Ace blog entry 5: Favourite part of Village by the sea

Hi guys,my favourite part of village by the sea(my literature book) is the part when Hari ,an Indian boy, escapes from his village,Thul, in desperation after his dog's deat,Pinto.It was also because of the fact that his family was constantly plagued with poverty and his hatred towards his drunkard father that led to the decision to leave and run away to bombay, the city he always have dreamt of going, in search for jobs.In his journey,he met some benefactors like Sayyid Ali(a watchman at sea birdz0,mr panwallahz (watchmender) and Jagu (owner of a restaurant),that turned his life around and taught him some important lessons and skills, especially Mr Panwallah.I do, learnt some important things too.From Mr Panwallah, he taught Hari and me that change is inevitable,and from his 'famous' speech "the wheel turns and turns and turns:But never stops or standstill", Hari realized that in order to  embrace industrialization , he has to always learn. This really symbolises reality,we too have to constantly learn and change, to adapt the upcoming changes. Like the economic downturn, we have to learn to save money, think twice before buying things in the supermarket,"Do i really need this?"Question yourself.Global warming has become a world crisis , melting of glaciers, extinction of animals and plants, in order to deal with this changes ,we have to learn,learn and learn!This is why i like this part of the chapter, as it taught me so much.In the end, Hari returns as a more confident boy, able to embrace changes.He began to see things at a different perspective , a positive one, for the first time, he looks at the future with hope and dreams.With his watchmending skills imparted by Mr Panwallah,he intends to open a watchmending shop.

Ace blog entry 4:I'd rather be a country rat than a city rat

Hi guys, today i will be talking about my feelings about this topic.I've seen a movie related to this before.I couldn't recall the name of that movie but i do recall the contents of it.It's about a country rat that was tired of his own village and moved on to a city instead. Where he mets a city rat and started showing him around.It was great, nice food luxury and other things that you'll find in a city.But it wasn't all perfect, soon they encounter cats that started attacking them and trying to eat them,well that's what cats would do.And in the end the country mouse felt that his village was better and went home.I do agree with the country rat's decision. I would rather live in peace and free of dangers that constantly worrying of the dangers that lurk in every corners like predators that are out to kill you.It's a little like , unable to sleep peacefully or walking in a dark alley. Being a country rat has less chance of being attacked by city 'monsters' and living in an urban area involves heavy traffic ,which means countless  vehicles,and being a tiny rat,this is definitely not a place for me to live.Therefore i conclude that i do prefer to be a country rat than a city rat.Bye~

Ace blog entry 3:Confessions of a ......

Confessions of a studious , sporty and gleeful boy!I tell you what guys, i love to study, not that i'm a nerd or something, but studying actually make me feel ...well...kind of a sense of achievement.Weird right?But i'm not lying, when i study i feel more secure and relax!I believe knowledge is important but nothing beats sports that brings smiles and health to me.Playing softball, the game i love,and soccer with my friends give me great pleasure.That feeling of hitting the ball with a bat and hitting a homerun ,brings that undercribable feeling to me although i don't show much.Smacking that soccer ball into the back of the net and seeing the ball swiftly going pass the keeper ,hitting the top bar and hearing the 'ping' sound, these little, little unperfect things make my life so perfect.Going to school ,stepping into my rowdy class, gives me smiles.Seeing my friends, my great friends and telling and sharing so much to them, gives me smiles.Everything about my class gives me smiles:Tan jun and others (including me)playing soccer in class, kicking the white board.My chairman,yong rui coming up to speak ,his voice makes the whole class laugh their heads off.Especially changze!He is the most hilarious student in our class.His sense of humour, his jokes and his actions(walking like some monkey) bring smiles to the whole class.When he returns to China, the whole class actually miss him,although he was bullied by others, changze was emotionally tough and though i thought the whole class looked down on him,but i found out they treat him as a friend, we really miss him ,his jokes..his evrything!Like i said,it's the little things in life that make my life so perfect.

