So it's official

Now that I finally have some time for myself (all the teachers cancelled classes today), I can write something.

It's been a whirlwind of a term 1 for me, and I recently crashed on my Math test (surprise, surprise). DARN YOU EIGENVECTORS!

Anyway, I've been observing that there is a huge number of local youths taking up Japanese as a foreign language. Personally, it weirds me out. Then again, I'm the one who knows how to thank someone in Macedonian. 

So today, I just want to practise my German writing here in my blog.

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Heute ich habe keine Klassen, weil alle meine Lehrer die Klassen storniert. So, ich war bis zum Ende meine Midihausaufgaben. Aber ich jetzt im Bibliothek. Sigh.

Ever had this happen to you?

Hello everyone! I haven't been on the Internet for leisure for quite some time. So, hello again, blogosphere and... blogosphere-ers. 

I don't know if this has happened to you, where you are all raring to go on discussing the topic of thought, and your mind is all against it, because it is what I'm going through right now.

 

Imagine this: 

Hello world, let's discuss (no, that's a stupid topic), how about (no, too cliched) ...

Sigh. 

What I need is blogger's action day again.

Two weeks into school

and this is what I went through:

4 physically draining keyboard lessons

4 music theory lessons

2 maths tutorials, 1 still yet to be done (the topics are partial fractions and complex numbers)

1 audio editing exercise

an encounter with death (by powerpoint presentation)

2 extremely corny lessons (aptly called Our Nation, Our World)

many, many 20th century pieces as examples for exploring timbre

recordings  of Debussy

tramping up and down to the Main Library

2 lectures with a near dead lecturer (won't say who)

2 ear-training lessons coupled with one of my characteristic laughing fits

involvement with a group of people who we so fondly call ourselves the drug circle

'Nuff said

I had style, I had flair, I was there!

and that's how I DIDN'T become the nanny. (Note the pop culteure icon to the hit 90's show "The Nanny", if any of you haven't been catching the drift)

I was going to blog about what NOT to blog, but i'll save it for the next post. Meanwhile, I took this really fun quiz (and it's not from Facebook). It's about what comes into my mind when you say certain words, and this game goes much deeper, as it focuses on lateral thinking (this is a transcript of when I played with a friend).

Country: Namibia

What you think about the previous answer: !Kung bushmen

What you think about the previous answer: Click sounds

What you think about the previous answer: Xhosa language

What you think about the previous answer: Nelson Mandela

What you think about the previous answer: Apartheid

What you think about the previous answer: South Africa

What you think about the previous answer: Africa

What you think about the previous answer: Roman Empire (Africa is a Latin word)

What you think about the previous answer: Power

What you think about the previous answer: HM Queen Elizabeth II

What you think about the previous answer: Canada (She's the Queen of Canada too)

What you think about the previous answer: Inuit

What you think about the previous answer: Greenland

What you think about the previous answer: Denmark (coloniser of Greenland)

What you think about the previous answer: Scandinavia

What you think about the previous answer: Germanic people

What you think about the previous answer: Germany

What you think about the previous answer: Namibia (colonised by Germany)

Funny how things come in full circle, isn't it?

Got Milk? An Earth Hour Message

Found a strange addiction to milk (particularly full cream and chocolate) these few days. Yes, I know this is especially weird and unusual.


Today the Orchestra is performing on Earth Hour. In the dark. For about an hour. As Kok Wai put it: Omigosh. Better dish out the fluorescent bangles.


We have come a long way in development, but it has come with a price: The Earth is getting more and more sick by the second. Pollution levels are rising all over the world. Waste is accumulating and is increasing at an alarming rate.


Fortunately, modern technology and politics has improved in terms on environmental conservation. Rubbish is now used to create electricity. We also now have a carbon neutral country (that's Vatican City by the way) and many more nations such as Costa Rica are also aiming for this carbon neutral status. Australia is about to phase out the use of incandescent lightbulbs, saving heck of a lot of electricity.


However, laws and technology cannot function alone, for it is the common people that makes all the difference, including you and me. So, by doing our dear Earth a favour by turning off all the electrical appliances (except for the fridge of course) you can make a very big difference. Also in conjunction with Earth Hour, I invite you to watch the following video:



Happy Earth Hour!

