they don't give a damn what you say, they're going to write. ~Sinclair Lewis
(x) things about my parents
I'm reasonably sure, or if not reasonably hopeful that most people (read, adolescents) argue/disagree/quarrel etc with their parents at least once in a while, and that's likely one of the many things that allows me unimpeded sleep at night.Sometimes I can't stand my parents, but all the same, I'm quite sure I love them. I'm just not so sure about it, or perhaps, showing it. But, this, is a rant that hasn't had very much time to cool off yet, so here goes.
In no particular order:
1) My mum (apparently) intentionally (often) misreads the time to ( or so i take it) coerce or falsely persuade me. ie, (at 11:30) "it's midnight already, can you go and sleep!!"
2) My mum inexplicably finds my behaviour "unacceptably rude" at random intervals for no reason whatsoever and then starts scolding me...
3) She assumes I'm incapable of self-management and feels it is her duty to "guide my actions" by telling me to "stop sitting in front of the computer" and instead to "do chinese"
(wtf, that's not even grammatically correct. And even if it was, what, pray tell, am I supposed to do?)
4) She apparently delights in pointing out obvious flaws (of mine) that I myself am painfully aware of, instead of offering any constructive criticism or just shutting up.
5) My dad's idea of love is providing shelter, food, clothing, and education
6) My dad apparently thinks that everyone shares similar tastes as him regarding various things such as, most obviously, food
7) My parents believe that simply as my parents I do not deserve to be treated as an equal
I'm sure that if I tried hard enough I would be able to produce a longer list, but hopefully the rant is pretty much exhausted now. So, bad air out, good air in. Done. Apologies for the horrible centre alignment. I think it's CSS related and I can't work with CSS at all.
Self-pity can go to the dogs for all I care
Now that would make a great title for a song. A song written by a bunch of twenty-something year old men with adolescent hangovers performing for teenagers who protest their oppression, extol their depression, and resolutely fail to make an impression. (And that was far too tempting to let go. Pfft.)So this song would involve lyrics like "I'm shrouded in the shadows of my making, my only company the demons of my past" and "You can't see me, I'm just a ghost, you killed me so I'll haunt you".
Irony isn't it?
Depressed
Depressed teenager 2: "I'm an emo boy; I can't keep up my grades in school, I don't have any "real" friends, I can't see any point or focus in my life. Blah"
Depressed guy: "I'm 45, my wife and I barely speak because I get home from work at ten, my children are struggling in school and office politics is driving me nuts"
*-jx goes to ponder his point and the objective of his illustrations
I've realised something about many problems that we face. On every level, from the macro level to the micro level, from global affairs to personal relationships, we mess things up mostly through our own selfish decision making.
Which leads me to ask (myself included) the Black Eyed Peas' question, where is the love?
Take for example, poverty. Why do we have millions of people living under the poverty line in some places, subsisting on less than US$2 a day and not sure about their next meal and where they're going to rest their head for the night? Perhaps, just perhaps, because of government policy that emphasises economic growth and industrialisation, taxing the poor to lure multinational corporations? Perhaps because of increasing pressure from the chairmen of these MNCs and the burgeoning middle class?
And then, overpopulation and AIDs orphans in Africa. How many Africans have heard of birth control or family planning? Why? Again, a lack of effort in lending that hand to care. It leads one to wonder where the billions pledged during the G8 summit have really gone.
And of course, Mr. Gore's new gripe, climate change. American oil drilling in Alaska, coal power plants opening weekly to support Chinese manufacturing, need I say more?
Of course, all that has been written can easily be dismissed as unedited, unprofessional, unproven, unsupported, arguments, the nonsense regularly spouted by the New Media of the Internet. I do not purport to be an expert, I do not claim that all of my facts have been cross-referenced. What I do do is to state my opinion, regarding the problem and the cure. Although, there will always be some who would prefer the quick, easy, painless and plain better solution of nuking a few countries and occupying a few others.
Now then, let's zoom in. Society's longstanding problems include theft, overliberelism (read drugs, sex and rock n' roll), murder etc. What do these stem from? Greed, self-gratification and giving in to our coarser instincts. Let's give it a try and love someone the next time we steal a car or feign sleep in an mrt train seat.
People. Backbone of our nation, no man is an island, etc. Again, the next time we do something, let's think about it, and when we do, let's love someone. EDIT: Far too much I've done things I shouldn't have, stuck my nose where it dosen't belong, and paying hurts too much. Being a busybody or a meddler is something rather selfish isn't it?
