SM3 2009 - Group 3

Zimbabwe 'seeks jail crisis aid

2009-06-06T23:38:00.000-07:00

A TV documentary was shot over months recently in South Africa. It reveals a shocking secret that how lots of inmates in Zimbabwe die of hunger and disease. Moreover, this film also showed countless graves in the jails. Because everything was open wide to public, I think maybe the government can not cover up its embarrassment any more. But the new government did not make any comments on the film. They shifted the blame to the previous government. Only the prime minister explained they had urged donors and trading partners to back the government and he said the government had made a significant progress even though it is small within the following six weeks.

The news also describes the atrocious conditions in the jail. As what a prisoner said, the sick and healthy had to sleep side by side in an overcrowded and extremely dirty cell. As what the film showed, the prison stuff had already changed the cells to “hospital wards”.
Worse still, a mortuary had built with the prison’s grounds and you can see many rotted bodies on the ground and there are many maggots moving on the bodies.

According to the film, there are 55 prisons in Zimbabwe. To my astonishment, they only have a capacity to hold 17,000, but over 35,000 lives in these prisons.

I think the prime minister really can not cope with these problems. He can just tell the world this is a good opportunity for the west to invest.

However, even though they appeal to the west to give them help, the countries like UK can impossibly help them, because they can benefit nothing from Zimbabwe. Maybe China can do something because for such a developing country like China, at least the international advocate can help establish a good status. Actually, that is just what China is doing now.

Progress

2009-06-03T18:20:00.000-07:00

I think I have changed a lot during my bridging course. Most of the people around me now are new friends who may not notice the change, however, I myself cannot pretend. I used to prefer silence and loneliness -- had my lunch, waited the school bus, slept in the library after lunch and woke up to fearfully look at the darkness outside-- all by myself. I did enjoy it.

However, coming to Singapore, I was pushed to make a change, otherwise, I might feel that I could not match the blazing sunshine and the bright sky here. If I kept donging things by myself in this strange environment, I always found that great stress was put on me, as if I was going to make a big mistake the next minute and had to repeat to say sorry. On the contrary, staying among all my sincere friends made me feel carefree and secure. They are sunny and smart, sometimes they like to act like spoiled children with exaggerating expression. Life is on its way to be simple and happy, which makes me believe that life loves the liver of it.

I wrote a letter to my old friend to tell her that I had changed and was very confused if changes were always good. She said that I used to sit on a hard rock in the deep sea, like a log, and now I got into a large bubble and could float, so I should walk around and sun myself. I think she is right again.

I am still leaning to satisfy, and I have made slow progress. I know I am showing progress, so I feel quite satisfied-- then I progress again.

Thanks, my dear new friends.

If I should see you，after long year.
How should I greet, with tears, with silence.
　　——George Gordon Byron
　　

The Legendary Bridging Course and Group 3

2009-06-02T21:41:00.000-07:00

Actually, I had over-finished my blog writing two weeks ago. This week, because of the variety show and post-test, I decided to give up the last blog entry. But after reading Liusi’s blog, I have a strong desire to make a summary, or just write down some feelings about the whole intensive English training course and the relationship we have built up with cooperation and sincerity.
Frankly speaking, I had high expectations about improving my English for this course at the beginning of it. Gradually, it is a pity that I found my progress in English was not as fast as I expected. But soon I also found that I have learnt a lot which I cannot get access to through books, video tapes or, generally speaking, academic studying. I came to know many new friends who have distinctive talents, including Chinese students and Singaporeans. I learnt how to cooperate with partners and how to share your genuine feelings with others. At the beginning of the bridging course, I always tended to keep silent in class and listen carefully to what the tutor is teaching, as what I did in high school. Soon I realised that if one never speak up in class, no one would know what is in his or her mind and others will not be concerned with the person. So I began to try my best to express myself clearly and with a strong stand in class. I felt very satisfied to talk or discuss with everyone in class.
Then I began to know the purpose of this bridging course deeper and deeper gradually. It is called Bridging Course and the subtitle is intensive English course for PRC students. So either officials of MOE of the coordinators in NUS focus their concentration on how to make us assimilate into this new environment as soon as possible. We need to be familiar with people here, the agenda of daily life, the ideology of the whole society and especially, to make ourselves at home. So I think we should still appreciate this bridging course as much as we can, although it failed some of us’s expectation. Through the course, we knew more about Singapore and its people. Once we have mingled quite well with the locals and adapted in to the system here, we can find a lot of opportunities to improve our language. It is a long way to go, but the effect in the long run will be a big surprise for us.
Incidentally, it is really a wonderful experience to have studied in Group 3. We have a lot of talented people here and it is not exaggerated that we are one of the most excellent groups. The legendary group 3 is the stuff of legend in the history of CELC.
Hope to keep in touch with all of you after matriculating in NUS.

Bookworm, me?

2009-06-02T01:36:00.000-07:00

On Monday, our dear vice principal Ms. Nora gave me a astonishing comment. She said,"You are a bookworm, rather than a sporty guy". I said:"Do not judge a person by his appearence", whereas she replied,"I am just telling the truth".

How could it be? Why have I made such an impression on her? What is worse, maybe there is not only her who think I am a bookworm! I think it is quite necessary to make a clarification for myself.

According to the Merriam-Webster's 11th Collegiate Dictionary, bookworm means the person who devotes all himself to reading. To be honest, I am not that reject to the word. However, what I want to shed light on here is that I do not dedicate myself to reading. My motive of reading is not finding joy or comfort, and why I want to read is somehow out of utilitarianism. In order to make me more competent in the challenging university life, I have to equipe myself with some special knowledge. Due to this reason, I often read some books that some of you think is too difficult. Judging from this, I cannot be a bookworm.

Besides, I often exercise after school, especially playing basketball. As a result, I have a relatively robust body. Thus, it is hard to say that I am a bookworm.

Anyway, what Ms. Nora said at least has proved one thing, that is, I am not that lazy during the bridging course. This is a reward to me, and I do appreciate that she said this!

Dear all

2009-06-01T18:29:00.000-07:00

For a long time, I have been expecting the holiday after the prolonged bridging course. When the variety show is finally around the corner, which marks the end of the intensive training in listening, speaking, reading, writing, and project work, I realized something will be changed forever.
During past 21 weeks, each day, the twenty students discovered more about their classmates, step by step, from strangers to friends. Not only in school, we also developed friendships in hostel through various activities: project work, variety show, basketball, badminton, table-tennis… We played as a team. We experience the trust-building process. Most of us take our small SM3 community for granted without realizing that after enter NUS, we will no longer have the chance to meet so many like-minded Chinese friends. By the time we are scattered in different faculties we will miss the time when our friends keep us company. I hope the friendship we took so long to build can be maintained throughout the difficult four years in college.
In retrospect, I am sorry I did not keep my promise in the very beginning. I did not try my best. There was always something that drag me down. Sometimes it was about relationship, sometimes it was confusion about my life direction or disappointment of myself. However, I am lucky enough to have friends and tutors to turn to during the downturns. I really appreciate the concerted efforts of our tutors to motivate us to gain competence in the English language. Each tutor has its unique characteristics. On Monday, we have Ms Nora, who always brings laughter to the whole class. But when it comes to work, she is strict. On Tuesday, it is Ms Lun. I am most impressed by her sense of obligation to help us understand more about life besides academic knowledge. Then, On Wednesday, we have Ms Leo and Ms Sonali. Ms Leo is famous for her critical thinking and emphasis on reasoning and creativity. The whole class adore her. Sometimes we are a little bit afraid of her, for she frequently challenging our thoughts which Chiese teachers never did to us. Ms Sonali is very kind and considerate. Then, Mr Ng, a lovely old man who spoke perfect Chinese. Ms Lun asked us to write to our tutors and classmates, I have a lot to say, but do not know where to begin. In short, I will just say: I love all of you!

Sophia and the Story Behind

2009-05-31T21:30:00.000-07:00

Sophia is not a girl. Sophia is not a hotel. No, things cannot be that boring, because Sophia is a band. I started to have undying love for the band since December, 2006—in a harsh and bleak winter—when I first touched one of its albums called people are like seasons.

K, my high school soul mate, introduced the band and lent the album to me. The album was kind of love token to him because K bought the CD with his ex-girlfriend. As a matter of fact, I did not think, at that time, students like us were buying CD; instead, what we were doing in the shabby CD shops was more likely to be spending a whole afternoon using our own Walkman to “test” boxes of old CD, most of which came from USA and Europe and only had one copy in the box. We had confidence in our taste for music and could immediately distinguish our own type of music the moment we pressed the play button. Not many students had this kind of access to music and that was partly why we found it so cool. Hundreds of CD walked onto my shelf, as well as K’s. We were willing to exchange our treasures because we were looking forward to each other’s affirmative feedback on the CD and we knew each other even better than ourselves

Back to Sophia, it really killed me. How could it be so perfect, so spotless and so seductive? I loved every single song in people are like seasons. I loved every haunting melody and every word in the lyrics. I even loved the design of the cover and its paper wrap. I listened to Sophia day and night, sometimes under the foolish delusion that the earphone had fused and merged in my ears. K felt proud that I like it as much as he did, and so did I.

At that time, my small room was a big mess with CD here and there. Maybe that was why I lost it. It should have been in my Walkman because there was no need to put it elsewhere since I listened to Sophia all the time. However, what was left for me, was its beautiful, empty wrap. I immediately realized I would never allow myself to tell K that I lost it. He would not be angry at me anyway, but I dared not to take the risk of facing his disappointed eyes and the endless blaming of myself.

