A quiet time is often a time when people embark on the process of self-reflection and self-evaluation by scrutinising the actions made or decisions to be made.
For children who misbehave, this self-reflection and self-evaluation is often termed as a time-out where they are isolated from the rest and made to either sit or stand in one corner of a room and to think about his or her actions. This time-out process allows the child to understand, hopefully, why he or she has been punished and to more importantly, learn from their mistakes.
Yet, while the intention of a time-out is a move away from harsh punishment to get the message across, children may in some instances develop an inferiority complex as they are often deemed as a naughty and difficult child to handle. The expression of such a complex would be a subtle dislike of the child's siblings or other children who are deemed as more well-behaved.
The balance in approach to a time-out should be one where such a method is employed only after a verbal warning is first given to the child yet the child still continues to misbehave. In addition, the parent or the person punishing the child should also explain to the child why his or her actions are deemed as naughty. Once the child has realised his or her mistakes, the child should be made to apologise to his siblings or friends for his actions. The parent should credit the child for behaving like a 'big boy' or a 'big girl' to soothening and ease the child's mood.
We have heard about how people tend to focus on the one small miniscule black dot on a sheet of white paper. Likewise, parents tend to focus on their children's bad behaviour and lack of when compared to others. Often times, such a comparison while its intention is purely for motivational sake and to instill a sense of competitiveness in the child, yet by focusing only on the child's black dot would also, in a long run, be discouraging to the child. Parents should credit and complement their children for their good behaviour when they are small to their achievements when they get older. This approach would provide a more holistic balance in dealing with how much and how little should you punish or condone your child's actions.
Perhaps I need to scrutinise my brain cells in greater depth. It's not that I did not study, I did; I still failed my final theory test the second time. Stumped.
I feel kind of disgruntled with myself for choosing some wrong choices but looks like I need to wait till December to take the final theory for the third time. [Note to myself: I must pass my final theory test!]
I have some questions which I hope some people can help me answer them though.
1. The steering wheel controls the front wheels, rear wheels or all four wheels?
2. Can I cross the centre continuous white line on a two-laned dual carriage-way?
3. If I am driving an unfamiliar vehicle, do I test the braking system of the vehicle or do I verify the amount of steering I require to make a turn?
4. If I am approaching a sharp bend at night, but I do not want to dazzle on coming traffic, do I still use my high beam or do I dip my headlights?
5. How far a distance should you keep away from a cyclist who is cycling along the flow of traffic? 0.5m, 0.75m or 1.0m?
Oh well, in my desperate attempt to pass my final theory, I have applied to try the theory trial test to give me some new-found confidence. Otherwise, at the rate I am going, I think I may hit a new record of the number of tries required to pass the final theory test. I think I will go for a few of such trial tests prior to my final theory test which I really hope will be my final theory test.
Somehow, I do not wish my final theory test to becoming another one of my range attempts.
I think it won't be!
Why can't we see things the way we used to see them?
Is knowing too much really an anathema?
The proposed changes to the penal code to include the prosecution of Singaporeans who travel overseas to solicit for sex with young children or minors is timely and in particular, well-received by numerous non-profit governmental organisations such as Partnership in Health and Humanity Foundation who are fighting against child-sex tourism.
In a media report by Channel News Asia, it states that the proposed changes to the penal code have affected sex-tourism in Batam. Many businesses there have since seen a drop in about 50% of its business.
The commercial sexual exploitation of children has devastating consequences for these minors, which may include long-lasting physical and psychological trauma, disease (including HIV/AIDS), drug addiction, unwanted pregnancy, malnutrition, social ostracism, and possibly death. Many of these exploited children are highly sought after by their clients primarily because of a warped perception that in prostitution, age is correlated to the chances of contracting HIV/AIDS; it seems that the younger the child is the demand for that child is even greater. Yet, the fact still remains that contracting HIV/AIDS transcends across a person’s age.
Presently, Singaporeans who have sex with minors in other countries cannot be prosecuted in Singapore, as our courts do not have jurisdiction over them. In light of this, Ms Indranee Rajah asked the Government to stop our nationals from preying on minors in other countries by denying them a safe haven through enacting legislation with an extra-territorial effect.