So, call me naïve, clichéd, simple, stupid or hypocritical, but I'm writing what I think.
-Straight from the ass's mouth, unadulterated, unedited, and definately not thought through.
Which leads me to ask (myself included) the Black Eyed Peas' question, where is the love?
Take for example, poverty. Why do we have millions of people living under the poverty line in some places, subsisting on less than US$2 a day and not sure about their next meal and where they're going to rest their head for the night? Perhaps, just perhaps, because of government policy that emphasises economic growth and industrialisation, taxing the poor to lure multinational corporations? Perhaps because of increasing pressure from the chairmen of these MNCs and the burgeoning middle class?
And then, overpopulation and AIDs orphans in Africa. How many Africans have heard of birth control or family planning? Why? Again, a lack of effort in lending that hand to care. It leads one to wonder where the billions pledged during the G8 summit have really gone.
And of course, Mr. Gore's new gripe, climate change. American oil drilling in Alaska, coal power plants opening weekly to support Chinese manufacturing, need I say more?
Of course, all that has been written can easily be dismissed as unedited, unprofessional, unproven, unsupported, arguments, the nonsense regularly spouted by the New Media of the Internet. I do not purport to be an expert, I do not claim that all of my facts have been cross-referenced. What I do do is to state my opinion, regarding the problem and the cure. Although, there will always be some who would prefer the quick, easy, painless and plain better solution of nuking a few countries and occupying a few others.
Now then, let's zoom in. Society's longstanding problems include theft, overliberelism (read drugs, sex and rock n' roll), murder etc. What do these stem from? Greed, self-gratification and giving in to our coarser instincts. Let's give it a try and love someone the next time we steal a car or feign sleep in an mrt train seat.
People. Backbone of our nation, no man is an island, etc. Again, the next time we do something, let's think about it, and when we do, let's love someone. EDIT: Far too much I've done things I shouldn't have, stuck my nose where it dosen't belong, and paying hurts too much. Being a busybody or a meddler is something rather selfish isn't it?
So, call me naïve, clichéd, simple, stupid or hypocritical, but I'm writing what I think.
-Straight from the ass's mouth, unadulterated, unedited, and definately not thought through.
Long race of the ragged upon hell’s well-paved path
But sorry’s the hardest word to say.
It’s just too bad I can’t turn the clock.
So now I’m done, come what may,
I’ll sit here waiting for the dreaded knock.
Grievously wronged you. Yes I know.
Grossly hurt you. I cannot deny.
So I’ll take, all of your blows
Without resisting, not a try.
I will take well-earned abuse,
I will be beaten down by rage.
But there is one thing I will not lose,
I won’t let you put me in a cage.
Don’t forgive me, surely you shouldn’t,
Not till you hear me speak my part.
To take empty forgiveness. I couldn’t,
Till perchance quench your flaming darts.
I will take well-earned abuse,
I will be beaten down by rage.
But there is one thing I will not lose,
I won’t let you put me in a cage.
I’ll brace for your righteous anger,
I’ll try and ignore the hurting letters.
I fight ‘gainst imminent danger,
Of losing something that really matters.
I apologise. I’m on my knees.
Don’t forgive me just yet.
I won’t seek others to shelter me,
Because I hope the clouds clear yet.
I will take well-earned abuse,
I will be beaten down by rage.
But there is one thing I will not lose,
I won’t let you put me in a cage.
I won’t let us be driven apart
I can’t let it. Let it destroy this.
This episode on a foolish lark,
Erasing pipe-dreams of endless bliss.
So into the screaming tempest I face,
Enduring your acid tongue’s painful lashes.
Because in life’s long, long race
For precious friendship this soul thrashes.
I would resovle to stop blundering blindly in the bog of foolishness, but the lights are out and I step from quicksand to snake's fangs
But sorry’s the hardest word to say.
It’s just too bad I can’t turn the clock.
So now I’m done, come what may,
I’ll sit here waiting for the dreaded knock.
Grievously wronged you. Yes I know.
Grossly hurt you. I cannot deny.
So I’ll take, all of your blows
Without resisting, not a try.
I will take well-earned abuse,
I will be beaten down by rage.
But there is one thing I will not lose,
I won’t let you put me in a cage.
Don’t forgive me, surely you shouldn’t,
Not till you hear me speak my part.
To take empty forgiveness. I couldn’t,
Till perchance quench your flaming darts.