Ace blog entry 2:A book that made an impact on my parents' life

Today, i'll be talking about a book hat made an impact on my parents' life.That book is called " DALE CARNEGIE" This book taught my parents how to manage stress , solving problems that we face in life and how to communicate with friends and family. I feel that this book has helped my parents a lot. They have became happier and they manage to apply the lessons of this book on a daily basis.Such as during work and at home. As i have also attended their course based on that book for the youth, i am able to elaborate on what they taught . The 'DALE CARNEGIE' course gives us many chances to speak up , about our feelings and thoughts, based on an experience. One of the activities was "What was one experience when you manage overcome you fear?"When it was my turn to speak in front of the class,  i was extremely frightened.But later i manage to do well.It also teaches us some simple rules when communicating with others, that can be used when making friends."Don't criticise  ,condemn or complain." was the first rule for making friends.We were then arranged in random order to talk to other people about our hobbies,primary schools and other information.This book or this course can help us tremendously in life.We can use it to make friends ,communicate with family and even for job opportunities.Friends are important, they bring joy and laughter to your life, they give encouragement and love.Thanks to this course , my parents have made many many friends.And so have i, like the friends i have in my school from class 1o3.When i come to school, i'm always happy, because i can see my friends, my great friends.When i'm down, they cheer me up, when i'm hurt, they care for me.We tell jokes to each other , we share experiences . Communication between family members and i have greatly improved.It is essential that you must have a strong bond with your  family , as when you have really big troubles, they're the ones that will stand by your side, through good and bad times.You can talk to siblings and parents about your troubles and experiences, they will definitely lend an ear to you.That's why it is important to have communication with your family.Having good speaking skills can help  significantly in your career as it is through words that you can express your thoughts and feelings.This book and course has helped me and my parents so much and i want to thank them right here.Thank you, DALE CARNEGIE!

Ace blog:Entry 1 (personal) What's happening to the CORAL REEFS?

Hi guys, sorry that i've not been posting for a long time.Today ,i'll be talking about saving the coral reefs.Thanks to our pollution of the air, such as burning fossil fuels  and thus releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The seas would then absorb the carbon dioxide and  the water will be acidified. Corals produce some substance called calcium carbonate that is vital in building up its protective shell (external skeleton), with the waters warming up, it is harder for the corals to produce this substance. What's worse, the water that is acidified in to carbonic acid will bleach the corals.This is like putting you in a bathtub filled with hydrochloric acid!Coral reefs are extremely beautiful, today, already 1/5 of the coral reefs in the oceans are already destroyed and 24% are in danger of extinction. With the destruction of the coral fishes habitats, they will eventually die. It is also the cause of selfish fishermen that overfish, that led to some of the extinction. So many species of creatures in the coral reefs  that may hold medicinal properties are already being destroyed.This is like crushing the hopes of the cancer patients all over the world waiting anxiously for a cure as their time left slowly ticks away.You might think it is our intelligence that make us special ,well indeed, but it is also our downfall.The arable land will turn barren and dry, thus reducing our food production.Rising of sea-levels cause less land for us, humans ,to live on.With famine,comes war!With poor conditions of hygiene caused by wars and famines  and the less space we have ,we will have to live closer, with the population density of an area increasing, diseases will be easily transmitted(like in a crowded area).We would turn to medicines, but with so much animals extinct, will we be able to find a cure for new diseases?This would ultimately result in the extinction of us, humans.

History blog ace

(Hi guys,this post is for the my school project ace.)TAN TOCK SENG

 

In this project, I am asked to research on a renown person, Tan Tock Seng. Surely you have heard of “Tan Tock Seng Hospital” ,well I will be elaborating on the founder of this hospital and his other contributions.

Tan Tock Seng was born in 1798 , Malacca, Malaysia.He was a Hokkien merchant , landowner, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He moved to Singapore at the age of 21 in 1819, and started selling fruits , vegetables , chickens and worked very hard.Being a hardworking and thrifty man, he saved up enough money to open a shop in 1827.He became wealthy through a joint business with J.H Whitehead of Shaw and was one of the richest merchants in Singapore.

In the middle of 18^th century, the life for the Asians were miserable Many of them were poor and suffered from diseases such as malaria ,cholera small pox and tuberculosis. The living conditions where the Asians were living was poor. They lived in overcrowded shophouses with poor sanitation, attracting pests that carries  diseases especially in Chinatown ,one of the most crowded area in Singapore. Those who were too sick to work, were forced to beg in the streets. Over time, the streets were too, dirty, with piles of rubbish on the roadside ,with pests like flies and mosquitoes. The sick who were forced to beg on the streets, and die due to malnutrition and diseases with no one to take care of them.This is where Tan Tock Seng comes to the rescue.He decided to build a hospital for the poor, and donated a large sum of money , with the help of his friends supporting him, he managed to construct this hospital. I would classify this contribution as a social impact. It help to improve the health of the poor , but it has a negative effect too. The hospital was usually overcrowded, and this caused a average of tow deaths in that hospital as diseases were spread among the patients , and had poor drainage system .Another contribution of Tan Tock Seng  was to provide money for proper burials of the bodies of the baggers on the streets , he took it upon himself to do this job . This is another example of a social impact.