The idea of an extra-territorial jurisdiction is challenging with respect to investigation and prosecution of cases involving offences committed by Singaporeans in other countries. Some of these challenges include language barriers and different local conditions thus making it difficult to trace and interview foreign witnesses and gather evidence. Therefore, an extra-territorial jurisdiction has to be a collaborative one and by itself is definitely no panacea.
In all aspects of morality, participating in such an execrable act is showing nothing but a complete absence of the intrinsic humane. Many hope that with this inclusion, the Government can send a strong signal to Singaporeans who are sexually exploiting minors overseas that such an act is abhorrent in nature and would therefore deter them from doing so.
GEMS, which stands for 'Go the Extra Mile Service', is a national movement to improve the service level in Singapore. In February 2006, four million cards were distributed throughout Singapore to encourage customers to show their appreciation for good service.
In my opinion, customer service is a two-way process. Although the customer is always right, well at least that's what most people say, yet I have always believed that it is also the customer that will ultimately be the determining factor in whether the service rendered was good or bad.
I believe that in the service industry in Singapore, one of the reasons why our service standard is still ranked lowly on World Service Standards chart (Singapore is now ranked 26, a drop from 17 in the year 2005) is primarily because the service industry is not given the appropriate emphasis. The launch of GEMS is to encourage better service standards however the perception of the service industry being a platform for many Singaporeans to seek temporary employment is still very much a prevalent perception. Their argument is because a job in the service industry is more of a job where a student would find during his holidays or a person who wishes to earn some money before finding a 'real' job, hence the disparaging service standards in Singapore.
Of course, there are numerous arguments both for and against about the idea of seeking temporary employment and am aware of these arguments as well. In fact, I will be in time, seeking for a temporary employment before going for my studies. However, one of the questions we could ask ourselves when we seek a temporary employment is whether are we taking an ownership in our job albeit temporary. If so, how does it affect our performance and more so our attitude towards our employment.
I believe that in Singapore, our service standards still need a little more work at. I won't gripe about the poor service that I have experienced, because as much as I have experienced poor service, I have also experienced good service too. What I will say rather is in the service industry it is more about finding your own personalised touch with the customers and be flexible in your approach towards handling customers. It sounds easy writing it all down in words but perhaps, that is also how people develop inter-personal relationship skills. For one, the service industry centres on such a skill.
If Giodano can be recognised for its quality service standards, then perhaps it serves as an encouragement to the people in the service industry that rendering good service in Singapore is achievable and possible however much said by the people from the service industry about Singaporeans being a fussy lot.
The GST will in time be raised to 7% as announced by our PM recently in parliament. While many are speculating when this increase will take into effect, many more others are also concerned about the depth of government subsidies and its extent. However, all these questions and worries will be dealt with come February 2007.
In response to this increase in the GST, a pertinent issue of a welfare state was raised in parliament and much heavily debated on. For one, the PAP government is strongly against the idea of establishing a welfare state support system in Singapore for fear of encouraging a parasitic dependency on the government. Yet, it comes across as a paradox that it is also this same government that is continually dishing out heaps of financial support aid to the lower-income groups regardless of the state Singapore's economic situation or adjustments in policy. If one were to scrutinise policy making in Singapore, it is notably evident that in almost every policy that is introduced, our government has always taken a keen emphasis and interest in the lower-income group. If this interest and emphasis is, in their definition, a form of cushioning support rather than that of a sustained support, then perhaps the government could explain why these support aids are never temporal but definitive in nature.
I am against the idea of a welfare state support system primarily because it encourages the wrong attitude of taking ownership of ones own needs. I am also not against the support given by the government to lower-income groups. In fact, I strongly believe that the government should play an even more significant role in helping the lower-income groups. However, my point of contention is the amount of support and idea of such a support. In my opinion, the government should offer credible and adequate financial support aids to these lower-income groups with the objective of helping them move towards a level of self-sufficiency. This progressive approach towards the induction of such financial support schemes will not only squelch the blurred lines of welfare support this government undertakes but more so give these lower-income groups an opportunity to work towards a goal and objective to lead a life that is, in their own opinion, a better one.