I will take well-earned abuse,
I will be beaten down by rage.
But there is one thing I will not lose,
I won’t let you put me in a cage.
I’ll brace for your righteous anger,
I’ll try and ignore the hurting letters.
I fight ‘gainst imminent danger,
Of losing something that really matters.
I apologise. I’m on my knees.
Don’t forgive me just yet.
I won’t seek others to shelter me,
Because I hope the clouds clear yet.
I will take well-earned abuse,
I will be beaten down by rage.
But there is one thing I will not lose,
I won’t let you put me in a cage.
I won’t let us be driven apart
I can’t let it. Let it destroy this.
This episode on a foolish lark,
Erasing pipe-dreams of endless bliss.
So into the screaming tempest I face,
Enduring your acid tongue’s painful lashes.
Because in life’s long, long race
For precious friendship this soul thrashes.
I would resovle to stop blundering blindly in the bog of foolishness, but the lights are out and I step from quicksand to snake's fangs
For, at least, some members of 3F, today's highlight (rather, event of the day) would likely be Doreen Ang and a chance to bitch about her. So she may be unreasonable, or unkind, but I'm hoping I won't hold anything against her for trying to do her job, so I'm not bitching.
Depression:
1) a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity
2) sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy
Well, then I guess I'm half depressed. I've been feeling inadequate already for a few days, and I'm guessing watching the Lit people put up their parodies today wasn't a good idea. I'm afraid I'll never achieve anything that's beyond insignificant, in any field whatsoever. I'm afraid I'm inadequate socially and aptitudally. Anyhow, still all the best to whoever is putting up performances tomorrow for EL week stuff.
Matthew 6: 25-34 says
"do not worry about your life...seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
6:19-24 says also that we should store up treasures in heaven
Yes, the Bible says do not worry, God will provide. It says that treasures on earth do not matter. Yet I still envy and covet, I desire prizes and accomplishments. I'm afraid I'll never account for anything, and I really really want to. So I struggle with inadequacy and I struggle with becoming fully dependent on God's Word and providence. Smileys were meant to be used to express emotion when the internet was first created; I hope this one dosen't succumb to to modern trend of overusage and meaninglessness. =(
Depression:
1) a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity
2) sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy
Well, then I guess I'm half depressed. I've been feeling inadequate already for a few days, and I'm guessing watching the Lit people put up their parodies today wasn't a good idea. I'm afraid I'll never achieve anything that's beyond insignificant, in any field whatsoever. I'm afraid I'm inadequate socially and aptitudally. Anyhow, still all the best to whoever is putting up performances tomorrow for EL week stuff.
Matthew 6: 25-34 says
"do not worry about your life...seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
6:19-24 says also that we should store up treasures in heaven
Yes, the Bible says do not worry, God will provide. It says that treasures on earth do not matter. Yet I still envy and covet, I desire prizes and accomplishments. I'm afraid I'll never account for anything, and I really really want to. So I struggle with inadequacy and I struggle with becoming fully dependent on God's Word and providence. Smileys were meant to be used to express emotion when the internet was first created; I hope this one dosen't succumb to to modern trend of overusage and meaninglessness. =(
Day of unhurried rushing and a bull**** "english reflection"
First post of non-poetry, although it still contatins "creative" writing"
Went to school, screwed up a few questions for chem CCT, take APR and find my GPA is 3.16. Pah. I'm going to pull it to above 3.4 minimum by term 1 next year. And hopefully improve after EOYs. After chem, go listen to George Yeo and realise I always had a wrong impression and that he's my MP. Waste more time in english and math, although I have a poem written in english that's almost done. After DMP, go yishun, train for an hour due to miscommunication and changes of plan end up going home for about an hour before going for prater meeting. Come back from prayer meeting and write "english reflections for social advocacy project in and expository manner" Which lands me right where I am now. And now, I shall show you the complete bull**** I churned up in half an hour, which is surprsingly good.
Pardon the fact that this post take up and enormous amount of space. Someone teach me to like, make a way to puts lots of text in post but hide it to save space or something. And now, the "creative" writing.
What does being part of a community mean to you?
A community can refer to any group of people, related in different manners. A community can be linked by each individual member’s common interests, common goals, common situations and circumstance, or simply common area of residence. Through a project of social advocacy, we have petitioned and worked for the benefit of our community of students.