A reply to the "Petition Against High Bus Fares to Poly Students"

This topic has never failed to make me chortle within myself.

I see endless pages of argument between Poly Students and JC students in Singapore over the unequality of bus fares. JC students would pay the students' concessionary fare while Polytechnic students are subject to paying the bus fares.

What amuses me is actually how poorly this subject has been going on. I see much talk with no real work done, that is. Polytechnic students are typically complaining and JC students are just justifying the LTA's motions.

I have one thing to say: When arguing, base your arguments on a basis where everyone can relate to each other. As such, there shouldn't be long winded tussles over "You don't understand me" issues. (This applies to your relationship too, if you have any)

A nation is defined as a group of people who have similar interests and goals. In Singapore, these interests can be found within the National Pledge. I highlight this part in italics below.

We, the citizens of Singapore
Pledge ourselves as one united people
Regardless of race, language or religion
To build a democratic society
Based on justice and equality
So as to achieve happiness
Prosperity and progress to our nation

Here is the highlighted part, in case you missed it:

To build a democratic society
Based on justice and equality

To be a nation as described above one needs justice and equality. This can be applied to the bus fare issues based on this sentence which i know Singaporean students drone on each school day without taking in account of what is actually meant.

I have a proposition:

All students receiving tertiary education in Singapore should have 4 concessionary bus trips each school day, and this is used to go to school and return home from school. Anything more and the student is to be charged adult fare.

Extra concessions bought at bus interchanges or MRT should not have a significant price difference and I recommend that Poly students pay 15% more than JC students.

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Oh, and for the JC students who argued at these forums please be noted that:

1) Our school fees are heck a lot more than yours and that's why we do mind paying more for something over a basic necessity.

2) Yes, we have no uniforms and it is true it is easier for us to go out and have more fun, but please note: We are nevertheless in a learning institution and we do have exams and grades to worry about too.

3) We also will have to drop a course if we do poorly in school.

4) What do you mean (Fawwaz from the Facebook forums) JC students have no lax in discipline? Is that not an implication that Poly students always bend the rule? We are human, please, and no matter how hard you try, you can never have a completely perfect or a dysfunctional society.

Let's Talk About: Euthanasia

This is another fairly eye-opening topic which I intend to discuss today.

Euthanasia is the act of mercy-killing to patients who are terminally ill. This issue has been stirring up a storm of controversy lately, and still no definitive answer as to it's extent of acceptability has been brought up. It is, of course, a highly subjective topic and I do welcome comments on this post but please, no inflaming comments please :)

Why euthanasia is acceptable:

• It relieves the terminally-ill patient of further suffering.


• It is more economical if you look in the healthcare system's point of view: More space in hospitals to treat other patients, resources can be used on other patients, etc.

Why euthanasia is not acceptable:

• It is easily viewed as a crime against life and suicide in most religions.


• It is morally wrong.


• The medical professionals have the duty of sustaining a patient until he/she dies naturally.


• Family members would want to spend as much time possible with the dying patient.

In my point of view, euthanasia is actually acceptable as long as it is consented by a mentally-fit patient himself. It is unfair to make decisions upon a mentally fit patient who, technically speaking, is the only one who knows the suffering he/she is going through.

However, if I would unfortunately be in the patients position (which I hope i won't be), I wouldn't end my life with euthanasia, but I would stop taking my medicine, because in my religion it is morally wrong to know your time of death. At least refusing medicine still keeps your time of death uncertain.

That's my point of view. What's yours?

What the Devil did in the First 7 days.

Today I want to share with you Nury Vittachi's latest column in Reader's Digest Asia.

First a foreward: In the West children are taught the clear boundaries of good and bad, whereas in Asia children are taught the balance of good and bad (cue the memories of yin-yang and what not) If we were to apply the Asian outlook into Genesis, it would be very weird indeed. In fact, after reading this you may be led to doubting that it was the fruit of knowledge that led to Man's downfall.

The passage below is written by Nury Vittachi and edited by me.

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WHAT THE DEVIL DID IN THE FIRST SEVEN DAYS

In the beginning God created heaven and earth, and earth was void without form. Then God made a cicular light and called it the Sun. And he saw that light was good. Then the Devil made a smaller light, and rectangular in shape, and called it TV. And the Devil saw that light was bad.

