Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Save up your money for someone
Check out www.heifer.org
Go to their gift catalog... Anyone wanna share with me to pay for a trio of rabbits for some farmer out there? It cost US$60. It can be a Christmas gift.
Geez, since I started attending lessons at School Of Thought, I've become more emotional about poverty.
"Poverty is hunger. Poverty is lack of shelter. poverty is being sick and not being able to see a doctor. Poverty is not being able to go to school and not knowing how to read. Ppverty is not having a job, is fear for the future, living one day at a time. Poverty is losing a child to illness brought about by unclean water. Poverty is powerlessness, lack of representation and freedom. Poverty has many faces, changing from one place to place and across time... Most often, poverty is a situation people want to escape. So poverty is a call to action - for the poor and the wealthy alike - a call to change the world so that many more may have enough to eat, adequate shelter, acess to education and health, protection from violence, and a voice in what happends in their communities." - World Bank
You have two choices now, you can harden your heart and go on with your life or truly think about what you can do to help. For simple starters, caring for the environment helps alleviate poverty because the poor are extremely dependent on their land for economic support. We can all do something.
Go to their gift catalog... Anyone wanna share with me to pay for a trio of rabbits for some farmer out there? It cost US$60. It can be a Christmas gift.
Geez, since I started attending lessons at School Of Thought, I've become more emotional about poverty.
"Poverty is hunger. Poverty is lack of shelter. poverty is being sick and not being able to see a doctor. Poverty is not being able to go to school and not knowing how to read. Ppverty is not having a job, is fear for the future, living one day at a time. Poverty is losing a child to illness brought about by unclean water. Poverty is powerlessness, lack of representation and freedom. Poverty has many faces, changing from one place to place and across time... Most often, poverty is a situation people want to escape. So poverty is a call to action - for the poor and the wealthy alike - a call to change the world so that many more may have enough to eat, adequate shelter, acess to education and health, protection from violence, and a voice in what happends in their communities." - World Bank
You have two choices now, you can harden your heart and go on with your life or truly think about what you can do to help. For simple starters, caring for the environment helps alleviate poverty because the poor are extremely dependent on their land for economic support. We can all do something.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
the growing gay movement
I'm absolutely torn between the issue of rights and dignity versus my Christian beliefs.
The Bible clearly states that homosexuality is an abomination in God's eyes. Forgive me, i'm not sure where it states that though. But it just is! Although people these days downplay the gravity of sin, sin gives birth to spiritual death. It doesn't just apply to homosexuality, but also to rage, jealousy, anger and murderous thoughts.
On the other hand, it is assumed in this "enlightened" age that everyone ought to have rights and in no way should the State rob that of anyone. Imagine if you weren't allowed to celebrate Christmas because Christians were hated? Likewise, to the homosexuals, the banning of anal sex robs them of their basic dignity, despite contributing economically to this nation. [they earn a lot you know, because gays are highly sought-after creative individuals..]
But at the end of the day, we all have to be accountable before the Lord. Blessed are those hold His word and commandments precious to their hearts, NOT by being legalistic but full of love.
My only concern is that religious people, especially Christians, get all fiery and judgemental, thus creating a bad impression of our perfect Jesus before others. Don't do that.
The Bible clearly states that homosexuality is an abomination in God's eyes. Forgive me, i'm not sure where it states that though. But it just is! Although people these days downplay the gravity of sin, sin gives birth to spiritual death. It doesn't just apply to homosexuality, but also to rage, jealousy, anger and murderous thoughts.
On the other hand, it is assumed in this "enlightened" age that everyone ought to have rights and in no way should the State rob that of anyone. Imagine if you weren't allowed to celebrate Christmas because Christians were hated? Likewise, to the homosexuals, the banning of anal sex robs them of their basic dignity, despite contributing economically to this nation. [they earn a lot you know, because gays are highly sought-after creative individuals..]
But at the end of the day, we all have to be accountable before the Lord. Blessed are those hold His word and commandments precious to their hearts, NOT by being legalistic but full of love.
My only concern is that religious people, especially Christians, get all fiery and judgemental, thus creating a bad impression of our perfect Jesus before others. Don't do that.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Love for myself or nation?
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee... the citizens of Singapore...well, you know the rest.
Alex and I had a mini debate about the government and policies. CHEEM right? I must say you had be quite intellectual to understand. Alex is a history freak and knows way more about Singapore and world history than I do, so debating with him was no mean feat. So i had to bluff some of my way through.
Me: Why are you anti-government?
Alex: There is no total freedom of speech and there many atrocities the government has done, especially YOU-KNOW-WHO, which are unknown to the public. Many of the major companies are state-owned. [Briefly: we all learn in economics that it's bad when companies are state-owned.] Eg, Singtel, Mediacorp, indirectly SPH, Temasek Holdings who has a 20% share in SIA, which is ironically supposed to be private, etc.