            I feel that a monument that could represent him, is a piano. You see, music makes us happy and relax, like Tan Tock Seng, who brings hope to the poor and joy. Building this hospital, helps the poor from painful and lethal diseases and illness. Songs  and music produced by the piano are a combination of the different keys and rhythms, just like when you tell people of his contributions, it made me happy, knowing that there are such noble people actually loving and sacrificing so much for others .For me, it is music to my ears                       

From this project, I realized that there are many people out there who actually care for others. From news,i always thought that the world was cruel and selfish , causing wars, riots ,poverty and other environmental issues like global dimming and warming.In my research, I came a cross many  noble people like Tan Tock Seng, this made me realized that I was wrong,there are still people who still care.From this, surprisingly, I began to develop a slight interest in History , my working attitude towards history has changed.Thank you Ms Yeo and Mrs Tan, for making this possible.

DONE BY:MATTHEW QUEK(15)1O3

 

What a week!

Hi guys, sorry that i have not been posting any new posts in  my blog.Well this week was a rather tough week, i received terrible news that my projects day group did not make it into the semi-finals.This wasn't such a great blow to me, as i knew that this would happen.Our group did not manage to complete our presentation due to lack of time.We did quite a good job in our powerpoint slides ,that's no doubt about that. Well i think that my group should improve in our presentation skills and time schedule.Well on wednesday, the whole of Secondary 1 took an english narrative writing , this was the first time i wasn't so worried about the test.I should be able to do better than what i achieved in primary school.I had a few problems with my schedule.I was so afraid that my grades would fall due to my CCA,softball.We had three training each week!Isn't that tough!Well i should be counted lucky though as some of my classmates that are in track and field has four trainings each week!I feel very troubled by this matter.I just have to put in more effort in my work.The environment is not doing very well too, apparently, i guess people in the world don't care about the planet at all.No matter how many warnings environmentalists have given.I really hope the world would wake up and change.I will never be give up on my dream to make the world a better place.But sometime's i feel that the world don't care about Gaia at all.I feel so tired repeating "save the planet!Don't give up!".It made me to develop the idea that we can't do this.Let's save the Earth guys, have hope in our hearts.

Late post!Sorry!

Hi guys, sorry about the late post, i was rather busy lately, well i will be talking about my weekends,it was a rather interesting one indeed.On friday, my school took us to Victoria Theatre to view a drama show on the founder of our school,Tan Kah Kee, it was one of the  best performance i have ever seen, i was really surprised that i didn't fell asleep, well probably because i was watching it with my friends thus the mood was rather different more relaxed and festive.On Saturday morning, i went for weekly lessons called"IGenius" it was really fun, i haven't been there for quite a while, though we switched trainer, it was still rather fun as the topic for that lesson was about my favourite Scientist ,Albert Einstein!We went on talking about his life ,discoveries and attitudes, like his groundbreaking discovery that proved  Isaac Newton wrong!That we were actually orbiting around the Sun, not because it exerts a strong gravitational pull on the planets, but because it occupies a big space, his theory could be proven by a solar eclipse as his theory stated that when light comes near an object that has a big space, it is bent, though he was not given the chance to prove his theory as unluckily , clouds covered up the sky, causing him to miss the chance to prove his theory.He stood strong, after 4 tests, his theory was proven right.We should be like him, having that positive attitude towards life and thus made him into a great Scientist.We could be like him, if we are willing to try, applying his attitude of saving the planet, not giving up, always have  hope in our hearts, that one day, we pray, that we would wake up and change.It's not too late but time's running out.

Term 2 and Earth hour!

Hi!Well tomorrow is the start of term 2!This means getting to see my friends and teachers again in school, having lots of fun together.In a blink of an eye, the holidays are going to be over.Cheer up!Just think of it this way, this means we are closer to the big holidays!Like June and December holidays, more time to relax, have fun and learn!Earth hour!Next saturday, at 8.30 pm, you are encouraged to turn off the lights in your houses to support this event, this is like a vote that determines if the Earth is worth saving , they need 1 billion votes to show that Earth is worth saving.This is a little awkward , of course the Earth is worth saving!This is our home!We can't let it die!That's why this vote is so important, this is to find out if how many people take action and is willing to save the world.Support this event, do everything you can to increase the amount of surporters , call your friends and relatives!Do our part for the Earth, everyone makes a difference, we have to support this event .Friends ,teachers and relatives , lets unite and do this!

Tips!