God made springs which came out of the ground, which out came fountains of pure water. And God saw that water was good. Then Devil invented carbonated drinks. And saw that fizzy drinks are bad.

God said, Let the Earth bring forth vegetables, so that the children may grow up healthy. Then the Devil said, Let there be deep fried potatoes cut into long strips.

And God said, Let the waters bring forth 10,000 varieties of fish to provide sustainance for the children. And the Devil arranged that the fish be deep fried, smothered in batter and served with the deep fried potatoes.

On the seventh day, God rested and asked his children to rest as well, and contemplate wonders of creation. And the Devil created the Sunday brunch, Sunday tabloids, and that the bodies of the children be filled with more deep fried potatoes.

God said to the boy, Go forth and multiply. Then the devil invented the computer and ordered 10,000 demons to fill it online battles etc. And the boy did cleave to the computer.

God then made many attractive blandishments which she could use whenever the boy is away from the computer. And the Devil invented the Nintendo DS Lite and the PSP.

Then the Devil entered the serpent and caused him to say to the boy, If you eat the fruit of knowledge which the Lord hath forbidden you to touch, your eyes will be opened and you shall be as gods.

And the boy looketh at the girl and said, "No thanks, we liketh not fruit. But hast thou any deep-fried potatoes?"

Haydn's Best Work

It happens to be the music he composed for Germany which is in use until today. According to a source, this very song happens to be the last song that haydn ever played on the piano.

This melody appeared on one of his string quartets as well. If I'm not mistaken it is the second movement of the "Emperor" quartet.

Here's the link.

A Website and an Application to Remember

It's nice that my sister can read Wingdings (seriously, she codes all her messages in those and sniggers behind my back) but I can read more scripts than her at present.

Anyway, I just discovered these cool, albeit insane, website that allows you to advertise for $1 a pixel 9and mind you, that is tiny). And the website author has smartly put up 1,000,000 pixels. There's more: the whole thing has been filled to its 1,000,000 pixels many times over. Let's face it: the author is one smart kid with lots of money now.

Here's a snapshot:

and the link.

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Google's new version of Google Earth is now ultra packed with new add-ons that make exploring much cooler. In addition of Google Mars and Google Sky, it now has a Flight Simulator to go with Google earth, so you can practically fly over the Earth's surface in a choice of 2 planes.

I guess in the near future, Microsoft won't be making any more flight simulators.

You can download and experience Google earth free. Here's the link.

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Before I want to end off for today, I want to say that the first few seconds of music on Han's blog has really gone into my head, because i can't stop the music that fast :)

Let's Talk About: The Veil (Hijab) in Muslim Society

In turns out that Western perceptions in the topic of the women's veil is a symbol of oppression or weakness. Let's get this straight:

• We have to understand that the Asian society is culturally more conservative than Western society. Try going out anywhere in Asia and not covering enough and see how many signs of disapproval you get.


• Women are not the only ones to get clothing rules. Men in the Muslim society actually have to cover everything from their navel to their knees.


• If Westerners are tut-tutting over the Muslim veil, why not over the nuns' veils as well while they're at it?
  

That being said, it is unfair to look at everything in one point of view.

However, I must point out that it is true that in some parts of the world, the women are forced to cover up. In my opinion, there is no need for drastic measures because I am absolutely sure that women with proper moral values will actually do what they think is best.

On the other hand there are some places where the hijab is banned in governmental institutions, education sector, etc. My opinion of this matter is to actually allow women of a certain maturity to make their own choices. Actually, when a woman is forced not to wear a hijab, muslims consider it fine as long as she has an intention to wear it.

My final word on this matter is that freedom of choice needs to be emphasised, and this not only goes to Muslim women but to ther societies as well.

You can read up more on the issue in the book below, "The Veil Unveiled"

An Annoying Habit

Hey guess what, I just picked up this annoying habit of going to the SEAB website, looking for the 'A' Levels syllabuses, looking at the areas of study, and going to look up for material on the web/library. This is either

a) I'm going mad with boredom

b) I'm just a kaypoh (that means busybody for the learners of Singlish) who wants to know stuff that people taking A Levels also know.

c) I ran out of stuff to blog

d) I have a genuine interest in studying stuff but detests taking exams

e) all of the above.