The idea of self-sufficiency is very much encouraged in Singapore. Being self-sufficient means that ones needs can be addressed where minimal or if not no form of support should be offered to them. People from the middle-income groups are neither rich nor poor; they are what they describe as a 'sandwiched' income group. The middle-income group is often not at the receiving end of financial support aid simply because they are perceived to be self-sufficient. However, in my own opinion, if this government were to speak of equality of the people then perhaps the government's definition of 'who to help' should be re-considered. As much as the middle-income group and higher-income group will require minimal or if not no form of financial support, yet a showing of such a support by the government would be a clear indication that this government functions to address the immediate needs and the absolute interests of all people of Singapore. It is democracy in its finest, in my opinion.
The GST will be increased very soon. As pragmatic people of Singapore, I would not be surprise if market and consumer spending goes up higher before the 5% makes way for the 7%. Perhaps this is one microscopic form of appreciation of this imminent 7%, while we all sit back and wait till February 2007 to fully appreciate this 7% in a more macroscopic way.
I need some time to be alone.
At least, to find myself again.
In silence, people find themselves through a series of rhetorical questions that they immerse themselves in by a process of searching ones soul. Sometimes, these questions will help them understand the reasons being why things have developed to such a circumstance; sometimes these questions can also help in something psychologists would like to refer to as the 'healing process'.
Silence, as it were awkward, is different from the silence here. It is an inner peace that one sought after to keep things in equilibrium and more so for your own state of mental and even spiritual equilibrium.
In moments of silence, nostalgic memories, both happy and sad, are memories that evoke laughter, sorrow and perhaps even anger. Yet, sorrow seems to overflow each time. Some would call this silence, new-found, because of the difference in experience of this silence.
Eight months
We drifted apart, however subtle it was
Eight months (and four days later)
Our journey ceased.
Pre-school education is what I would consider as the first step in formalising a child's education. It gives the child a sense of appreciation of a relatively structured programme which incorporates both work and play and more so a sense of understanding on inter-social relationship skills. This idea of incorporating free play in children to adapt the environment to allow the child to fulfill his greatest potential stems from the teachings of Maria Montessori in her philosophy towards pre-school education.
Pre-school education should go beyond the learning of ABCs and 123s. Neither should it also be under-emphasised when compared with Primary education. In fact, pre-school education is so called pre-school is primarily because pre-school education serves as a prelude to the formal primary education that a child will undertake subsequently after pre-school. Therefore, the idea that pre-school education is of less or more importance than the primary education is of no question to even begin with.
Lower-income families are given subsidies for their children to attend pre-school education at the ubiquitous PAP kindergartens which, in my own opinion, does not provide a comprehensive pre-school education when compared to other privately-run kindergartens which adopts the philosophy of Maria Montessori because of its rigid learning structure and over-emphasised on rote-learning. This difference in teaching is primarily because of first, an undefined pre-school education syllabus, and second, a lack of funding by the government to fine-tune the pre-school education system and third, the government support to address the issue of the calibre of pre-school teachers.
When we look at the available pre-schools in Singapore, we can only lament on the somewhat abysmal programmes that many kindergartens provide primarily because of the absence of a syllabus for pre-school education. Often times, kindergartens run their own programmes and make adjustments to them based on the management and teachers' own personal understanding of the primary one or even primary two syllabus that mainstream schools have to adopt. This understanding varies with each kindergarten and thus may eventually or perhaps is currently producing children who have a different depth in their foundation in Language and Mathematics. This will therefore translate to difficulty in the teaching of primary one and two pupils because of such a wide spectrum of foundation in the Language and Mathematics. It is therefore no surprise, that primary schools these days will want to conduct a placement test prior to class allocation for would-be primary one pupils and will rather band the pupils according to either their results or their weak subjects to be able to cater for them a more compatible and robust education programme that addresses their weak areas and allows them to be stretched to their maximum.