Hi again.This posts is created just for tips.Use less hot water It takes a lot of energy to heat water. You can use less hot water by installing a low flow showerhead (350 pounds of carbon dioxide saved per year) and washing your clothes in cold or warm water (500 pounds saved per year) instead of hot.Unplug electronics from the wall when you’re not using them Even when turned off, things like hairdryers, cell phone chargers and televisions use energy. In fact, the energy used to keep display clocks lit and memory chips working accounts for 5 percent of total domestic energy consumption and spews 18 million tons of carbon into the atmosphere every year!Recycling!This can help to reduce the usage of natural resources like trees, and thus reducing the number of trees being deforested, and more trees are able to hold the soil , preventing water pollution and mudslides.Eat less meat, as farmers need not breed plenty of cows, which are one of the biggest methane emitters(greenhousegases like CO2)Oh well, this is all i can give, hope that you can take actions!

A good movie!

Hi!Today , i will be talking about i movie that i have watched on HBO.That movie is called"An inconvenient truth"Its about the environment,and an environmentalist called Al gore.This movie teaches us the effects and consequences of global warming, like the increase in more hurricanes,increasing of sea levels due to the melting glaciers .Animals are slowly moving towards the poles due to change in climate, in 2050, it's predicted that more than a million species of animals worldwide will face extinction.Ultimately, a food web and the ecosystem, which involves us, will be damaged.This has also increased the increase in malaria and dengue as insects that carry these diseases thrive in a warmer condition.What was once full of ice, (artic ocean) will soon be ice free.Did you know that only 3 or 4% of the energy in fuels are used in the tyres to move the driver!97% are wasted in engines and other parts of the car. We have to start now, by doing little little things like bying energy efficient applances, reduce the usage off electricity by switching off appliances when not in use, ask companies if they introduce green energy, if don't, ask"Why not?".This is harder and tougher than it seems, but if we really love and care for our planet, making such small sacrifices are nothing.Wake up everyone!Let's unite to save what's so perfect, the greatest gift God have gave us, our home,our EARTH!

Camps! Holidays!

Hi!I've just finished my camp, same camp as the P5 camp,but rather interesting.I have built stronger bonds with many people, this camp teaches us important life lessons.For instance, teamwork and trust, we played a game called "monkey's tail" and it was really fun.The purpose behind this game was to watch for our friend's backs, just like we should in life. We also did cheers and other games, they were really useful as it not only teaches us about teamwork, but sportsmanship. At the end of the camp, we learnt a lot, about life,experiencing the beauty of nature and friends.I want to thank the school for organising this camp,it has taught me so much.Well, holidays are next week!Given many homework, but doesn't affect my mood a lot, i'm really excited, more time for family, fun and reading.I could use the holidays for some enriching activities too.Looking forward to tommorow and the next term.I will be going out with my primary school friends.Next term, i'm really excited about it,gaining for knowledge and seeing my friends again.I hope each and everyone of you a FUN AND ENRICHING HOLIDAY!BYE!

Exams are over!

Yay!My exams are finally over!I'm quite sastified with my results,i can finally take a break after all the hard work i put in.The holidays are coming!I'm really excited about it!This means fun ,games and relaxation!I love holidays as i can do my own reading and read ahead on science and geography!This holiday, i have many homework given.There is projects day,geograhy ,chinese ,art and rta projects!I have to complete them as soon as possible so that i can do my own activities.Oh , i almost forgot, i 'm in the softball school team and next week is the competetion!I'm quite nervous as i have only joined softball for 2 months, not having much experience in the game.I hope that i will not dissapoint the team.Bye now!

Apocalypse how?

hi guys!I've just watched a documentary called"Apocalypse how?", it shares the views of scientists all over the rld, how the world is going to end,there are many theories but the one that i paid much attention to is the one on global warming.It talks about what global warming is, increasing in temperature ,melting glaciers and other disasters.Global warming is the warming effect of the Earth,due to excess CO2 emissions from industries and vehicles,these has led to the increase in temperature all over the world.You might think,"So what?"well, this also cayse the melting of glaciers and increase in sea level.You also might think that you're not living in the coastal areas, "scared what?" Well, it is predicted if this goes on, flooding a florida and londan will soon happen!Later, they talked about how 6 degrees could change the world.1-2 degrees might lead to the decreasing production of crops and the whole world will be affected, estimating that many would starve and most of the coral reefs and animals will be extinct.3-4degrees will eventually melt marjority of the glaciers, increasing sea level, warming the oceans up,more hurricanes.5-6 degrees will make most of the lands BONE DRY!This aren't made up, their facts!Not trying to scare you,but all these could happen sooner than you think,we have to start taking actions, try harder.Earth is the only planet that supports life in the slolar system!Our only home, we must protect it.