If you really want to know, I've been looking up Music H2 syllabus, English Language and Linguistics H2 Syllabus, and much other stuff which I rather not say.

P.S. I must say that the Music H2 Syllabus is actually quite interesting (especially the Asian stuff) though.

Speak Better Singlish Part 2

LESSON FOCUS

• usage of the particles "leh"
• expressing the past participle
• sentence structure in Singlish

1. Usage of "leh".

This two particles are always misused by ang mohs [ang MOR] (Westerners), if ever used at all. The particle "leh" is used when implying that the listener should not try to make things difficult to the listener or trying to make the spaekers point more concrete, as opposed to "lah" where it convinces the listener to do something asked by the speaker.

Compare these sentences.

A. That one very cheap, leh.

B. That one very cheap, lah.

Both the above sentences imply that the item referred to (that one) is cheap, but sentence B is more of a convincing tone, as compared to sentence A.

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2. Expressing the past participle

Singlish is similar to German in the sense that the past tense is alwys a participle, thus having no need to conjugate the verb any further.

There are two ways to express the past participle:

1. Use of the particle "liao" (LIAU)
2. Use of "orredy" (from English: already)

Normally, "liao" is used when there is only one verb in the sentence and that sentence can NEVER be a question. "Liao" is ALWAYS placed at the back of the sentence. After use of "liao", the verb NEED NOT be in the past tense.

Example (pronounced act-ZAM-PER in Singlish)

1. I talk to him liao. (I have talked to him)

2. I finish my homework liao. (I have finished my homework)

"Liao" can also also describe past actions without indicating a past participle.

"The dog bite me, liao" (The dog bit me)

"Orredy" is used when the particle "got" is used, or when the sentence involves a question. It is considered to be more formal than "liao". As such, "orredy" can replace "liao" but never the other way round, except when "liao" does not indicate a past participle.

Example

1. You finish your homework orredy? (Have you finished your homework?) [NOTE: It is wrong to say, "You finish your haomework, liao?"

2. I got wash my hands orredy. (I have washed my hands)

In an infinitive (to .....) is used after "got", it is ok to use "liao".

1. I got to finish my homework liao.

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3. Sentence structure in Singlish.

Singlish is a strictly SVO (Subject-Verb-Object) language. The focus of the sentence is normally placed at the front. Observe the following sentences:

A. I finish my homework orredy.

B. I orredy finish my homework.

Sentence A focuses on the subject finishing his HOMEWORK whereas sentence b focuses on the SUBJECT finishing his homework.

If in the occasion where the focus is to be the object, the particle "one" (WAHN) is used.

A. He hit me.

B. He hit me one.

Sentence A shows that HE hit me whereas sentence B shows that he hit ME.

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Now that i'm done with the bare basic grammar, we can move on to more cultural stuff from next lesson onwards!

I got to zao now liao.

Speak Better Singlish Part 1

In an efforts to increase the awareness and promote better usage of pure Singlish (the dialect used by middle-class Singaporeans) I decided to chip in in this indispensable guide to Singlish. maybe by the time I come to Part 5, i will write in Singlish, so don't worry.

Singlish is not as complicated (complicated in Singlish would be cheem) as it looks or sounds. It lacks orthographical rules, thanks to the intellects of people who want to preserve the integrity and purity of our colonialists' tongue. As a result, local words tend to be spelt as it is pronounced. I have devised a standard that will be used throughout these lesson packs.

In Chinese, Malay, Hindi or Tamil loanwords or cognates the following convention will be used. Words of english origin will preserve the orthographical rules of English.

CONSONANTS

1. "ch" is always as in church, never as in character.
2. "g" is always as in game, never as in gentle.
3. "h" is always aspired.
4. "r" is always soft, but some people prefer a tapped "r".

VOWELS

1. "a" is long in single syllable words, as in father. Pronounced short if preceded by a stopped syllable.
2. "o" as in old.
3. "i" as in India
4. "u" as in put.
5. "ee", long "i" as in feet
6. "oo", long "u" as in foot
7. "eh" as in eh?
8. "e" as in say. On unstressed syllables pronounced "uh". Can also alter vowel sounds if placed at the back.

