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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.



-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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/

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.