Going green!

Hi,today i'm going to talk about something different ,i have read an interesting article in today's paper,in the HOME section.The title of it is "Fairmont goes green"It is a plot driven story as it has a main idea which is how they are going green, which i will further elaborate.This is an article about a restaurant(szechuan court restaurant) in Fairmont Singapore hotel striking shark's fin off the menu, as well as sea bass and blue tuna.I really feel that this is the right thing to do.Why you ask?I know shark's fin is mouth- watering and all, but the ugly side of this,is that it endangers the population of117 species of sharks!This affects the biological food web of the sea and ultimately us.It's cruel how fishermen treats these sharks, they cut of their fins and after that ,throw them back to the sea.The worst is yet to come,after that,they will either bleed to death or drown as the essential part of their body(fin)that gives them the ability to swim is removed from them.It could also attract other sharks and predators in the ocean.This hotel also has other environmentally friendly projects that include recycling 20000 kg of waste materials and to save water ,guests that are staying for a least 2 days can ask roomkeepers to make their bed without using fresh linen daily.MOre of us should consider going to this restaurant or hotel not only for these reasons, but it also provides organic and healthy food for us to dine.I hope that more hotels and restaurants could develop the same idea and more actions should be taken on environmental issues.

Almost there!

Hi, it's been quite a while since i last posted my message.Busy preparing for examinations,but i'm almost there!By next thursday,i would be done with it!Tommorow, some of my text results would be released!Feeling rather nervous actually.I've made many friends already, and i love going to school seeing miss gordan,mrs chan,mr yong and all my friends!Learning in my school has been really fun,ganing more knowledge.Oh well, back to doing my work.Hope you had fun in your weekends!Bye!And remember, be positive!

Changes made?

HI everyone!Have you noticed something different about my blog?Yes!I changed my the colour of my background and the writing text.Thanks for the comment Zamen!My first comment on my blog!Zamen suggested that my blog was a little boring, so i took his advice,and changed my blog.I hope the changes i made would be effective,attracting more viewers and more comments.Thanks Zamen!

Going to a great dinner!

Hey guys,wonder why I'm blogging so early?Well my parents are bring us over to my father's friend's house!You might think"Why so excited?"Well,i get along very well with my father's friend's children !I'm sure it will be a great dinner,lots of fun and games.I can also say that it's a good time for me to take a break after a long and exhausting week!My tutor always say not have high expectations of oneself,or one may mentally break down.She tells me to relax and give yourself a little reward for an acomplishment, this will encourage me to strive harder .Oh well, i need to go,and please everyone, posts some comments!i have not seen a single comment or viewers!I hope my efforts of blogging are not wasted as no one gets to appreciate it.Bye!

Exams!

Are your exams around the corner?Well, mine is!I do feel a little stress,but i can cope with the stress.How?You ask, my methodof coping with stress would be putting aside the work , the pressure and just close my eyes for 10 seconds and think about happy things,for me , I think of Chinese New Year and Christmas.All the fun I had during these times,If i still feel distressed, i would take a walk around the garden or watch some Television.Never give in to peer pressure,and resort to foolish ideas of commiting suicide or other things that could harm you just because you feel distressed.Talk to someone, your teachers or parents.Just take exams as a review of what you have learnt!If you didn't do well in them,do not fret!Take Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton for instance,they both did badly in school when in our age!But what did they achieve?Great breakthroughs and discovery in Science!As long as you don't give up,you can have a good life ahead like the two scientists I mentioned.Well i have to get back to my studies now......Bye!And remember .NEVER GIVE IN TO PEER PRESSURE!

How's your weekend?

Hi guys,today's sunday,don't you feel bored ?The weekends have just passed,and tommorow 's school again!If you're feeling distress or frustrated,CHEER UP!Although it's sunday,you'll get to see your friends again!Which means fun and excitement for me!Anyway, I'm sorry for the fact that my blog seems dull,i'm still learning on how to improve and edit my blog.How about this,if you have any advices,why don't you comment on it!Oh wait... I still don't have a comment box or whatever you call it.My weekend was great,I went to my friends house on saturday and had lots of Fun. My mother just arranged another great party!It involves singing of some chinese new year songs,i kept singing even though all the others went to puke after hearing my singing!(No joke!!!!!!!)All right now it's getting pretty late now,and there goes my mom nagging again.Bye now!!!!!!!!