Me: Please open your eyes to see, firstly, there's no perfect government in the world. Total freedom of speech, which is essentially an American concept, does has its downside. Does it really matter that you know you have the right to stand in front of Istana or some state building and shout, 'You suck!'? Surely there are more constructive ways for us to vent our anger? Take away the government's influence from the media and you can forget about having free-to-air channels anymore. [ok, i didn't say this ytd, but it just occurred to me] Who knows, pornograpic channels will be widely available on screen after ten, which is not uncommon in Western counties?!
ALex: ...
Ok, i win. HAHAHAHAHA.
But he had some really good points. He had a lot of concern for the poor, who are experiencing depressing wages. OK, let's first defined poor. According to Mr Tong, the poor in singapore are way more fortunate than the poor in other countries. Even though the singapore poor suffer somewhat, at least they have a roof over their heads! If you have time, go youtube and type in worldvision. Look for a video that is filmed in Laos. Children at the age of 5 walk miles EVERYDAY just to take water and beg.
My dear friends, let's all learn to look beyond the hedge we have built around ourselves. When was the last time you felt compassion for someone? Not someone who has lousy grades or stay in a 3-room flat, but someone who finds it hard to live through the day. And about the government... let's face it, we can't do much about it. For now. except to pray for them.
Alex and I had a mini debate about the government and policies. CHEEM right? I must say you had be quite intellectual to understand. Alex is a history freak and knows way more about Singapore and world history than I do, so debating with him was no mean feat. So i had to bluff some of my way through.
Me: Why are you anti-government?
Alex: There is no total freedom of speech and there many atrocities the government has done, especially YOU-KNOW-WHO, which are unknown to the public. Many of the major companies are state-owned. [Briefly: we all learn in economics that it's bad when companies are state-owned.] Eg, Singtel, Mediacorp, indirectly SPH, Temasek Holdings who has a 20% share in SIA, which is ironically supposed to be private, etc.
Me: Please open your eyes to see, firstly, there's no perfect government in the world. Total freedom of speech, which is essentially an American concept, does has its downside. Does it really matter that you know you have the right to stand in front of Istana or some state building and shout, 'You suck!'? Surely there are more constructive ways for us to vent our anger? Take away the government's influence from the media and you can forget about having free-to-air channels anymore. [ok, i didn't say this ytd, but it just occurred to me] Who knows, pornograpic channels will be widely available on screen after ten, which is not uncommon in Western counties?!
ALex: ...
Ok, i win. HAHAHAHAHA.
But he had some really good points. He had a lot of concern for the poor, who are experiencing depressing wages. OK, let's first defined poor. According to Mr Tong, the poor in singapore are way more fortunate than the poor in other countries. Even though the singapore poor suffer somewhat, at least they have a roof over their heads! If you have time, go youtube and type in worldvision. Look for a video that is filmed in Laos. Children at the age of 5 walk miles EVERYDAY just to take water and beg.
My dear friends, let's all learn to look beyond the hedge we have built around ourselves. When was the last time you felt compassion for someone? Not someone who has lousy grades or stay in a 3-room flat, but someone who finds it hard to live through the day. And about the government... let's face it, we can't do much about it. For now. except to pray for them.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Meet Mr Chan...
This happened last friday, after my graduation in vj.
Just as i was chatting away with Charles, sipping the chin chao drink he bought for me, I spotted Mr Chan, the principal of vj.
Me: Mr Chan!
Chan: Yes, what can i do for you?
Me: Oh, well, nothing really. Just thought of having a conversation with you, since I've never had one before, especially since this is the last day of school.
[i saw Charles taking a double-take]
Chan: Oh my, you're so sweet! sure.
[so he came to seat with us]
So i talked to him for another 15 mins, told him that he did give a really good message for our farewell assembly. Something about the Little Prince.. At the end, because Serene was waiting for me and refused to join us,
Me: Mr Chan, i have to go. I'm Anna, do remember me. :)
Chan: I can't promise you that but i'll try.
You know, he really looked pleased at how mature i was being. (muahaha) It took me a lot of courage to call him out because I don't remember ever doing something like that. Great leaders are people who will mingle with their followers, if they can, and I'm glad vj has a great principal. So if you ever feel you'd just like to have that impossible chat with a certain someone, why not give it a shot?
Just as i was chatting away with Charles, sipping the chin chao drink he bought for me, I spotted Mr Chan, the principal of vj.
Me: Mr Chan!
Chan: Yes, what can i do for you?
Me: Oh, well, nothing really. Just thought of having a conversation with you, since I've never had one before, especially since this is the last day of school.