I decided to try, sink or swim. And it turned out to be the first time when I got to know how powerful manpower could be. I asked all my friends who seemed to have a small collection of CD if they had ever bought or encountered Sophia’s people are like seasons. They said no. However, I did not expect that several days later my friends’ friends came to me, “Hey, you have many CD? Do you know Sophia’s album? One of my friends’ friends lost hers.” I was even more grateful when I heard the shopkeeper’s confusion about why recently many students asked for an unknown band, called Sophia.

If we kept trying, it was possible that I finally found another and gave it to K, as if nothing had happened. However, I forgot K was also one of those friends, and a rather important and smart one. Definitely, he was asked. Definitely, he was the last one to be fooled in the world.

He called me and said if I really liked it, I could keep it as long as possible. I asked how long the longest was. He said as long as I was fond of it. I said thanks and really meant it.

K was a boy with few words, but the few words he said on the phone conveyed a lot. He did not deliberately pretend, though it sounded so, yet, successfully let me know that he knew what was going on. No embarrassment. No tension. No blame and no lie. He just naturally released me.

Indeed, people are like seasons, changing all the way to die. However, I am bent on listening to CD and will carry on regardless of all the advanced approaches to listen to music (mp3? mp4? mp5?), hoping that I could be taken a trip down memory lane when we could easily forgive and happily sing along.

Experiencing Service Learning

2009-05-31T17:42:00.000-07:00

Frankly speaking, I had no experience of volunteering work. When I enter my name for the service learning program, I hardly knew where I would be going.
This morning, together with less than 40 SM3 students, I take the first step towards volunteering training. In our first session of the learning program held in a national park, we were told that we would be visiting youths who are addicted to drug use and those who have “problems” in the society because of their broken family. We will also get a chance to do a project about water conservation.
The trainers from Mindpower Innovations PTE.LTD remind us at the very beginning of the program that we are undertaking an arduous task to bring smiles back to the face of those less privileged. Most girls, from my observation, had a subtle change in their facial expression when they heard the word “drug addicts”. I was also a little bit worried about my personal safety. Anyway, I told myself, it is a chance for you to correct your stereotype and make a difference to people who are in need.
In the first section of training, we played several games:
Butter hill
Hula
Paper cut
Electric wire
Human knot
NASA spaceship puzzle

These games are designed to cultivate our servant leadership. To achieve the goals in these games, we cannot succeed as individuals. The idea is to make us recognize the importance of community-building. We should learn the skill to listen to others’ suggestions, the skill to persuade and grow as a whole group. I find it most helpful, for it emphasize on things that we Chinese students used to neglect, such as healing, empathy and trusting relationship.
We were also asked to reflect on our strengths and weaknesses after playing and give assessment on our individual ability. From the game Butter hill. I learned that I should never be ashamed to ask for others’ support. Girls generally have less advantage over tasks requiring much physical strength. So we largely depend on boys. In the Hula games, I learned that communication within a team is crucial. You should not only understand your teammates’ needs, but also let them know clearly what kind of cooperation you need. In the paper cut section, I realize there should always be someone to stand out to propose an idea. In one game, I was assigned to stand by to overlook our human knot. It turned out that I was completely useless, for I had no ability to develop an overall view of the puzzle and was unable to suggest how to solve the knot.
Throughout the day, I really discovered a lot about myself. The service learning training program is beyond my expectation. I am looking forward to the next session!

forever

2009-05-31T17:39:00.001-07:00

Group 3 forever
Wait until the 200th blog appears.
Finally, bridging course is to an end. I have been eager to go to university since I came to Singapore. After all, my high school classmates all became my seniors.
6 hours a day, 4 days a week, we spend five months in CELC. The room is too narrow and the light is so dim; together we learnt with our tutors. Sometimes it shined and sometimes it shit, whatever, we should wait in a lousy queue (if there was) for lousy buses. Learning to debate, learning to play jokes on others, learning to give nickname, we spent our Mondays; studying literature, words, grammar and etiquette, we went through Tuesdays; “do you follow what I am trying to say?” “What is your point?” accompanied us and taught us critically thinking in Wednesday mornings; that afternoon was devoted to word puzzles and talk and writing; so many newspapers and fresh things were in Thursdays. Every teacher has special character and so does every student.
It was a pity that our class have never got together to do something meaningful. However, variety Show is a good opportunity; A visit to Ms Lun’s can also be a relief.
Exited about future and feeling pity for our separating, we will spend the next few days. Good luck, everyone.

Bitterest Christmas Day

2009-05-31T01:49:00.000-07:00

“Have you decided, Steve?”
“Yes, indeed. I love Houston. I would like to play for it.”
“Actually, Vancouver is not bad, isn’t it?”
“Come on, you want me to be a popsicle.”

On August 27th, 1999, Steve Francis, who was No.2 pick rookie, refused to play for the Vancouver Grizzlies which has chosen him already. Eventually, he was traded to Houston which he had been yearning for day and night.

This boy, wearing a cap with Houston Rocket badge, promised proudly, “I will bring this city glories and prides. Francis did all his best to carry out his promise. He fought for Houston Rockets for 5 seasons, with 7226 points, 2295 rebounds and 2381 assists in total. Moreover, he was the second Houston Rockets player that had been selected to play in NBA All-star Game. Most importantly, In 2002 NBA rookies draft, he helped Houston pick Yao Ming, who was No. 1 pick that year. In fact, that was not a good thing for himself.

Yao should thank God for sending himself a “Big Brother”. Steve is a guy who is loyal to friends and has overall interest on mind all the time. However, supposing you are the big brother and leader of the team without controversy, then a seven feet six inches big guy with a heavy oriental accent came to your team and everybody told you, “Hey, buddy, we all understand what you have contributed to our team. You are really something but for now we must run our team based on the interest of that big guy, so you need to make change for him.” What are you going to do?

That is what Francis did: On the court, he changed his style, passing the ball to the inside as more times as possible to perform “Inside-out” tactic which he was good at. After the match, he accompanied Yao to do shopping, taught him English and invited Yao to parties and camps. When Stoudamire dunked over Yao’s head, roaring to Yao’s face, it was Steve, exploding with anger, who jabbed Stoudamire’s throat with his elbow. “He is my brother! Nobody can bully him. Try it if you dare.” Steve said, vehemently.

Four years later, That Chinese young boy who was protected by Steve before had become the best centre in NBA and the playmaker of Houston Rockets. However, Steve himself had been traded to different teams, warming the bench and being lowly paid.

On the Christmas Eve, Rockets officially declared that 31-year-old Steve Francis would be transferred to Grizzlies for the draft rights of 2011. As for this trade, Francis declared, “I will obey the choice of Rockets unconditionally. Actually, I am surprised that I have to go back to Grizzlies in the end.” Rockets fans criticized the team manager for his acerbity. Yao also expressed that it was sad news. For better or worse, nothing can be changed already. At the reunited evening for every family, a hero fighting for this city before made his way to Memphis.

“I am a real Houstonese for the past, the present and the future.”Steve Francis said.

Imperfect Things are Better

2009-05-31T00:59:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, a king had seven pretty daughters. These seven princesses all had long, beautiful hair. Thus, the king gave each of them one hundred diamond hairpins.
One morning, when the oldest princess waked up, she combed her beautiful hair as usual. Suddenly, she found one of her diamond hairpins was lost. She could not find it anywhere, so she stealingly went to the second oldest princess’ room and stole one of hers.
The second princess found she lost one diamond hairpin, and then she stole one of the third princess’. After that the third princess also took one from her sisters. Then accordingly the forth princess stole her sister’s. The fifth princess took her sister’s diamond hairpin, too. And the sixth princess had to steal the youngest princess’. Therefore, the youngest only have ninety-nine hairpins.
The next day, the handsome prince from neighbor country came and told the king, “Yesterday my naughty lark picked back a diamond hairpin. I think it must be one of your daughters’. I am linked with her by ties of fate, and I will marry her. Which princess lost her princess?” After hearing that, the princess all wanted to say, “It is me, it is me.” But obviously there were one hundred hairpins on their hair. Only the youngest princess came out and said, “I have lost a hairpin.” This was the end of the story. They got married and lived happily with each other.
One hundred diamond hairpins is like a perfect life; if there are only ninety-nine diamond hairpins, it is a imperfect life. Why should we pursue perfection by all kind of kind of means? I think there will be some defects in our lives, which is unavoidable. We should face it calmly. In addition, because of these defects, our imperfect lives will be better.

When we all put on Suit

2009-05-30T21:55:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday, we all put on our suits for the oral presentation in order to look professional and neat. Ms Leo said that our junior should give up wearing suits, but some of us think it is fine to do so. I think it is an interesting and controversial topic to talk about.

Actually, there are several reasons why we wear suits. First of all, we want to seize any opportunities to wear suits. In fact, our seniors advised us to buy suits before coming to Singapore. However, when we have arrived Singapore, there are few chances to wear suits. It must be a waste of money if we do not wear suits for the presentation. In my opinion, it is the most important reason. In addition, in this boring English course, we need some stimulant. It is interesting to see how do our friends look in suits, and we do not want to be the only one in casual clothes. Last but not least, some teachers’ advise. For example, Ms Lim told us we should not wear jeans in the presentation. However, I do not have non-jeans pants except the formal pant, so I had to wear suits.

Although suits helped us to look formal, it also makes us feel uncomfortable. It seems that we must do the presentation perfectly for the sake of the suits. Therefore, we felt more nervous than before.

I think the origin of the issue is the seniors. They should not suggest that strongly. Maybe they can suggest us to buy non-jeans instead of the whole suit. If we encounter an occasion requiring suits later, we can just buy the coat in Singapore.

In a conclusion, when we become seniors, we should suggest our juniors to bring necessary things. Things like suits should not be highly recommended.

See You

2009-05-30T21:17:00.000-07:00

This is the last blog before the final week we are going to spend together. Tracing back to the first day we met each other as a class, I feel it is a amazing process that we change from strangers to friends.