This community of students may have different backgrounds or interests, but what unites this community is that we are all students facing the same scheme of grading for our academic and non-academic performance in school. Through this project, we have sought to identify a pertinent issue or problem and at the very least bring it to light to relevant authorities in a bid to address it.
As a member of a community, one must share something in common. In this student community, I share the common circumstance of being a student. As a student I face issues such as schoolwork, Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs), social pressures and the like. As a member of the community, I face these issues, and know that my peers, if they do not help me, are at least facing the same stresses and are able to empathise. One thing that being a member of a community means to me then is that the community can empathise with the needs of its members and may be able to offer help.
A second aspect of being a member of a community is that of shared experiences. As a member of this student community, whose members I know share similar difficulties, I rest in the fact that a community can depend on its constituents. For example, if members in a community were faced with a common problem, such as excessive pressures in academic demands from the school authorities, as a community we will be able to benefit from collective bargaining. However, a community of shard experiences is not purely pragmatic, serving the purpose of benefiting from working together, be it in the form of a students’ union or protest. A community that shares experiences, especially experiences that shape a person’s character during his formative years, or one that involves experiences with strong emotional ties will cause it’s members to develop an intangible and bond, of friendship through shared hardship especially.
Long lasting emotional ties and friendship reinforced by shared hardship are perhaps the stuff of romantics and the dreams of some educators, but they are in fact very real. Besides deep and truly meaningful relationships forged with members of a community, the community also provides a means of interaction and a nexus of discussion. A community can be defined as a group of people gathered or linked to each other through a common interest. Although this is not the case for the student community as a whole, there are smaller parts of this community that are linked through common interest. To me, entry into a community is a gateway into social intercourse with persons one may not have previously interacted with, and thus also the birthplace of deeper, closer, relationships. A community gives one an opportunity to meet new people in a comfortable, interesting and stimulating backdrop of both social and informative (on any interesting topic one might have in common) discourse.
A community is many things to me, but at its simplest a community is still a group of people with things in common. These things in common are what defines and make unique any community. Therefore, what distinguishes a community is what defines it, and what defines it distinguishes it. A community is therefore a setting of interaction between its members and a vehicle of conversation between multiple parties, within the community itself or with other external communities.
First post of non-poetry, although it still contatins "creative" writing"
Went to school, screwed up a few questions for chem CCT, take APR and find my GPA is 3.16. Pah. I'm going to pull it to above 3.4 minimum by term 1 next year. And hopefully improve after EOYs. After chem, go listen to George Yeo and realise I always had a wrong impression and that he's my MP. Waste more time in english and math, although I have a poem written in english that's almost done. After DMP, go yishun, train for an hour due to miscommunication and changes of plan end up going home for about an hour before going for prater meeting. Come back from prayer meeting and write "english reflections for social advocacy project in and expository manner" Which lands me right where I am now. And now, I shall show you the complete bull**** I churned up in half an hour, which is surprsingly good.
Pardon the fact that this post take up and enormous amount of space. Someone teach me to like, make a way to puts lots of text in post but hide it to save space or something. And now, the "creative" writing.
What does being part of a community mean to you?
A community can refer to any group of people, related in different manners. A community can be linked by each individual member’s common interests, common goals, common situations and circumstance, or simply common area of residence. Through a project of social advocacy, we have petitioned and worked for the benefit of our community of students.
This community of students may have different backgrounds or interests, but what unites this community is that we are all students facing the same scheme of grading for our academic and non-academic performance in school. Through this project, we have sought to identify a pertinent issue or problem and at the very least bring it to light to relevant authorities in a bid to address it.
As a member of a community, one must share something in common. In this student community, I share the common circumstance of being a student. As a student I face issues such as schoolwork, Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs), social pressures and the like. As a member of the community, I face these issues, and know that my peers, if they do not help me, are at least facing the same stresses and are able to empathise. One thing that being a member of a community means to me then is that the community can empathise with the needs of its members and may be able to offer help.
A second aspect of being a member of a community is that of shared experiences. As a member of this student community, whose members I know share similar difficulties, I rest in the fact that a community can depend on its constituents. For example, if members in a community were faced with a common problem, such as excessive pressures in academic demands from the school authorities, as a community we will be able to benefit from collective bargaining. However, a community of shard experiences is not purely pragmatic, serving the purpose of benefiting from working together, be it in the form of a students’ union or protest. A community that shares experiences, especially experiences that shape a person’s character during his formative years, or one that involves experiences with strong emotional ties will cause it’s members to develop an intangible and bond, of friendship through shared hardship especially.