[i saw Charles taking a double-take]
Chan: Oh my, you're so sweet! sure.
[so he came to seat with us]
So i talked to him for another 15 mins, told him that he did give a really good message for our farewell assembly. Something about the Little Prince.. At the end, because Serene was waiting for me and refused to join us,
Me: Mr Chan, i have to go. I'm Anna, do remember me. :)
Chan: I can't promise you that but i'll try.
You know, he really looked pleased at how mature i was being. (muahaha) It took me a lot of courage to call him out because I don't remember ever doing something like that. Great leaders are people who will mingle with their followers, if they can, and I'm glad vj has a great principal. So if you ever feel you'd just like to have that impossible chat with a certain someone, why not give it a shot?
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Physics. Love it or Hate it.
Q17. The temperature of 1 kg of hydrgen gas is the same as that of 1 kg of helium gas if
A) the gases have the same internal energy
B) the gas molecules have the same root mean square speed
C) the gas molecules have the same mean translational kinetic energy
D) the gas molecules occupy equal volumes
The above is an MCQ Physics qn from a revered, elite junior college's Prelim Paper 2007. Don't worry, it's not from mine. It's probably the easiest question I would find in the whole MCQ paper already, yet the question is full of scientific jargons, which i'll totally forget in 6 months. Can you imagine tackling another 39 such questions for A's? In 1 hour 15 mins??? Well, I can and i did it (for my own prelims), and I have no idea how i survived it, suffice to say that it must have been by God's grace.
Physics is probably the easiest scoring paper ever, unless you're a math freak, cos math CAN be easy to score too. But physics is one subject I'll never really understand beneath it's A level's surface. Heck, I'm already having trouble trying to make sense of the syllabus. Anyway, physics is all about formulaes.. And when you put in some common sense, tada, there you've got the answer, without knowing how you did it. [this is how i feel most times when i'm doing physics! it's a terrible feeling, doing something you don't know!]
If you haven't made sense about what I'm trying to say, it's alright. At least now, you'll understand how i feel sometimes. The answer for the above qn is C, did you get/guessed that right?
A) the gases have the same internal energy
B) the gas molecules have the same root mean square speed
C) the gas molecules have the same mean translational kinetic energy
D) the gas molecules occupy equal volumes
The above is an MCQ Physics qn from a revered, elite junior college's Prelim Paper 2007. Don't worry, it's not from mine. It's probably the easiest question I would find in the whole MCQ paper already, yet the question is full of scientific jargons, which i'll totally forget in 6 months. Can you imagine tackling another 39 such questions for A's? In 1 hour 15 mins??? Well, I can and i did it (for my own prelims), and I have no idea how i survived it, suffice to say that it must have been by God's grace.
Physics is probably the easiest scoring paper ever, unless you're a math freak, cos math CAN be easy to score too. But physics is one subject I'll never really understand beneath it's A level's surface. Heck, I'm already having trouble trying to make sense of the syllabus. Anyway, physics is all about formulaes.. And when you put in some common sense, tada, there you've got the answer, without knowing how you did it. [this is how i feel most times when i'm doing physics! it's a terrible feeling, doing something you don't know!]
If you haven't made sense about what I'm trying to say, it's alright. At least now, you'll understand how i feel sometimes. The answer for the above qn is C, did you get/guessed that right?
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Prelims
Prelims ended 2 weeks ago and I have gotten back all my results already. Thank and praise God for everything cos I did pretty well. To me, doing well has never got to do with just getting As or Bs but rather whether there has been an improvement for the last test.
GP - D ( I so need a breakthru' in GP!)
Math - A
Chem - B
Physics - A
Econs - C
My Pharmaceutical Chem (H3) was crazily poor, i had 19.5/100. Teachers are suggesting to students to be absent from this exam. But somehow, even though I'll most probably fail this paper, I still wanna take it because it's just a matter of a try. It's not that I hate pharm chem either because it's extremely difficult, and if anything, i've learnt some interesting stuff out of it.
Prelims was a good period of time for me, in which I studied hard and felt quite prepared for most papers. For this, i truly give God all the glory. :)
GP - D ( I so need a breakthru' in GP!)
Math - A
Chem - B
Physics - A
Econs - C
My Pharmaceutical Chem (H3) was crazily poor, i had 19.5/100. Teachers are suggesting to students to be absent from this exam. But somehow, even though I'll most probably fail this paper, I still wanna take it because it's just a matter of a try. It's not that I hate pharm chem either because it's extremely difficult, and if anything, i've learnt some interesting stuff out of it.
Prelims was a good period of time for me, in which I studied hard and felt quite prepared for most papers. For this, i truly give God all the glory. :)
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