Six month is not a long period, but this 6 month is really special in my life. Though I am gradually sick of English, I feel quite good to spend time with all my classmates. In my mind, each of you is unique. Ms Jenny asked us to write blessings to each other, but before that, I want to let you know what you are in my mind. I’ll rank you according to the capital number.

Fan Xinhan: A potential Un-mainstream boy;
Gao Wenjuan: Looks serious, but a soft girl;
Han Siyang: A cheerful, godlike child who made me feel old;
Hu Junfei: The one who always lack sleep;
Huang Xin: You become slimmer and blacker;
Li Tiefu: A philosopher with angle’s smile;
Li Wenchao: Quiet outside, passion inside;
Liao Ruiqian: An enthusiastic and violent girl;
Liu Yufeng: A Optimistic, handsome and cute boy;
Ma Ruifeng: A kind man, and good luck with Wenchao;
Peng Zhuo: A flying-mind and “innocent” boy;
Ren Xuezhe: A deep man who is full of secret;
Sun Minjie: I’m 2 years older than you!! ;
Wang Liusi: A strong woman, but she’ll never admit it;
Wu wen: I like the way you speak ‘Chinese’;
Yan Han: You shocked me when speak like a machine gun;
Zhang Juzheng: Good gesture when you push your spectacles;
Zhang Liang: A tall and tough man with a young heart;
Zhong Jun: Professor, I like your eyebrow.

When everything is end, we do not say good-bye, but we say see you.

Our Sloth

2009-05-30T20:47:00.000-07:00

Let us look at what most of us may have experienced before:
"Today I have several things to do."
"OK, start with this one."
"I will do it later, break for now."
"Watching TV, surfing the net, chatting..."
"Those assignments can be done tomorrow because I still have time."

Obviously, we gave in to our laziness. In fact, everyone has his own dream. Nevertheless, some of them will go through with their tasks as long as they have set up their mind on the goal whereas some always live in their plan. Unfortunately, for those “well-planned” people, their plan is just a schedule stuck to the wall which is daily changed.

There is a story about boiling frogs: Put a frog into a pot filled with water, and then simmer the frog for a while. The frog was sensitive to tiny changes in temperature. However, he might think it is unnecessary to jump out of the pot at once as a result of his laziness. Eventually, he lost his consciousness and was put on the dining table. If we forgive ourselves without principle, one day our passion for life will die out in indulging ourselves.

Someone said being lazy is a kind of instinct. The instinct is something related to natural tendency. To a certain extent, there exists difference between instinct and laziness. In the dictionary, lazy means having the tendency not to change one’s life and working habit, which is not natural. Why do people not want to change? To fulfill the insatiability is the motivation. Actually, for most people, as long as they can dress warmly and eat their fill, they can always find something to satisfy themselves. Apart from that, before one decides to change, he or she will always make a risk assessment. Nevertheless, under most circumstances, they will subconsciously pay extra attention to the advantages of the change or even overstate the risk. That is why few people choose to take the risk instead of living the same life.

From a medico psychologist’s perspective, laziness is detrimental to mental and physical health. It will weaken people’s adaptation to the environment, leading to premature senility.

In fact, our sloth is a result of helplessness. Because we cannot or do not want to change our lives, we decide to escape from reality. Most importantly, we cannot afford the lapse of time. It is impossible for someone to strive for something if he cannot manage to take charge of himself. Also, our sloth suggests us to gain more rewards with less cost. That is why we extremely lack in initiative. As our laziness is too powerful, lots of things will not be done until we have no other choice.

We cannot forget our sloth, which is our archenemy. We should not trust “sloth”, because tomorrow does not equal to hope. Every day we have “tomorrow”, but we do not have “present”. However, our hope is based on every “present”.

How to overcome our laziness? Take actions! Remind ourselves every now and then. Yes! Take steps now. It is not enough to just set up our mind. Moreover, we need to warn ourselves that if we cannot overcome our laziness, nothing can be done.

Our life is limited, there is no second for each of us to squander. We should live every day as if tomorrow we would end our life. Cherish the moment!

How to Cut Your hair 2

2009-05-30T01:37:00.001-07:00

In my last blog, I have mentioned some basic preparation to cut your hair by yourselves, and in this blog I will tell you some details about it. I have used these skills to help HuangXin cut his hairs, and I feel that these methods are really useful.

1.After you are prepared, use a comb to make your hair stand up and hold a section smoothly between your index and middle finger. You should carefully measure the length of your hair and snip them little by little.
2.If you already have a good hair style and you want to keep it you may cut your hair twice a month, and every time you cut it you should ensure that you cut down the same amount of hairs from all areas of your head.
3.While cutting your hairs, keep a stable sequence so that you would not forget which part you have done. It is not hard to cut your own finger, in which case you cannot cut too fast. Double check to see that the cut feels pretty even and your hair stand upright. If you have curly hair, make sure that your hair will remain longer than your decided length, because curls shrink up quite a bit after they dry.

Before you finish your cutting, make sure you hairs are symmetric. Then you should take care of the rubbishes you provide, when you are clean your body and chair you should make sure that your hair would not block up any drain. After doing all these things, you can walk around and show your friends your new hair style.

Staying Up Late

2009-05-30T00:30:00.000-07:00

Staying Up Late

Through our research, I found that I am not the only one who likes to stay up late in the night. And this adverse habit is specially common among boys. I like to stay up late, nevertheless I do not know why I like to do this.
When I was in China, I always tried to stay up late. However, my parents did not give me the free pass for that. They were worried that staying up late too often may causing procrastination of body booming. As a rebellious teenager then, I always locked my room door and secretly watched movie or played computer game till two or three o’clock in the morning.
Now, I finally get out of the tentacle of my parents', which means I do not have to be bothered by their nags. In the first few months of coming to Singapore, I excitedly stayed up late for every day, or even stay u the whole night. I felt like I finally fulfilled my dream of living without supervision. Out of my expectation, after experiencing staying up late by person, I do not really want to do that any more.
It was a normal staying up for a whole night, playing computer games. The next day, I felt just ok in the morning , nothing abnormal. When it came to the afternoon, something weird happened. I was sitting at my desk and completing my homework. Suddenly, a gale of dizzy hit me, I felt numb in the head for a while. I recovered soon after this. The painful feeling did not end yet. Following the dizzy, sour feeling rapidly creped my whole body like a snake was sliding all over my place and squeezing tightly and tightly. So frightened I was that I went to bed for I do not think I could hold any more seconds. I felt much better after a restorative nap. Rethinking what had happened to me, I started to wonder it was the consequence of accumulative staying up late. I swear to myself I will not stay up that late again.
The genuine detrimental experience alert me for how terrible it is to stay up late. I will never stay up that late, because I know that it does nothing good but damage. Please get rid of living habits and live healthily.

Cloud? Cloud!

2009-05-30T00:17:00.000-07:00

(Last time, I said I’d continue writing something about New Moon. However, I’ve decided to abort the plan. Most of the time, a sequel is not comparable with the original one since the interest and curiosity of the audience has been completely sucked by the original one. So, I must find something new to write about.)

You think I would write the fuzzy intangible agglomeration up in the sky? No way. What I am really going to write about is the down-to-earth technology of cloud computing. Before I came here, my father told me that IBM was negotiating a large contract with our local government to land a “cloud factory” in my hometown, the very first of its kind in China. At about the same time, a new service named document was provided by the new giant Google. It allows people to edit their documents, spreadsheets and slides online. Since then I could see an inevitable trend that all software and even platforms will be provided in the form of “cloud” in the future.

Actually, cloud is a new way of thinking in computing. The concept incorporates infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS) and software as a service (SaaS) as well as other recent technology trends that have the common theme of reliance on the Internet for satisfying the computing needs of the users. Cloud computing services usually provide common business applications online that are accessed from a web browser, while the software and data are stored on the servers. The “cloud factory” mentioned above is a typical example of IaaS. The factory is actually a centre fully equipped with advanced computers to perform grid computing, which allows astronomical data to be analyzed and pocessed within several hours. Google’s new service is a SaaS as it functions just like the software Office provided by Microsoft.

The greatest advantages of cloud computing could be seen in the cost cut and stability. As all the services will be provided online, the capital expenditure will be hugely cut down as the consumption will be based on utility. It means there will be no upfront cost and consumers will only pay for what they have used or the time they have used. Cloud computing largely simulates the displacement of electricity generators by electricity grids early in 20th century. Moreover, the data for common users would be much safer as they are stored on servers instead of PCs, whose stability are really doubtable.

Personally, I am really looking forward to the upcoming service Gdrive of Google, which the beta has already been released. Gdrive will install a virtual drive on your PC and all the documents put in it would be uploaded to Google’s servers. Then you do not need to worry about your data since they are stored on Google’s server. It would be a huge relief for people like me who have experienced breaking-down of the operating system( which equals to the loss of all data in my computer). Though some people are concerned about the privacy problem, I believe it would be solved soon.

Oh! Come on, Gdrive.