Long lasting emotional ties and friendship reinforced by shared hardship are perhaps the stuff of romantics and the dreams of some educators, but they are in fact very real. Besides deep and truly meaningful relationships forged with members of a community, the community also provides a means of interaction and a nexus of discussion. A community can be defined as a group of people gathered or linked to each other through a common interest. Although this is not the case for the student community as a whole, there are smaller parts of this community that are linked through common interest. To me, entry into a community is a gateway into social intercourse with persons one may not have previously interacted with, and thus also the birthplace of deeper, closer, relationships. A community gives one an opportunity to meet new people in a comfortable, interesting and stimulating backdrop of both social and informative (on any interesting topic one might have in common) discourse.
A community is many things to me, but at its simplest a community is still a group of people with things in common. These things in common are what defines and make unique any community. Therefore, what distinguishes a community is what defines it, and what defines it distinguishes it. A community is therefore a setting of interaction between its members and a vehicle of conversation between multiple parties, within the community itself or with other external communities.
| You Should Be A Poet |
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| You Are 16% Slacker |
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Wow, I can't believe this, haha =)
The second one, that is. I'm bored =(
Slavedriver
And in the distance as the sunlight fades
the earth spun more once around.
To a close draws this day I’ve made
gutted, whimpering, without a sound.
Sunlight fades, twilight dawns
no longer then, to tarry here.
Why do I feel like someone’s pawn
used, abused, a slave mean and mere
I cry out in desperation;
“rescue me” I implore.
In fervent need of liberation
from myself the master I deplore.
Well well. It has a rhyme scheme.
And in the distance as the sunlight fades
the earth spun more once around.
To a close draws this day I’ve made
gutted, whimpering, without a sound.
Sunlight fades, twilight dawns
no longer then, to tarry here.
Why do I feel like someone’s pawn
used, abused, a slave mean and mere
I cry out in desperation;
“rescue me” I implore.
In fervent need of liberation
from myself the master I deplore.
Well well. It has a rhyme scheme.
(Untitled)
Majestic,
Untamed,
the great beast sleeps.
The peak of life,
beauty embodied.
Ageless eons untouched,
ever-changing, unblemished,
till we came.
We took her for food and oil,
razed her forests to the ground
and stood proud.
Were we to know
our great folly
till she struck back?
Forgive us
Mother Earth
Well, I can't remember exactly when this was written, but it was sometime in July. Succinct?
Majestic,
Untamed,
the great beast sleeps.
The peak of life,
beauty embodied.
Ageless eons untouched,
ever-changing, unblemished,
till we came.
We took her for food and oil,
razed her forests to the ground
and stood proud.
Were we to know
our great folly
till she struck back?
Forgive us
Mother Earth
Well, I can't remember exactly when this was written, but it was sometime in July. Succinct?
One last time and I’m off the stuff for good
And I love you,
love you,
naught but love you
(could I help my self)
I’m broken inside
shot through the soul
split down the middle
(leaking like a sieve)
Tick tock, hatchet and lock
the clock strikes midnight
and I’m too late
(was I ever not)
With startling precision I land,
fists upon my chest.
Tarzan, King of apes;
(was I ever any more)
So I guess it’s goodbye
farewell
will we meet again?
(I’ll never stand chance)
And the headlines will scream
teenager jumps
from his ten floor block
(and left a bloody mess too)
Disclaimer: This and the previous few posts were the pathetic yelping of a stray, lovelorn, little puppy I found bawling it's heart, (and probaly soon it's soul) out, abandoned and abused by the ravages of the world upon that strong and loyal, yet simulteneously soft and brittle organ we call the heart.
PS: and the next few are likely going to be equally out of character.
And I love you,
love you,
naught but love you
(could I help my self)
I’m broken inside
shot through the soul
split down the middle
(leaking like a sieve)
Tick tock, hatchet and lock
the clock strikes midnight
and I’m too late
(was I ever not)
With startling precision I land,
fists upon my chest.
Tarzan, King of apes;
(was I ever any more)
So I guess it’s goodbye
farewell
will we meet again?
(I’ll never stand chance)
And the headlines will scream
teenager jumps
from his ten floor block
(and left a bloody mess too)
Disclaimer: This and the previous few posts were the pathetic yelping of a stray, lovelorn, little puppy I found bawling it's heart, (and probaly soon it's soul) out, abandoned and abused by the ravages of the world upon that strong and loyal, yet simulteneously soft and brittle organ we call the heart.