All diphthongs are pronounced as 1 syllable and are generally short. Syllables ending with "h" are generally lengthened, and the h is not pronounced. If you are steel confused, I include Berlitz style pronunciation guides for you.

PRACTICE TIME!

Pronounce the following words.

1. Cheem (CHEEM) complicated
2. Orredy (or-RAY-dee) already
3. Leceh (Lay-CHEH) troublesome
4. Gahmen (GAH-men) government
5. Chop (CHAWP) to stamp
6. Chope (CHOPE) to reserve
7. Pai Kia (PAI KIA) gangsterish teenager
8. Shiok (SHOKE) great; enjoyable
9. Ulu (oo-LOO) something out of the way
10. Zao (DZAU) to leave

Now you have knowledge of 10 words!

CULTURE NOTES

1. If you have ever travelled to Singapore, you may have noticed that people seem to put "lah" at the end of the sentence a lot. "Lah" is used if the speaker wants to assert his statement, or invite someone to do something.

2. People in Singapore chope (see above #6) their tables at hawker centres using a packet of tissue paper.



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Next week, on Speak Better Singlish I share on another commonly used particle "Leh" and more on the Singlish grammar.

Now I have to go and zao. See you soon!

Here's a Tip for Essay Writers!

Many of my peers apparently are going to do essays as a regular part for their exam. Now, in an essay, I'm sure everyone might have that sinking feeling that you don't have sufficent words to meet the word requirement, right? (I do hear of word limits, though, and i'm afraid this entry won't be as helpful.)

There are 9 easy steps in achieveing longer sentences.

Here's the sentence we are trying to lengthen: More nightclubs will bring trouble to the streets.

STEP 1: Begin a statement with an indication to studies, even though you are not aware of it. No one's gonna care anyway. If some obnoxious KI guy/girl asks you, the see Step 5.

Studies have shown that more nightclubs will bring trouble to the streets.

STEP 2: Replace simple words with more complicated words. You may break simple words up for definition, or you can also replace them with a foreign quid pro quo.

Studies have shown that nocturnal establishments that offer entertainment services will bring ominent trouble in the neighbourhoods and thouroughfares.

STEP 3: Use vague, sophiscated verbs or adjectives. The vaguer the better.

Studies have identified the fact that nocturnal establishments that offer entertainment services will bring ominent trouble in the neighbourhoods and thouroughfares.

STEP 4: More adjectives can help in lengthening the sentence further.

Various studies have identified the fact that nocturnal establishments that offer entertainment services will bring all sorts of ominent troubles in the neighbourhoods and thoroughfares.

STEP 5: Convince that your studies are in fact true, (although you are not aware of it) by saying that there are many, it's just that the person was too ignorant for his/her own good. By the way, cahange all wills to woulds and can to coulds here.

A number of various applicable studies have generally identified the fact that nocturnal establishments that offer entertainment services would usually bring all sorts of ominent troubles in the neighbourhoods and thoroughfares.

STEP 6: You are now clear to write any redundancies.

A number of various applicable studies carried out by various research institutions have generally identified and indicated the fact that nocturnal establishments that offer entertainment services at night such as selling liquor would usually bring all sorts of ominent troubles in the neighbourhoods and thouroughfares where people will encounter many inconveniences because of them.

STEP 7: Write "it is" or "there are" expressions to make yourself sound innocently smart.

There is no escaping the fact that it is considered very important to note that a number of various applicable studies carried out by various research institutions have generally identified and indicated the fact that nocturnal establishments that offer entertainment services at night such as selling liquor would usually bring all sorts of ominent troubles in the neighbourhoods and thouroughfares where people will encounter many inconveniences because of them.

STEP 8: Slip in lawyers' tongue here, to make yourself sound superior.

There is no escaping the fact that it is considered very important to note that a number of various applicable studies carried out by various research institutions have generally identified and indicated the fact that nocturnal establishments, despite being legal, that offer entertainment services at night between but not limited to 8 pm till early morning such as selling liquor would usually bring all sorts of ominent troubles in the neighbourhoods and thouroughfares where people, mainly residents living in the area, will encounter many inconveniences because of them.

STEP 9: For the final touch, add in Greek or Latin words.