Ideal life style

2009-05-28T20:32:00.001-07:00

Ideal life style
Since I came to Singapore, I got to have a clear idea about the so called liberty and democracy. Of course, I am not intended to talk about politics here. What I want to say is where people’s desire lay when living in a democratic and liberal country.
Many people would consider making money as the most important thing that we need to do. According to many economists, this kind of desire can help form a sound system and adjust itself to changes and make progress, thus our economy can develop. However, I think the development of economy is just the methods while not the destination though I agree with Marx that the society tends to become more productive. To put my point of view clear, that is to say, Marx means we all hope a better life which is based on the development of economy, then we try to make a lot of money which, on the whole, will improve the economy, and thus benefit our life; noticing that making money is just a method and being happy is the destination, what if making money itself is not so happy. Analyzing this matter as a whole, we can also say that development of economy’s benefiting our life is not sufficient to conclude that we must have it to be happy. It is necessary but not sufficient.
Then, what is the ideal life style? I mean when people do not have to worry about where to get money. It is a difficult question. Or maybe, when we reached this point, life will be totally nonsense. That is about human telos, which reminds me of EVA. If we really reach the utopia, I think there must be a lot of philosophers.
However, let us focus on the present. We still need to run for money, and we often forget what is most important. For me, I do not want to have much money. I just want to find a girl who is willing to be isolated with others and to be with me. We work while travel around the world. Then find a quiet place to bring up our children. Learn as much as possible, in the whole life. Think of difficult problems, in many areas.
It is too vague and too far to be true. Maybe I myself do not like it when it comes to reality.

learning to swim

2009-05-28T18:41:00.001-07:00

Learning to swim
A few weeks ago, I went to East Coast Park, where there is a big swimming pool. I did not know how to swim at all. I had learnt swimming in China, but never once could I get the idea of how to swim. However, when I saw the pool, I just cannot help wanting to jump into it.
When I really jumped into the pool, I found that the water was sea water and it smelt terrible when mixed with disinfectant. As it was sea water, I wanted to test whether I would float in it or not. Then I found that I floated! I told my friends that when I was in China, I never floated, and I thought it was because of the higher density of sea water that I could float here. They laughed at me and said that it was not a big deal if we compared the density of sea water and pure water. Then I thought maybe I gained fat here.
I found breaststroke the easiest to learn, or rather, easiest for me to keep floating. I had always thought that the force that pushed me forward should come from my pushing away water, and the harder I pushed, the further I would go. However, it did not work. I found myself struggle and stay at the same place all the time. “Why?” I began wondering. Luckily, some little girls who were also learning to swim helped me. I watched them and found that it was when the close their legs that they went forward fastest. I felt embarrassed as I had learnt physics for so many years, and I did not understand where the force came from. Then I tried the way these little girls used, and found myself move forward a few meters! I was so happy and swam all around the pool. After I cooled down, I decided to cover the whole distance without stop. When I reach the middle of the pool, I choked. I dared not give out breath under water and the time my head being above the water was too limited to complete an entire process of breathing. So, when I came to the middle there was no air in my lung. It was time to go, though I do not want to leave.
What a pity I left my learning half-done. However, it was a lot of fun. Besides, there was BBQ waiting for me.

The end

2009-05-28T18:36:00.000-07:00

My first blog begins with the American series “Prison Break”, so I also want to write my opinions of “Prison Break” in the last blog.

After 4 years, Prison Break has ended up with the 22nd episode of the fourth season. It is really a pity that Michel died at last due to the disease after they told the truth to the world with the help of the United Nations and broke the company. In my opinion, it is not necessary to make Michel die. Audiences will be more satisfied if there is a happy ending. If I were the director, I will make Michel work for the United Nations since he is so brilliant. He can make the world better and better. Every year, all the friends of Michel can get together to have a party because they have shared weal and woe for 4 years. I think this is my ideal and perfect ending.

General was sentenced to die. It is so ironic that the scene that the general sat in the electric chair is similar to the scene that Lincoln sat there. We can know that guilty people will get the punishment sooner or later.

I still remember the first time I watched Prison Break. I was deeply attracted by the wisdom of Michel and the relationship between the two brothers, Michel and Lincoln. So I keep on watching Prison Break until it is the end and become the fan of Michel. I adore Michel’s knowledge, reaction in danger and bravery. Nobody can control him except himself. That’s the reason why he can always win the battles. However, actually, the last season is not as good as the first three seasons. Perhaps the director has no idea how to develop. As a result, the plots are not quite relevant to each part. Generally speaking, Prison Break is the most successful series I have ever seen, and it has made a big influence all over the world at least in China.

I will always be the loyal fan of Prison Break, and I am also looking forward to the movie of Prison Break showing in July.

A Tiring Journey

2009-05-28T01:29:00.001-07:00

Last Sunday, I went to Spottiswoode Park Road to see one of my relatives, who was going back to China. I wanted to give her a package to take back home.
The beginning was very bad, for I did not know where to get off the bus. She did not know, either. She told me to ask the bus driver for help. I did what she told me. Looking at the address, the bus driver thought for a while. Then he told me to get off the bus at the People’s Park station. After a while, the minute I saw the People’s Park station, I knew everything went wrong. I got off the bus in the China Town.
I had no choices but phone my relative. She was also surprised that I was in China Town. She asked me to stay at the station and she would come and take me to her home. However, I told her that I would come by myself.
This time I got the bus right and the bus driver also told me the right station to get off. However, he told me the wrong direction. After getting off the bus, I run for a long time, but I still could not find her home. I had to call her again. Then she came and took me to her home.
This journey afflicted me a lot. I regretted travelling in the afternoon. I was almost dehydrated. However, I was also thinking about who to believe. Both of the two drivers gave me the wrong guide. I tried to find how to get there on the Internet, but no good results came out of these efforts. When you could not find the answer or solve a problem, would you believe what the others told you?

Dota

2009-05-25T00:38:00.000-07:00

Dota

Dota is one stream of play in the game Warcraft. Thinking over how contemptuous I was about dota, now, I have already converted myself in this universally-popular trend, being one dotaer. At the beginning of playing dota, it may because I did not have other things to do. Nevertheless, once I start the trip to be more exposed of dota, eventually I find the essential spirit of dota.
First of all, the team spirit of dota is a factor contributing to dota' success. As a hero in dota, you cannot simply carry a team' success only on yourself. Teamwork and tactics are the essence of dota. No matter how undefeatable you are, you still need all your team members and their magic skills so that you will not get trapped. When you are trapped, you need your teammates' help much badly. You will know how stupid it is to neglected your teammates.
Second thing that make dota success is that there are so many characters that you can choose play. As a common sense, you easily get bored for looking at the same character for a long time. In dota, this kind of problem never bothers you. There are more than ninety characters in the game for you to choose and not tot mention for each character he or she has four different skills. You will always find yourself fresh in the dota game.
Last but not the least, the spree of killing and conquer you taste in the dota game is unforgettable. Why war is a thing restricted only for men? I think it is because the bloodshed battlefield is naturally bonded with masculinity. We boys always want to experience excitement. That is why we are fascinated by the killing in the games. That is also why sparing every effort to be the winner in the dota game and conquer the other team driving us to haunt the dota game again and again.
I think I am going to play dota with all of my friends to enjoy the best of the game. As long as you discover the core attracting you, you will start to know the dota game is irresistible.

Metaphors

2009-05-23T01:05:00.000-07:00

Metaphors
I was always been tired of Chinese when I was in China and since metaphor was taught in Chinese classes, I did not like it either. I felt it boring when one said that someone’s face was like an apple or something like that.
I did not change my prejudice on metaphor until I attended a class which taught writing skills. The teacher there seemed to appreciate metaphor as the best criteria to judge whether a person is bright or not. He did gave examples to explain this criteria, that is, Qian Zhongshu could give a metaphor as “partly truth” while we cannot, so we are less bright than Qian. He could not stop since he mentioned Qian, and continued giving all the good metaphors in Wei Cheng. Because of this, I determined to read this book, however, before I finished reading, my friend take away the book and never gave back. He then said that metaphor is important as it tried to find similarities in different things, which, in science, was called creativity. Recognizing the similarities of different things and being aware that similarities could be equal to the same qualities under certain circumstance is the most important abilities required in science. I think he was right to a certain extent.
Then he stopped teaching Chinese and began to philosophize how to improve our creativity. A few methods for inference:
1. Make five metaphors every day. Of course, avoid “face like an apple” or such kind.
2. Make stories and try to complicate the plot.
3. Make combination of certain words which came to mind without thinking.
Actually, I have never tried any of the methods; after all, it was Gao 3 when he delivered this lesson. Maybe it is useful, and making stories in mind can be a cure of the dullness of long journey. So, what is this essay like? (like , because it has 314 words if I do not write this sentence.)

Ignite possibilities

2009-05-21T17:33:00.000-07:00

Ignite possibilities
Recently, NIF（ National Ignition Facility） has built up a facility which will be used to ignite nuclear material. The experiment was said to use 192 beam of laser to focus on a device as big as a pepper bottle. After a series of reaction, laser becomes strong and exact enough to start and sustain a so-called self-sustaining fusion reaction, which is like what happens in the sun or the H-bomb. As is predicted, the temperature created will be as high as 100,000,000 , and the device will act as a men-made sun to provide energy.
I am interested in it, and also the progress, which need many different kinds of crystal to change the laser. There are also a number of technical problems such as making all the beams focus on one point, and deciding the type of laser needed during each procedure. This part is even more difficult than the main procedure. Then I feel that I know nothing about advanced technology and never could one operate a facility like NIF alone. However, I have been stimulated to know the whole procedure of this issue, from what the different kinds of crystal is used for to which kind of material can be a holder of nuclear material.
Come back to the main idea which this news wants to convey, igniting possibilities, and I really see it. I once heard of that if all the people in the world live a life as cosy as Americans, we need 7 earths! That is amazing, and I think the population in the world is really too large. As the global economy is growing rapidly and people’s lives are becoming better and also population keeps growing, we are doing more and more harm to the earth. The earth is in danger, however, the development of science and technology predicts possibilities, possibilities to sustain the life of human beings.
The next step….. We will step!