The role of kindergartens today is somewhat different from before. Then, kindergartens were not emphasised in our local context primarily because then parents failed to recognise the importance of a pre-school education and more so there was a general lack of emphasis on a pre-school education in the context of our society. The idea of sending children to kindergartens then was more of a child-care centre which allowed parents to have their children taken care of while parents go to work. However, in today's context, kindergartens do more than just becoming a child-care centre. Kindergartens are seen by parents as a competitive tool to allow their children to have an early head-start in formal education. It is therefore because of this competition that perhaps a re-look at the structure of pre-school is long overdue.
What makes a programme successful is the receptivity towards the programme by the audience. In pre-school, the entertainer is the teacher while the audience are the pre-schoolers. In order to make the pre-school programme that the kindergarten adopts a success, the teachers hired have to first be adept in the programme and second, have the necessary pre-requisites to handle the children of that age.
Pre-school, in my definition, should be one that encourages the children to have the opportunity to explore, to be inquisitive, to be imaginative and to play. With the necessary allocation of funds by the government, I believe that pre-school education here in Singapore can be revamped and fine-tuned.
Few weeks ago, I had lunch with my secondary school teacher and she raised the issue of fund-raising in her school and the difficulties in explaining to her students why the school carries out a series of fund-raising projects. The bottomline was her students felt that the school was literally sucking the money out of each of them and in their opinion forcing them to donate generously for a good cause.
The Singapore government has set in placed a series of financial aid programmes to help the financially stretched people. At the same time, there are also numerous organisations which also run their own financial support programmes. One such example would be the 'Straits Times Pocket Money Fund'. Acknowleging that these funds are limited and yet are expected to be stretched to its maximum use, there will thus be people who will not be at the receiving end of one of the many financial support programmes available to them.
In a recent 'Get Real' episode, Diana Ser interviewed a mother who had to support both her ailing parents-in-law, at the same time send money back to her own family in Malaysia and pay for her son's medical expenses for a series of major operations with a salary of just under $1500. According to her, she could not qualify for any financial support because of first, her salary and second, the family's combined income as a whole. The focus of that particular episode was to highlight on the inflexibility of such financial programmes where people had to meet requirements in order to receive help. The message I gathered was what more can be done, perhaps by the Government, to help these people who are seriously in need but fail on requirements. A twig in criterion will not arrest the problem in its entirety, rather, a different approach and perspective should be set in place when dealing with such issues.
For one, I do not believe in a one-size-fit-all programme where all accumulated problems can be combed under one single umbrella. I believe in something more practical and immediate and this is something that perhaps people who wish or are currently providing financial assistance can consider.
I believe the problem my teacher faced is the result of the lack of adequate explanation to her students on the 'loopholes' of the current available financial assistance programmes, even with the one her school provides. I also believe that if her students have such violent objections against the idea of a 'generous donation', then perhaps the school could also tone down and be more selective on its fund-raising programmes be it for school or for external organisations, to avoid the problem of apathy towards compassion.
Compassion is a virtue; it is something that comes from within a person. It cannot be taught through books and definitely not through Civics and Moral Education. It is an upbringing and something that each of us will need to experience for ourselves. The question at hand is rather how this experience is translated to us.
Nobody is perfect; everyone has their flaws and I acknowledge mine and so shall work on it. However, before you start lambasting a person for his flaws and get personal with it, even more so by doodling on the person's personal space, perhaps you should acknowledge yours as well.
当一把刀刺在你的心的时候，你就要忍。
These were the words my chinese teacher told our class when I was in secondary four.
I must say that the words used to describe me are indeed cutting and disparaging. However, I think life has sufficient things for me to worry and think about and somethings are meant to be of primary importance, some of secondary importance and others to be side-lined temporarily and to be resurrected later.
It's a next phase of my life I will be embarking on so let's move on!