PS: and the next few are likely going to be equally out of character.
Unconditional vs. Unrequited
Dearest: _______________If you are reading this now, I am either dead, or befallen of tragic mishap. This letter, along with the accompanying letters, contain words I have written and truly meant, despite the inadequacy of words in this context.. Given that I will not see you again on this mortal coil, I feel free now to tell you the secret I have always hidden from you. This poem is one of the many contained in these letters, that I have written for or to you, but never had the courage to mail. I implore you to read them now, and come yo your own conclusion.
Love,
_____________
I beg thee, listen to my tale.
I implore you, hear me sing my sorrow.
This story told ne’er-ending
of love once had and lost.
Do you know I nurse a broken heart,
do you know the numbered stitches to mend?
Thou art ignorantly cruel,
yet could I hate you for innocence?
My heart lies in sundered ruins,
oh, how I wish it were stone!
Yet, be it flesh, bone or stone,
it would still shed its tears of sorrow.
Sorrow spun from your comely complexion,
Sorrow shed, at the sound of your whispered breath.
Sorrow sprung forth at your slightest mention,
of love spurned by your kindly face.
Do you know my deepset frustration,
do you know my impotent rage?
I would sail the seas seeking treasure,
yet fumble for my heart’s desire.
When you’re sad, I hide away and weep
When you smile, my heart leaps
When you frown, I wring my hands and
When you celebrate, my happiness is complete
You have proffered the hand of friendship,
you have offered your deal of trust,
and for these to you I thank.
Yet what man would sign
a merest contract,
written by his unrequited love?
You are my every moment’s sunbeam,
yet in you my sorrow is complete.
This is the story of wretched I,
of fate’s cruelly dealt hand.
Okay, comments please, haha. I contemplated breaking the fourth wall and speaking to the reader in the final verse, but decided that sort of ruins the suspension of belief and the persuasiveness. I don't really know how it would sound out loud, but I tried and realised most of my poetry is requires a low, not quite coarse, not exactly breathy either, kind of voice. Sort of a voice that would match the atmosphere of a small club with not more than 20 patrons and soft jazz music in the background.
Part two.
Unnamed Obsession
Just the other night I woke in a sweat,
dreaming of you and your nameless beauty.
As I bolted upright in bed, my heart ached
with disappointment and regret.
Who are you nameless memory?
I must, I will, seek you out.
You are my nameless obsession,
but soon you will be found. You must!
You have haunted my waking moments,
you are the quickly darting shadow,
you tease me with unattainable beauty,
you torment me with unquenchable desire.
You have stalked me in the land of dreams,
too often your vision hath I seen.
In my sleep you approach,
silent as the night.
Oh nameless singing siren, hide from me no more!
I have no idea how that sounds when read. Actually, I don't think it's exceptional (with regards to my own very very low standards), but I like the concept. Part three isn't completely written yet, so there will be no definite date for it's *ahem* publication. And this was a day late, so apologies (which unfortunately don't sound very sincere eh?)
Unnamed Obsession
Just the other night I woke in a sweat,
dreaming of you and your nameless beauty.
As I bolted upright in bed, my heart ached
with disappointment and regret.
Who are you nameless memory?
I must, I will, seek you out.
You are my nameless obsession,
but soon you will be found. You must!
You have haunted my waking moments,
you are the quickly darting shadow,
you tease me with unattainable beauty,
you torment me with unquenchable desire.
You have stalked me in the land of dreams,
too often your vision hath I seen.
In my sleep you approach,
silent as the night.
Oh nameless singing siren, hide from me no more!
I have no idea how that sounds when read. Actually, I don't think it's exceptional (with regards to my own very very low standards), but I like the concept. Part three isn't completely written yet, so there will be no definite date for it's *ahem* publication. And this was a day late, so apologies (which unfortunately don't sound very sincere eh?)
The girl I saw
Just a day, just a day, just a day before,
I caught a glimpse, caught a glimpse, caught a glimpse of you.
You stood there, hidden in the crowd
You gazed up, right into the clouds.
My head, it turned, as I spied,
your splendorous locks buoyed in the wind.
And as I stared, I could not lie
My heart was aflame, my mind awash
You turned again, and I saw your smile,
and in it saw your beautiful vision
I could not stop to think and mull,
You are now my only mission
Alas, Alas, Alas, twas’ not to be
as you disappeared before my eyes.