Thefts

2009-05-20T06:52:00.000-07:00

Life in Eton Hell is not as peaceful as before. Two thefts happened in one month’s time. The first one happened in my room, 108. The second one happened in Room 106.
Several weeks ago, in my room, Xuan Xiaodong’s wallet was stolen. Before the wallets appeared, all of us thought that the wallet was lost. In our eyes, it was just an accident. However, when Cheng Jianpeng was combing his hair, he suddenly found that the wallet was right under his pillow. This triggered a heated discussion. We began to state our opinions about who stole the wallet. After the debate, we reached an agreement. It was someone among us who stole the wallet. Although the wallet was found, 150 dollars were missing. At last, Xiaodong decided not to report to the police. He thought this could ruin a person’s life.
However, in Room 106, a Dell black notebook was stolen this Tuesday. This was quite strange because Xuezhe (But he was sleeping) had been in the room. There were three laptops which could be seen on the desks in the room. It is said that the Dell was the best. On Tuesday evening, Room 106 spared no efforts to find the laptop. Alas, miracle did not happen. They broadcast, “Anyone who finds the Dell, please return it to the reception desk.” Still, nothing happened. At last, they reported to the police. This time, there will be a hard time for the thief (or thieves).
I am wondering who had done the thefts. Many of us think that the thefts are done by someone in the same room. If this was true, there would absolutely be a sensation. And the thief could be deported. However, should we give a chance to him? From my point of view, he shall be punished by law. Sometimes, condoning does not work but indulges crime. It is time to punish the thieves.

NBA Playoffs

2009-05-20T00:14:00.000-07:00

NBA Playoffs

In every May and June, NBA Playoffs must be a heat topic in sports cycle. Now, it is the time for the top basketball shows of this year. Every fan in this world will not resist the temptation of enjoying dozens of amazing games. For our Chinese fans, the star we concern most must be Yao Ming, the 7-feet center in the team Houston Rockets. They are playing in Western Semi Conference versus Los Angeles Lakers leaded by Kobe Bryant, another marvelous Basketball star.
Yao was accused of being insufficient of stubbornness because the way he plays basketball. He is a tall guy, but his most aggressive weapon on the court is jump shot, which makes other underestimate his power. In this serial, he really shows how tough he can be.
In the game 1 of this series, in the fourth quarter, the score is running very close. Neither side of this game can loose even for a second. Kobe was dribbling, hoping to penetrating into the paint. But suddenly, Yao stood in his way, trying to block the way of Kobe's. This was when the tragedy happened. Kobe accidentally bump into Yao in the knee. It so painful that immediately Yao crouched down with two hands holding his knee. We can see how miserable it was by judging from the facial expression of Yao's. After a few minutes, doctors were coming to escort him out of the court for medical check-up. But however, out of expectation, Yao refused. He insisted he should stay in the court and continue fighting with his teammate. At that moments, even the audiences in Staples Center of Los Angeles were deeply touched. They all stood up to give a big applause for this big guy's braveness. They should know that Yao is jeopardizing his knee for the victory of the game. I believe at that moment, fans from all over the world who were watching that game would applause for Yao. At last, with the inspiration from Yao, Houston Rockets beat Los Angeles.
Yao really shows us he can be a tough guy. Even though he behaved unshapely on the court sometimes ( that is because of the ways of playing makes him looks tender, but that does not mean he is really not tough on the court), he is a tough man from inside of him. After all, the strongest part is heart, where all the strength coming from. I admire Yao Ming for that. And good luck for his games.

Knowing about emotional malaise

2009-05-18T21:47:00.002-07:00

At the beginning of the bridging course in February, I was reading the book Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman. I was ashamed to admit that I have not finished it yet. Nevertheless, I truly learned some knowledge for our mental well-being which we Chinese students used to neglect in the past. Look at the following statements and check if you have experience some of them:
●Withdrawal or social problems: preferring to be alone; being secretive, sulking a lot, lacking energy, feeling unhappy, being overly dependent;
●Anxious and depressed: being lonely, having many fears and worries, needing to be protected, feeling unloved, feeling nervous or sad and depressed
●Attention or thinking problems: unable to pay attention or sit still, daydreaming, acting without thinking, being too nervous to concentrate, doing poorly on school work, unable to get mind off thoughts.
●Delinquent or aggressive: hanging around kids who get into trouble, lying and cheating, arguing a lot, being mean to other people, demanding attention, destroying other people’s things, disobeying at home and at school, being stubborn and moody, talking too much, teasing a lot, having a not temper.
I felt sorry after reading some chapters which include self-awareness, self-discipline and empathy and reveal the answer to the question what it means to be smart? The reason why I felt sorry is that though this book was published in 1996, Chinese teenagers have never being exposed to this kind of idea about emotional intelligence. Unlike many western students, back in China in high school ,I personally had no access to these classic psychological books. Our teachers had never introduced these books to us, though Daniel Goleman is already a household name for the westerners.
We are only encouraged to study hard and pursue academic success. However, nowadays, it is impossible to stay highly motivated unless you can distinguish your feelings well and can identify the signals of emotional malaise. Only in this way can we adjust to the modern society and cope with the stress.

Knowing about emotional malaise

2009-05-18T21:47:00.001-07:00

Knowing about emotional malaise

2009-05-18T21:47:00.000-07:00

Receiving a parcel

2009-05-18T21:46:00.000-07:00

April 27
Yesterday, when I was watching the first episode of desperate housewife, my cell-phone rang. It was about 11pm. picking up the phone, I was wondering who would phone so late in the evening. My first guess was my mother. However, the screen showed the name of Auntie Lily, the toughest housemistress of Eton Hall. What on earth could she want from me? I nervously recall if I had done anything violating the holy Eton Hall ground rules. The memory of my coping the whole boarders’ handbook for forgetting to sign out was still fresh. “Wei?” I realize how foolish I was as soon as I said this Chinese word. I should have said. “Hello” “Are you Wang Liusi? Which room are you in?” It took me quite a few seconds to respond for my mind was blanked by the fear of being sent back to China“Yes, I am living in room 320.”Answering in broken sentence, I held my breath and waited for her scorn.
“Go downstairs and collect your parcel”
My parcel? Suddenly I recollected that a friend of mine had promised to send me a toy two weeks ago. But I had never expected it would come so soon. My mind was now filled with joyfulness. I ran down the stairs without realizing what I was doing. It is a delight that beyond words. It is a feeling of struck by the happiness of receiving a letter, a gift from the beloved one by post. It seemed to take a year for me to reach the chairman’s office. Lily was standing by the desk, “ There is your parcel.” She said,pointing to the cornet of the room. Where? I mean Which? It was the first time I received a parcel from China in Singapore and I had no idea the size of it. I moved to the back of the door. There was a large box. Catching a glimpse of the surface, I felt a surge in adrenalin. There I saw clearly, my name on the form. I was surprised by the size of the parcel. I could not wait to open it in my dormitory and run upstairs in such a haste that I almost stumbled myself. When I finally opened it, I found a huge, brown, lovely bear wrapped in a pink transparent paper. Words could not describe my surprise and happiness!

My Hometown

2009-05-18T17:46:00.000-07:00

When talking about my hometown, Yichang, many people may wonder “Where is it?” However when we say the Three Gorges Dam, almost everyone knows it. Actually Yichang is where the dam lies.
The Three Gorges Dam is the world’s largest hydropower project and most notorious dam. It not only reveals natural scenery, but also the technology of modern civilization. This 185-meter high dam spans the Yangtze River, aiming to preventing floods and electric. Viewing from the dam, you will see limpid river water flowing eastwards. It nearly links with the blue sky. Mountains on river banks undulate pleasantly. Islands are scattered all along the river like stars in the sky. It is really a feast for your eyes.
Despite the world-famous dam, there are many other tourist spots for you to enjoy. Interspersed with many rivers and mountains, Yichang provide you an excellent chance to get close to nature and interact with it. Among those rivers and hills, the most famous ones are the Yangze River and the Mingfeng Mountain.
“Mingfeng” in Chinese means “singing phoenix”. The mountain got its name from a huge stone on the top of the mountain which looks exactly like a phoenix singing. It is famous not only for the beautiful scenery but also as a holy place for Taoists. Every year especially on the second day of Chinese New Year, many people would come to climb the mountain with sincere hearts and worship immortals at the top of the mountain. Since the mountain is not very high, trekking to the top is not very strenuous. Breathing fresh air, listening birds singing and enjoying green plants can really release you from the modern world of stress and anxiety.
As a city with more than a thousand years history, Yichang also owns a lot of heritage, for example, the battlefield of the Three Kingdoms and the temple of Wang Zhaojun who was one of the most beautiful women in ancient China.
The places I mentioned above are just parts of where you can visit. More interesting places are waiting for you to explore.

Everything depends on interests

2009-05-18T01:50:00.000-07:00

I was so glad to watch the famous movie Rain Man in our class last week. From the performers to the plot, it is beyond the doubt that this movie has impressed so many people.

This movie was played by two attractive men, Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise. The story started with a quarreling between Charlie (Tom Cruise) and his father’s lawyer about the legacy which he wanted to inherit. However, Charlie’s father gave all his possession as much as 3 million to a sanitarium. Thus, Charlie decided to go there and find the reason. To his surprise, he found his brother Raymond (Dustin Hoffman) there, who was mentally disabled, and of whom Charlie had no impressions at all. In order to get half of his father’s asset and pay off the debt, Charlie determined to take Raymond back to Los Angeles. On the way back, Charlie gradually found that Raymond was his best friend when he was very young, and he called Raymond Rain Man at that time, because of the similar pronunciations. With their affection gradually came back, Charlie finally made up his mind to give up the inheritance and sent his brother back. Raymond, who was a little bit afraid of Charlie at the very beginning, became familiar with Charlie and trusted him.

This is a funny story. However, I have some feelings which were not so positive. That is, everything depends on interests, even affections. There is a situation that Charlie found Raymond’s unbelievably strong ability to memorize, and thus he brought Raymond to Las Vegas to seek their fortune. Fortunately, they won a lot of money so that Charlie could pay off all his debt in time. From then on, they became more intimate.