There is no escaping the fact that it is considered very important to note that a number of various applicable studies studies ipso facto carried out by various research institutions have generally identified and indicated the fact that nocturnal establishments, despite being legal, that offer entertainment services at night between but not limited to 8 pm till early morning such as selling liquor would usually bring all sorts of ominent troubles in the neighbourhoods and thouroughfares where people, mainly residents living in the area, will encounter many inconveniences because of them.

To remind you how the sentence started out: More nightclubs will bring trouble to the streets.

Have fun!

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Anyway, I've prepared the new music for this month, which I fondly call Blogosphere II

One way to inconvenience people...

... is to set up a parasitic meta blog! (Thank you Leila Johnston)

Here's the link.

Enjoy!

On My Latest Book Report...

I have been doing something that would have pleased my Music teacher.

Now that I'm done analysing the first movement of Symphony 104 by Haydn (still) and studying World Music (Gamelan) to the point that I can actually get an honorary degree in ethnomusicology (I think...), I want to share this book I've been reading.



Yes, it looks like something I've been reading for ages, but actually started on it when I last put on my previous blog post. The book features stuff you can do to make people's lives miserable (and annoyed), and I've even taken liberty of practicing this new way of annoying readers (by putting parentheses all over the text) as you would should have noticed (by now).

Some excerpts (from the book of course):

1. Remember to announce "Cross the road!" loudly when the green man lights up.

2. Cheer up the grieving. Make two bluetack eyes and a smiley mouth and stick them to gravestones.

3. Ask for sandwich fillings while pointing at other ones.

There are more in the book's website http://worryfriends.com/

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By the way, i've been learning my German and needs practicing for good use, so if any of you
can speak German, tell me and we'll try having a proper conversation.

In addition, I've been listening to this band called Rosenstolz (http://www.rosenstolz.de/die_suche_geht_weiter/) and their music is great. I recommend that you hear some of their tunes (maybe Wie weit ist vorbei, Ich bin Ich, Willkommen and Gib mir Sonne). They sing in German however.

P.S. Since I've been learning German, I was resisting the temptation to put Capitals in the Oddest oF PlacEs.

The Strange Oddities in the World

As I was walking down 7-11, an air freshener caught my eye.


There were 2 things on my mind, first was "Who calls air freshener sai?". Secondly , I thought it was high time to post weird oddities around the world with my camera phone or by other sources.

This is what I got


#1: Spotted in Malaysia



#2: Average Americans?


#3: It's not nice to put an underwear commercial on a bus

#4: Spotted in Vietnam. "Hey waiter, this tastes like... oh never mind..."

#5: Alternative printing method if you ran out of ink.

#6: Action watch

#7: What to do if you ran out of brushes...

#8: Flat-screen TV?

#9: Do not enter...the fries cannot decompose...

#10: Talk about irony!

#11: A very strange Wanted notice

#12: Spotted in Germany. Maybe "Drive-In" was too literal a sign...

#13: One word: Yuck...

#14: Spotted in India. Might as well we don't visit the zoo...

The Day After the New Year Message

After a really long break since November, I've decided to return to the blogosphere. There are few things I want to discuss namely:

1. How to have New Year wishes,

2. Resolutions (more like what not to have as a resolution),

3. Some stuff I discovered in 2008

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1. NEW YEAR WISHES

• Be realistic, maybe aiming to colonise Jupiter by this year. Don't aim for unrealistic stuff such as vying for Pluto to be a planet again, that will never work. Mark my words.
• Don't bother wishing stuff over New Year. Why do you think they have birthdays? I guess that cancels my first point.

2. RESOLUTIONS

• Never say "Fulfilling my last resolution...". I nearly cringed with incredulosity when Hady Mirza said it after hearing this from many many many many other people, if you get my drift.
• Don't bother making New Year resolutions. Who the heck fulfills them anyway? Do you?

3. SOME STUFF I DISCOVERED IN 2008

• PDQ Bach
• "Stayin Alive" is sang by a guy
• That infectous chord progression is from "Good Golly Miss Molly" by Little Richard.
• The song "Dragostea Din Tei" by O-Zone is in Romanian
• Cher isn't a guy! (Hear the song "Believe" by Cher if you don't get it)
• ACS (Barker Road) is a boys' school, not girl-deprived