And now my heart’s only cry,
Don’t go, don’t go, please don’t go
Well, this is supposed to be part 1 in a "mini-series" (if you'll allow me), and in fact part 2 is done, but I'm too lazy to type it out now. So, it'll be on either tonight, tomorrow, or latest the day after. This one sounds horrible if you try and read it, but not too bad if it's sung, or at least read in a (sort of) singsong fashion, if you catch my drift. If not, please, try and enjoy anyway.
Just a day, just a day, just a day before,
I caught a glimpse, caught a glimpse, caught a glimpse of you.
You stood there, hidden in the crowd
You gazed up, right into the clouds.
My head, it turned, as I spied,
your splendorous locks buoyed in the wind.
And as I stared, I could not lie
My heart was aflame, my mind awash
You turned again, and I saw your smile,
and in it saw your beautiful vision
I could not stop to think and mull,
You are now my only mission
Alas, Alas, Alas, twas’ not to be
as you disappeared before my eyes.
And now my heart’s only cry,
Don’t go, don’t go, please don’t go
Well, this is supposed to be part 1 in a "mini-series" (if you'll allow me), and in fact part 2 is done, but I'm too lazy to type it out now. So, it'll be on either tonight, tomorrow, or latest the day after. This one sounds horrible if you try and read it, but not too bad if it's sung, or at least read in a (sort of) singsong fashion, if you catch my drift. If not, please, try and enjoy anyway.
Back
Well, since this blog was banned for a week as it appeared to Blogger's filters that is was a "spam blog" (anyone care to enlighten me?), it was preety much dead. And now I'm lazy to got get my notebook and upload stuff, besides, nothing much to show for :( Been thinking about some things that I need to work on or change in my life, although nobody is ever going to read this anyway, so maybe. A man is enititled to his dreams (of any, let alone regular, readers, isn't he?)
A cry of a desperate heart
I have made a pact,
I have made a vow,
I have made a deal,
I have made a promise,
Pact, deal, vow, promise,
what are these but simple agreements?
Standards, by-laws, rules and statute,
nothing more than instructions to follow.
Failure, then, is no doubt punishable,
and many times have I failed
yet punishment I have escaped,
my debt I owe to the Gracious One.
He is my God,
His grace and mercy abound.
His banner over me is Love,
He has delivered me from my evil,
He has pardoned me my sin
Lord, unworthy as I am
You have come for me.
Even as I do despicable things,
You seek to draw me close.
Draw me close, remake and clean me,
Oh, teach me to walk Lord!
I make again my vow,
to You I renew my promise,
Lord, help me to walk your path!
I have made a pact,
I have made a vow,
I have made a deal,
I have made a promise,
Pact, deal, vow, promise,
what are these but simple agreements?
Standards, by-laws, rules and statute,
nothing more than instructions to follow.
Failure, then, is no doubt punishable,
and many times have I failed
yet punishment I have escaped,
my debt I owe to the Gracious One.
He is my God,
His grace and mercy abound.
His banner over me is Love,
He has delivered me from my evil,
He has pardoned me my sin
Lord, unworthy as I am
You have come for me.
Even as I do despicable things,
You seek to draw me close.
Draw me close, remake and clean me,
Oh, teach me to walk Lord!
I make again my vow,
to You I renew my promise,
Lord, help me to walk your path!
A challenge issued! Will you take this burden?
So often, in fact, if not all the time, we hide behing masks, afraid to show even the slightest, smallest fragment of our true selves. Our deepest darkest secrets, our dirty laundry, our secret vices, our personal pleasures, our individual aspirations and the like, we keep hidden beneath a facade, a facade of calm composure, of righteous anger, of false-self pity, of acted emotions, a mask so comfortable it has nearly become our skin. SO, dear reader, I challenge you today to take off this skin, strip off this facade, hurl aside this mask; embrace what you are, fear not the judgement of men, pursue your unique identity, for what good is it to live a pleasent life, a comfortable life, a good life, even a fantastic life, when it is not your own?
Comments please!! And title suggestions too, haha =)
Choices, choices, choices to be made
Swimming in a sea of fish and searching for decision.
Which one to chase, which one to bait,
which one to follow after hard?
From the west the siren sings,
From the east the whirlpool draws,
From the north treasure beckons,
from the south wafts the smell of home.
Choices, choices, choices all around
Things to do, things to day, things for which to rush.