Just imagine that what if Raymond did not have this kind of ability? No matter how intimate they were when they were very young, Raymond was still a burden to Charlie. We human beings are always practical, and it is not very possible for us to get very close to a person if there is no interest, even the person is your brother. You may say I am too apathetic. However, it is the truth.

All in all, this movie is worth watching, and I hope that you will enjoy it.

Reflection on our project

2009-05-17T17:47:00.000-07:00

I always feel happy during the process of doing our project, although my classmates regard four members of our group, as “poor things” for our supervisor is stricter than theirs. Actually, it is her high expectation that motivates us to try our best. Although we know we are not full-time researchers and cannot do so rigorous project as professional researchers, we are struggling, anyway. Compared to other groups, we have devoted more endeavors to doing it. One example is that our questionnaire was revised at least five times before we distributed them to respondents, although we think it can be improved if we had been given more time.

Cooperation is the most important thing I have learned from our team. I am the researcher of our project and have to do much reading in a short time. Thanks to Juzheng’s help of finding books and supplying useful information, I can finish my task. In editing stage of the project, I help our editor do some graphs for he is not very good at it. I find it important for a team to have equitable distribution of task and then make changes to adjust to new problems turning up, both of which contribute to an efficient team.

Besides that, the sense of belonging also makes me very happy. I notice when discussing, the four of us have changed our frequently used words such as “you should…” to “Maybe we can do like this. Do you have any other ideas?”, which is a sign of that we have learned to respect others’ thought. We can better understand something from different angles. Actually, there are not extremely right or wrong points. We become more patient and are willing to listen to others’ opinion, which is a very good quality for young people.

Last but not least, it is Ms Leo’s high expectation that let me feel we are respected as 19 year-old adults. Many SM3 students told me as their tutors’ saying this project was only a rehearsal of ours following projects as undergraduate students so take it easy. However, Ms Leo told us to try our best once we have decided to do something. As for the background and purpose, I have rewritten twice, and now I am still trying to make it more brief, interesting and persuasive.

I really have learned something I have never learned in China from this project, that is rigorous and scientific attitude and method, from which we will benefit much in the future. It is good for us to accept such thought as early as possible so that we can apply it to our study, which is very useful for critical and creative thinking.

My Watch

2009-05-17T17:46:00.000-07:00

When I found my watch was missing last last Thursday, I felt a pain in my heart. It is not a matter of money but a loss of friend that has accompanied me for 4 years. Maybe I have fetishism. I have tried hard to find it, asking aunties about it, checking my drawer and wardrobe again and again. However, it has not come back. Actually such thing has happened to me three times, but every time I was fortunate enough to find it finally. This time I do not know whether I have the same fortune.

This time I can enjoy a leisured life without checking the time frequently although it is really inconvenient without a watch and I do not have a habit of taking mobile phone with me. I have had a habit of checking what I have done every day at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. before. If I have not finished what I have planned to do, I will be nervous and guilty about wasting time. Now without my watch, the emotional burden disappears. I have felt more relaxed because my watch is missing.

At the same time, I learn to manage my time more scientifically. I am pushed to keep a record of my consumption of time on every daily activity so that my life will not be a mess. I know exactly how much time do I need to wash my face, clean teeth, have breakfast, take a bath and so on. I have to calculate time so that I can “survive” without my watch.

After 8 days of doing so, I have developed a “special” ability of speculating time, which means that I nearly know how much time left or I need when I do something without having to check the time. One example is we had an exam this Friday. I did not take a watch with me. The time allowed was one hour and twenty minutes. When I finished, the chief examiner told us that there were five minutes left, which indicates I distributed the time well. Of course not every time my speculation is exact. However, the magic feeling I have about time makes me really surprised.

My attitude towards time has changed slowly and surely because my watch’s loss. I used to regard time, as my enemy for it was always not enough for me to use. But after I lost my watch, I decide to become its friend. Now I can even feel it passing. I learn to rearrange my schedule to make it more scientific. Thus I do not have to worry about the insufficiency of my time.

So sometimes bad things can turn into good things as long as you treat them with positive attitude and then take action to improve them.

English movie with Chinese subtitle?

2009-05-17T04:22:00.001-07:00

As we doing our research project, I notice that many SM3 students like watching movies when they are free. Then I flash back thinking what I was doing in the free time, only finding that I spent much time watching movies as well. For almost every time, I watched the English movie with the Chinese subtitle, and I notice it was the same with my roommates and some other friends.
If we think over the phenomena, When we watching English movies with Chinese subtitle, it may help to practice our listening, but sometimes we may focus fully on the subtitle to know more clearly what is going on in the movie. In this scene, we are practising Chinese instead of English. Take me for example, when I was watching save private recently, I just involved in the story, getting information from the subtitle, taking in the sound from left ear and then let it out through right ear. The movie is really enjoyable, but little had left in my brain in terms of language pitifully.
I never thought watching a Chinese movie with an English subtitle until I watched a movie component occasionally one day in the bus. However, I found perhaps it would do us a favour for English studying.
When we are watching Chinese movie with English subtitle, we can have some attention on the subtitle, as it is so easy for us to get what is going on in the movie. Then, perhaps we can get some ideas about how to translate daily thoughts form Chinese to English. As time going on, they may do us a favour in forming English thoughts.
How about English movie without any subtitle? I had a try yesterday, finding that I could get the general story except some unimportant details, partly because the voice is quite clear in the movie. Actually, this kind of movies is the closest to the daily communication, as no subtitle is there when we are talking to someone. To me, I think English movie without subtitle is more helpful to our English than English movie with Chinese subtitle and Chinese movie with English subtitle.
Of course, the most helpful movies are the English ones with English subtitle, as we can both hear and see what is going on in the story.
So, just watch some Chinese movies with English subtitle to see if it is helpful to your English, and if it is hard to get English movies with English subtitle, just watch the ones without subtitle. I hope CELC can provide some interesting or latest English movies with English subtitle for our juniors to borrow.

English movie with Chinese subtitle?

2009-05-17T04:22:00.000-07:00

Why Get Married?

2009-05-16T22:16:00.000-07:00

Since our last week’s topic is family and marriage, I would like to share my point of view on marriage. And the most significant question is “Why should we get married?” As for me, there are only four rational reasons to get married.

1. To have babies. Only marriage can legalize giving birth to a baby. As a result, according to law in China, I have to get married before a baby’s coming. However, if I do not want a baby then or I migrate to a country where you needn’t get married to get a baby, I do not have to get married.

2. To get benefits from policies. As is known to all, the government or corporations always give benefits to married couples, such as reducing the tax, privileges when distributing houses. However, if I have enough money, and do not care about the tiny benefits, I do not have to get married.

3. To get the girl’s money. If I get married to a wealthy girl, I might get a sum of money when we divorce just because we were husband and wife before. This may be the quickest way to make money. However, this is so immoral to me and it is hard to find such a wealthy girl to get married. And what if I have more money than her? I will be her target. Therefore, I do not have to get married.

4. To have a wedding. Wedding is almost every girl’s dream, and it is also a way to make money (by receiving red bags) in China. If either of the couple’s parents is somebody in the town, this couple can even earn an apartment just by holding a wedding. This reason sounds delicious. However, I am not a sociable person, and I hate meeting a number of strangers, so I can give up the red bags.

Oops, I do not have to get married.

We are a happy family---mingle with Singaporean students

2009-05-16T21:53:00.000-07:00

This Saturday I was invited to participate in a BBQ meeting held in Riverlife Church by a Singaporean friend. His name is Alan. We came to know each other one month ago when Ms Jenny took us to visit the Riverlife Church. After that Alan always kept in touch with me through SMS or Facebook. He is a really kind-hearted guy and is enthusiastic to make friends with students from China. He is also an NUS student. If you want to know him, you can just ask me and I will invite you as his friend on Facebook. He is very easygoing and if you have some questions about Singapore and its people or your own life in Singapore, you can just go and ask him without any hesitation.
After I got there, I found that they had already begun to prepare the BBQ food. Then a lot of Singaporean students came towards me, consisting undergraduates in NUS and those who are going to NUS together with us in August. They showed kind hospitality and introduced themselves enthusiastically. After that we began to play some interesting games and enjoy the BBQ at the same time. Almost everyone of them talked with me and asked something about China and my life in Singapore. When I just stood in front of them and made a brief report about myself during the game time, everyone was listening with great concentration and cheered for me now and then. But in terms of oral reports in our class, we often get silence, ignoring or even booing. I was deeply impressed by their kindness and hospitality. Frankly speaking, however, I was struck by a sense of regret at that time. I really felt it a pity that we didn’t show the same excitement and kindness to them before. Every time they invited us to join their activity, we just accept them without showing any gratitude or excitement. And we never invited them to join our entertainments. It seems that we tend to stay in the group of students from China and enjoy ourselves on our own. And we always take Singapore friends’ kindness and hospitality for granted.
In my opinion, we should show enough excitement and willingness to mingle with Singapore friends. Most of them are of the same race as us and we almost share the same ancestors. It is very easy to get along with them and find the same interests. I met a Singaporean girl at the BBQ meeting and actually she is my senior because she is studying Chemical Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering or NUS. She told me that she had come across a lot of SM2 or SM3 students in Chemical Engineering. But she said that it is really a big pity that all of them are willing to stay within their own group and seldom spend time together with Singaporean students. Students from China occupy a large portion in Engineering and they always want to stay together with their homecountry friends. But I think that we should get more familiar between each other with Singapore students and that is the initial purpose of us coming to Singapore. We come here not only for different education, but also to know more about this country and its people. And if we don’t mingle with its people, how can we assimilate ourselves into the society here and lead a better life in the near future?
Singapore friends really showed us genuine friendliness and we should do the same in return. Although they are hosts and we are guests, only through mutual friendliness can we make a harmonious atmosphere and build a happy family. We should be well-behaved guests. Please go out and make friends with Singaporean students and you will soon find that the friendship with locals can make your life in Singapore much more extraordinary.