If I say to a person 'I hope you stop existing' wouldn't you not want to associate with that person or the things the person does further? If you not like the person till the extent of hate, wouldn't you ignore the person completely and not be bothered by what the person does? It seems that the idea of 'stop existing' and impression of 'hate' here is somewhat warped. Perhaps my understanding of both ideas is shallow and lacking in-depth. Unless, of course, if the idea of showing ones hate is to attempt to irk the hateful person in every microscopic manner possible, then aren't we going back to the days when we were kids where we told your classmates 'I Hate You' or in a more naive way 'I don't want to friend you anymore'. I wonder who is the bigger kid today?
So if today I say to person(s) that 'I hope you stop existing', would I still want to butt in and make my presence felt despite at the end of the day becoming the butt of other people's jokes? Or am I the biggest joke in town to even begin with? If I say I want to end all things civil with that person, then why do I still want to associate with that person? The nonsensical things people do sometimes to desperately seek attention, however unwanted.
Some feel that arrogance and attitude should be their motto in life. Some feel that being part of a click or group that empowers them to have that air of superiority over others should be their way of life. Yet, somehow, I see little else other than shallowness.
I don't know, perhaps doodling on a person's blog or lampooning a person with insults and defamatory remarks or even drawing interesting caricatures of a person is the new way of showing ones hatred towards a person in today's age and civilised world. Perhaps, if I were to do the same thing to these person(s)... Wait, I am reluctant to do so; I cannot go beyond the thought of such shallow behaviour.
I know one thing for sure is that when this is published, there will be the same person(s) tagging under a misnomer. I also know that I will also have the same people telling me not to bother about these people. I don't know, perhaps if you want to say something about a person and you really want to mean it, I guess leaving your real name adds more credibility and weight to it. Otherwise, it sort of becomes a tiresome rant from nothing more than person(s) who having nothing significant in their lives worth living for than to have to resort to such taunting to derive their entertainment. It almost seems that their own perceived social circle is nothing more than them and the internet.
Oh, if expletives need to be used to help these person(s) understand, then everything I have written earlier can actually be summarised in two words, 'Fuck Off'.
If these person(s) still cannot comprehend this subtle message I put across to them, than it is either these person(s) have had their brains permanently damaged by their experiences in life thus far or they are simply just proudly embracing their social circle of me and the internet. Either way, I am not amused.
Went back to collect my pink card today. Think it would be the last time I will need to take 975 to some god-forsaken place where an SAF camp resides. I think I can put my travel fare to much greater use in future.
Went back to collect my appreciation gift and some card that has been stuck on the notice board for ages.
First, the appreciation gift. Nothing but expletives right now, so let's move on for the time-being.
Second, the card. For such a shallow write-up about a person where everything is based on built up anger and warped perceptions, I think the writer needs some re-evaluation on himself as a person. Again, more expletives are running through my mind.
If mocking fun at a person's mannerism makes your day, then I think you people who still reside in that un-urbanised area may want to grow up and be a little more mature. (I must think beyond expletives!)
If the character and personality of a person is what that irks you, then perhaps you could move along and shove yourself aside, rather then to put on a facade to uphold your definition of civility and make your lowly life-form even more punishing and tormenting. (No more expletives, please!)
I believe in the theory of the spinning table; where what goes around will eventually come around. For what that you may have found satirical in a person, the same would eventually befall on you in an ever more gracious manner. I could very much say, to hell with you, but I shall let it pass for you people are not worth another bout of profanity.
I am exhilarated that I am once again holding on to my pink card!
Green shit. Yup, I was passing out shit that was green in colour and smelt like algae. Yucks!
The concoction is as follows:
Lots of wholesome and probably not so cooked barbecue crabs, chicken, stingray, fish and squid.
1 whole 350ml bottle of sweet alcohol
1 whole carton of apple and aloe vera juice
Not only does it give you a serious diarrhea, it gives you a 37.5 degree celcius fever too.
All I needed was a big bang on the 5th of November to end all this commotion in a ceremonial manner.
On a lighter note, I am collecting my pink card on 6th November instead of 3rd November as arranged because my commander wants to give the bunch of us a little token of appreciation for all the hardwork rendered during our service. However, I say, the best appreciation is to not hold our pink card back any longer just like your own pink card which will only be returned to you very much later. Very much later.
I need to perfect my control of my steering wheel by the next two lessons. I know I can do it!