“hurry now, we haven’t got all day,”
Look up, look sharp, million to be made!
“Do this,” “no that”, the clamour in my head,
from the angel upon shoulder and devil on the other.
Laid before my mind’s eye a score of figures,
Conscience, wisdom, logic compassion, resplendent in allure.
I see before my treasure of every sort;
Bread for the body, food for the mind,
Nourishment of the soul, sustenance of the spirit.
Treasure, treasures, if I could but possess you all!
Decide, decide, weigh and judge,
choose your path, waver not,
for the indecisive fool soon finds
he has lost every path.
Like I whose choice was to pause,
justly rewarded with the dust of worn trails upon the horizon.
Choices, choices, choices to be made
Swimming in a sea of fish and searching for decision.
Which one to chase, which one to bait,
which one to follow after hard?
From the west the siren sings,
From the east the whirlpool draws,
From the north treasure beckons,
from the south wafts the smell of home.
Choices, choices, choices all around
Things to do, things to day, things for which to rush.
“hurry now, we haven’t got all day,”
Look up, look sharp, million to be made!
“Do this,” “no that”, the clamour in my head,
from the angel upon shoulder and devil on the other.
Laid before my mind’s eye a score of figures,
Conscience, wisdom, logic compassion, resplendent in allure.
I see before my treasure of every sort;
Bread for the body, food for the mind,
Nourishment of the soul, sustenance of the spirit.
Treasure, treasures, if I could but possess you all!
Decide, decide, weigh and judge,
choose your path, waver not,
for the indecisive fool soon finds
he has lost every path.
Like I whose choice was to pause,
justly rewarded with the dust of worn trails upon the horizon.
Help Please
Graah, cbox not working. Does anyone want to help me make a tagboard work, or even better make me a skin ^_^. meanwhile, use comment please. On a completely unrelated note, Amsterdam by Ian McEwan is fantastic book. Much better than Paddy Clarka Ha Ha Ha anyway. Anyway, a couple of funny pieces, and then I'm of to sleep.An ode to a mathematician
You are the intersection of beauty and grace,
you are my universal set.
My adoration is a quadratic function,
my love increases exponentially.
You are more beautiful then nature herself,
your beauty is greater than the golden ratio.
My superlatives as pi,
my praise is an infinite sequence.
Your radiance is a division by zero,
it is indefinable.
We are angles in a corner,
complementary to each other,
You are sine square theta,
And I am cosine square theta,
Together we are one.
An ode to your astronomer
You are my Venus,
the first light in my sky.
You are the moon of my sky,
the brightest object that I can see.
You are Polaris,
north star guiding my every stand.
You are Sirius,
your light endures through the deepest night.
You are a supernova,
your glory outshines everything else.
You are a black hole,
your attraction is irresistible.
You are Sol,
the Sun with without I cannot live.
The view from my window
First post, haha. Hopefully this blog won't die, haha. Started 06/06/2007, finished 19/06/2007Look out the window, what do you see
A lush spreading expanse,
of greenery free to roam.
Distant stormclouds darkening
over a monkey in his jungle home.
Look out the window, what do you see
A remote field
dotted with traces of Man.
Workers toiling in the sun,
as cattle graze upon the green grass.
Look out the window, what do you see
An empty landscape
left alone to rest.
A boy running beside his kite,
a dog frolicing by his side.
Look out the window, what do you see
A series of houses
built in haphazard rows.
A mother calling to her children,
smoke coiling from the baker's chimney.
Look out the window, what do you see
strangers bearing gifts,
with promises of beautiful new gifts.
Bulldozers and behemoths
rising towers of steel.
Look out the window, what do you see
A pool of yellow light
falling upon heaps of trash.
The moon shining weakly,
beside glowing skyscrapers and planes.
Look out the window, what do you see
Smoke billowing from the window,
a city engulfed in terror.
The shadow of a skeletal starving cat
hidden behind blood-splattered walls.
Look out the window, what do you see
The day's first snow
falling upon grey, hulking shells.
Man and beast alike,
wandering within mouldering ruins.
Look out the window, what do you see
The ravages of nature and spoils of time,
their work well wrought.
The glaciers come south again,
reflecting the sun's warmthless glare.
Look out the window, what do you see
Permanence fading away,
bringing a strange new vista.
Of the dry crinkling winds
drifting across the endless desert.
Look out the window, what do you see
tell me if this thing before you can be undone