Cut Your Hairs by Yourselves 1

2009-05-16T00:50:00.000-07:00

Cutting hair is somehow a headache of us, because it is too expensive for us to have our hair cut in a good saloon. Somebody may choose to cut their hairs at a fast hair-cutting point, but sometime the hair style we get cannot satisfy us. So there is a way to solve these problems-cut your hair by yourselves. I have found some tricks for you:

1.Cutting wet hair is much easier than cutting dry hair, so, before you before you start to cut, you should wash your hair and keep it wet. It will be better if you keep a bottle of water with a spray nozzle aside for you can dampen your hair before it become too dry.
2.Using good scissors to cut your hair. Do not be mean to buy a high quality scissors if you want to cut your hair by yourselves on a regular basis. A bad scissors may straightly pull your hair down, which is harmful to your hair.
3.Cutting a little at one time especially if you are a beginner. Do not be hurry when cut your hairs, and you should be prepared to do it for a long time. It is Ok that your hairs are longer than you want after cutting for you can cut it again, but if your hairs are shorter than you want all you can do is to wait them grow back.
4.Choosing simple style at the beginning. We are not professional cutters, so a good advice is to choose a simple hair style to do. A simple and neat hair style can also be pretty, and the easiest cut is to cut your hair in one length everywhere.

What I have mentioned above is just a preparation for your hair cut, and I will tell you more details about how to handle the hair cut in my next blog.

New Moon

2009-05-15T02:18:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday, I spent the whole day lying on my precarious bunk bed reading New Moon, the second installment of the tetralogy. I was so absorbed in the book that I forgot the concept of time. Thanks to my dear bed, I had to lie still there like a statue for almost 12 hours to avoid making any unpleasant noise. If I were a vampire, I would definitely bite my bed to death! In case someone may wonder what happened to Bella and Edward after twilight, I would like to give a very brief account of the story.

After Edward saved Bella from the evil vampire James, Bella did not convert and continued her happy life with a vampire around for quite some time. As I have expected, it was not a full stop but a comma. On Bella’s birthday, Bella cut her finger accidentally. And the irresistible scent of her blood drove Jasper, namely Edward’s brother and the newest vampire in the Cullens, into frenzy. Bella’s arm was badly hurt in this accident and that was just a start of her next few gloomy months.

The Cullens decided to move out of the Forks and left Bella alone, because Edward thought it was the best way to drive away the danger to Bella. Edward’s curt words and unexpected departure left Bella in despair. Bella felt there was a hole in her chest and her soul was already taken away by Edward. It seemed that the raw edge would never heal and she felt a real wrench whenever she thought about Edward. In the next four months, she protected herself by living in a state of complete emptiness. She became withdrawn and buried herself in the boring calculus textbook. Bella was nothing but a lifeless walking body. （this part is really fantastic! It describes the lifelessness so thoroughly that I even lost interest of living for several hours. However, I decided to continue my life anyway because I had not finished the whole story then! Lol!）

To be continued.......

My feelings

2009-05-15T01:28:00.000-07:00

The bridging course will end in 3 more weeks. We have been in Singapore for half a year. During these 6 months I have learnt a lot of things and have some feelings.

First, I have adapted to the life in Singapore including the weather, food, people and so on. Comparing with the feeling that I have when I came to Singapore, I am not that exciting, that happy. The happiness and excitement can make me forget homesick and loneliness temporarily.
However, I have studied lived in Singapore for half a year. I live the same life every day. I think I am a little tired of this kind of life. So, I always hoped that I can study in NUS instead of only studying English every day. I will try my best to calm down and study hard during the next 3 weeks.

Secondly, actually, I am not good at English and a bit tired of English. I think the main reason is that my high school English teacher was boring and made lose interest in English. As a result, I am not as good as the others at present. I realized this problem and have some pressure. I force myself to study English harder on writings, vocabulary and readings. In my opinion, I have made some progress, but not enough. Of course, I have to stick on, because I have to be used to using English.

Thirdly, we are not with our parents, so we should be self-reliant and learn to take care of ourselves. I observe some students cannot take care of themselves well, because they don’t have good habits nor have no idea about how to keep healthy. Now, we must learn all these things so that we can live a good life in Singapore for about 10 years.
I hope that all the students can choose their favourite major and graduate smoothly. Best wishes to all the SM3 students.

Good Friends

2009-05-12T21:51:00.000-07:00

In one of the article we have learnt from “A Community of Readers”, the author said that: “for women, as for girls, intimacy is the fabric of relationships, and talk is the thread from which it is woven. Little girls create and maintain friendships by exchanging secrets…” It seems that it is a viewpoint accepted by most of my female friends. Though knowing the fact, I still cannot build my intimate friendship by sharing secrets.
In my opinion, telling secrets to a friend is just a way of making the friend believe that you trust him/her deeply. Having such a friend is of course pretty good. However intimate friends are not just persons who we share secrets with, they should be the ones who can listen to our complains about mundane things that happened in our life, who can help us release our stresses of studying, who can comfort us when we feel frustrated and who can count on when we are in need of help. So it is not only in telling secrets, but also in many trivial things we do and the ways we do them that show our trust in our friends and let our friends feel our friendliness and concern.
I used to fear that my notion as distinctive from friends around me may make me hard to find very close and intimate friends. I am friendly and sincere to my friends. I give them a hand when they are in trouble. We help each other in studies. However when we are free and sit together, we do not have much to talk about. The silence between us makes me feel that friendships are so flimsy that I will easily lose them if the silence goes on. However I later found out though my friends were in favor of sharing secrets, they still understood and accepted my way of making friends. So they try to contact with me in the way I do. In fact, many things they do really make me feel how concerned and considerate they are. I remember when I sprained my ankle; one of my friends went a long way to see me and bought dinner for me. I remember when I failed in exams; my friends would stay with me and comfort me. I never forget when I took a nap after lunch in the classroom, my friend who sat beside me would try to avoid any noise, even the minute sound that was caused when writing on papers. I never forget my friend who seldom calls me, called me from China to wish me a happy birthday.
Though no secrets being shared, those tiny but moving things still build our friendships firm. I think I will go on lasting my friendships like this, creating things that can strength the friendships and enjoying colorful memories they will bring me.

My Mother

2009-05-12T07:28:00.000-07:00

My Mother

Like all mothers in the world, my mother loves me very much. Her behavior has influenced me deeply. Many of my good habits are given by her. Thanks to her concern and her education, I become a moral, optimistic, and discerning girl.

I heard from my father that my mother doted me when I was a little child. When I was too young to speak, she went to shops with me, and bought everything I showed interest in.

As I was growing older, she seemed to become a bit “harsher”. When I was in Junior High School, I was too lazy to get up early. Thus, although my mother got up earlier to cook breakfast for me, I often did not eat. Having been told many times the harm that not eating breakfast would bring about, I still did not want to get up early to eat. Then, my mother, who was angry, made a decision that she did not allow me to go to school if I did not have breakfast. I just sat there and thought she was not serious. However, she really did not allow me to go to school! Being afraid of being scolded by teacher, I had to have my breakfast. Since then, I dare not escape breakfast any longer, no matter how busy I am. I should thank my mother because it was she who “forced” me to develop this healthy habit.

There is another thing which moved me deeply. When I was in Senior High School, I did not want to bother to bring my raincoat. One day, it was raining heavily after school, and I was stuck. My father would work late that day and my mother was having a fever because of catching a cold. I thought that I had to be soaked through. To my surprise and delight, my mother should come to our school to bring a raincoat to me. I will never forget her familiar tiny figure from distance in the rain.

My mother always cares me, no matter where I am, and what I am doing. I still remember her tears when I left her and came to Singapore. Evert time I thought about this, my eyes are also full of tears. What I want to say is that I also love my mother, very very deeply, and I will not let her down.

The end? The end.

2009-05-12T05:40:00.000-07:00

No matter you realize it or not, our English course is coming to the end. I guess most of us will jump joyfully for that. Months of learning English only did frustrate us a lot. We can see our enthusiasm declines from the beginning to now. However, during our long-term “boring” course, a strong friendship was built among us. Through days of chatting, days of suffering bunches of assignments, days of joking and killing games in class, days of cooperating in research report and variety show…we experienced happy and sorrow in the past five months, we linked together because most of us left home for such a long time. It is so lucky that we have each other.

Maybe some of you guys haven’t notice this because you are bored to death, but I believe that only after we go to NUS, have only two people in one room and a big lecture theater full of unacquainted locals, then we will realize how friends values. We will miss the leisure time in CELC (though it has exams occasionally); miss the happy time we spent together; miss the noon nap with noise around; miss our tutor Ms. Nora, the funniest teacher who totally changed our opinions about Muslins; Ms. Jenny, a kind-hearted lady who is earnest to our assignments and our feelings; Ms. Leo, the most critical thinking teacher, we learned a lot from her even sometimes feel quite speechless; Ms. Sonali, an Indian lady who has a warm smile and Mr. Ng, hehe, very interesting man. I’m sure we will miss them very much.

All in all, value the only 3 weeks we have, remembering more and let this period of memory exists in our heart, as long as we miss Group 3, SM3 17th.

Good, or evil?

2009-05-12T04:47:00.000-07:00

Confucius, the greatest philosopher in ancient China, once said: “Man's nature at birth is good” and “To render good for evil”. It is not to come singly but in pairs that the Bible also tells: “If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also”. The two greatest persons told us to be good, to forgive and not to be evil. From years of my traditional education, I believe humanity is good as well. People make mistakes sometimes, whereas, they are kind-hearted inside. However, what I see from a movie, A Clockwork Orange, humanity is totally evil.

This movie is a bittersweet ironic tale. A rascal, Alex, together with his droogs, wanders around, doing orgies of random, opportunistic violence everyday until he is arrested for the crime of murder. In the prison, he becomes the subject of a classical conditioning technique designed to make him “a clockwork orange”, someone who is incapable of doing harm unto anyone in order to reduce his prison term. After he is released, the infirm he once bullied torture him in revenge. He cannot stand the misery and come to suicide as a result….

This is a movie including countless vicious violence and rape which astonished me a lot. No one is innocent. No matter the gratuitous, psychopathic violence Alex did at the anterior of the movie, or the so-called karma effects later, these are all belong to evil. It seems that devil exists inside everyone, once the Pandora’s box is opened, nothing is limited.
I am wondering: Are we born good or evil? What is good, and what is evil? Is it true that everyone is evil? Or good and evil are integrative?

Let us look back to the movie. Alex’s self-indulgence outrage and ferocities is pure evil for he considers his behaviors as entertainments, just like many rascals today. What is more, Dr. Branom, an assistant of the Ludovico treatment, does the inhumanity therapeutic while she thinks she is “for Alex’s own good”. She is the second kind of evil who cannot identify whether her action is good or bad, worse, regards perpetrations as sacraments. Like an apothecary who gives wrong medicine to patients accidentally or like the USA, which offers its people over-the-top welfare. On surface, the government takes good care of its people, actually, the policy led to deregulation which contributed to the financial crisis.

Furthermore, the most horrifying evil is hypocrisy. The minister does extremely cruel conditioning on Alex and takes advantages of him for political motives with tricky words which make him look good. I cannot help but think of George W· Bush’s maladroit and cunning excuse to attack Iraq. “Weapon of Mass Destruction”, what is that? Is that his business? Of course not. Infinite profit of oil is more attracting and believable.

Finally, I think I was convinced of the concept that “Humanity can be evil”. Sometimes good and evil are even integrative. Despite what you have done is intentionally or not, evil thoughts hide inside everyone. Be careful, everyone can be a devil, everyone can be the next victim.

The Victory of Old guard of Aware

2009-05-08T22:49:00.001-07:00

In the extraordinary general meeting held by Aware, or Association of Women for Action & Research in May 2, the old guard won back the leadership. That was after a no-confidence vote against the new guard, which took over the power in the annual general meeting held in March 28. The vote turned out more than 1400 against the new guard with merely 700 for it. The famous lawyer advised the new guard to step down, citing precedence. After a 45-minute discussion, the president stated that they would step down graciously. During the past five weeks the new guard criticized that the old guard promoted lesbianism and homosexuality whilst the old guard contend that they aimed at ensuring all people of the equal right and the new guard lacked of tolerance.

For my concern, the victory of the old guard eliminated the potential threat to bring about social tension, division and unrest. People are different from each other and all the citizens ought to tolerate others to an appropriate extent. As Deputy Prime Minister said, if you push some people ahead too much, there will be a pushback from them. As you know, the new guard is strongly against homosexuality. How could you expect that it is tolerant towards gays? Gays under the discrimination will definitely try to voice their idea and even demonstrate, which will threaten the stability of society. As I know, there was a gay demonstration on a large scale in Singapore in 2007. During the economic downturn, any harm to the stability of society will push downwards the already-weak economy. In addition, all the core committee members are Chinese and Christian, which is lacking in diversity. The involution of the religion may probably transform the secular organization into a pulpit. Religions have already their own ways to advocate their beliefs. If they take force in secular transaction, they may be so powerful that others, especially the opponents, might be deprived of the right to speak out their opinion. Consequently Singapore can hardly remain a secular and tolerant state if religions take too much power in society.

Ultimately I am delighted with the victory of old guard and wish award a brighter futher.

Liu Guodong not nominated for the year award for coach

2009-05-08T22:12:00.000-07:00

National women’s table tennis team won the year’s Singapore Sports Award for their historical achievement in Beijing Olympics last year. In Beijing they won an invaluable silver medal, the first Olympic medal of Singapore since its independence. However, Mr. Liu Guodong, the coach of national table tennis team was denied the nomination by Singapore Table Tennis Association, or STTA for the year’s award for coach. The main reason, in the words of STTA, is that he is not well-respected by all his players. Mr. Liu allegedly paid most of his attention to the women’s team and relatively cared less about the men. As a result, Singapore best male player Gao Ning found himself with no coach in his Olympic third-round singles match and then crashed out to a low-ranked Croat. Most people felt disappointed and had considered Liu as a shoo-in. Many members of the selection panel urged that Mr. Liu should be put in the ballot even without precedence. However, the final result turned out disappointing that the decision of STTA was respected. That meant Mr. Liu was out of the ballot and had no chance to win the coach’s year award. The panel later announced there would be no coach winning the award for no candidates met the criteria. So for the first time since 2001, there is no winner in this category.

I consider it more of a consequence of conflicts between Coach Liu and STTA late last year. After the historical victory in Beijing, Mr. Liu expected more power in selecting players for national table tennis team. Unexpectedly the new guard which took over STTA soon after Beijing Olympics spurned the request of Mr. Liu. This episode ended up with the resignation of Mr. Liu. That thrust STTA under the spotlight and put it in a position to be blamed for letting such a prestigious coach go. So I am afraid STTA’s not nominating Mr. Liu is an action taken to get even with him. Despite Mr. Liu’s own fault, STTA is the head of the snake and should be blamed for its intolerance. It just wants to hurt Mr. Liu even at the cost of no winner of the year’s award. As a responsible association, STTA should behave tolerantly and apparently. Revenge is definitely not the right thing to do.

In memory of my friendship

2009-05-03T17:43:00.000-07:00

It is an old story of not being grateful for what we have until we lose it, of not being conscious of friends until we are lonely.

Yao was my best friend during the three years in Shanxi Experimental Secondary School. As one who was from another city, I did not have a sense of belonging until Yao took an initiative to step into my life. She was a sensitive and kind girl and treated me as well as, my mother. I am not exaggerating. At that time, I did not pay much attention to my health. Instead of going home to have dinner, she went to the canteen in school together with me in order to help me form a healthy habit of diet. However, I did not pay her back. Yao was popular in our school and had very good interpersonal relationship. Boys liked her and she indeed had special relationship with several boys. I though she did not work hard and only wanted to marry a rich man and then enjoyed her life, which I looked down upon. I was too young to understand her. The result was that I did many things that hurt her deeply. Now I regret what I did, but it is late already.

Before Yao, I had another friend Siqun. Different from Yao, she was passionate and hard working. She cared about friends much and gave me a hand many times when I turned to her for help. At that time, I read many books about spiritual explosion. I thought that we should treat everyone with the same kindness no matter what they did to us. One day, after watching a movie on friendship, she asked me whether she was very important to me. Can you guess what I said at that time? Without much thought, I said no, everyone was the same to me. As a friend, I did not regard her as someone special. What I said also, hurt her deeply. No wander I saw big disappointment in her eyes, which I will remember in my lifetime.

Of course, besides these regrets, there is much precious memory between my friends and me. Actually, I have never stopped even a moment missing my friends in China since I came to Singapore. The days, months, years we went through together often appear in my mind as vividly as all of that happened yesterday. The friends I have either in Shanxi Experimental Secondary School or in Xiangya Medical College are treasures from which I can always find courage to go on with my life. Although life is unpredictable, one thing I can guarantee is that they are always there no matter what become of me. They are ones I can turn to especially I have problems. Anyway, what one experiences today will become the memory of tomorrow. What I can do is to appreciate what I have now.

How to stay fit

2009-05-03T07:25:00.000-07:00

Good health is our most valuable wealth. We cannot take it for granted, because once we loss it, it is difficult to regain. Person who has good health is more efficient in caring out his task, either as a student in school or a worker in factory. Fitness is so important and valuable, so how can we stay healthy? In my opinion, we can keep healthy in three ways: balanced diet, enough sleep and regular exercise.

To begin with, health is closely involved with a balance diet. Proper nutrition is important for good health. Our body cannot function well unless it receives the proper kind of food. We should eat more vegetables and fruits, which can provide necessary vitamins and minerals. Plenty of foods that are high in protein like lean meat, fish, beans, and nuts are helpful to our health, too. And we had better reject much junk food, as well as foods rich in sugar and fat, which can do a lot of harm to our health.

Having enough sleep is the best way to make us refreshed and energetic. It is essential to our health. If we do not have enough sleep, it is impossible for us to have a healthy body. This is because when we are sleeping, our bodies are refreshing themselves. Furthermore, our brains are having adequate rest, too, and our memories are also refreshed.

Most sports are good for keeping the body in good shape. Without exercise, our hearts and lungs cannot function well. Regular exercise can contribute to our health. This process also can create some chemical, which can excite us and get rid of our depression and stress. Thus, we should do exercise moderately to keep us fit.

In a nutshell, if we would like to have a healthy body, we had better have these three habits: having balanced diet, guaranteeing enough sleep and exercising regularly. As long as we persevere, we will own the most valuable treasure: health.

Two Embarrassing things happened to Yingzi

2009-05-02T23:43:00.000-07:00

Actually, there are so many embarrassing things happened to Yingzi back in high school that I cannot remember them all. Therefore, I would like to share the most amusing ones.
1. One day, Yingzi and I were walking back to school, after yummy lunch outside, when a female stranger showed up. She was one or two years older than us, I think. The first thing came from her mouth is “Can you tell me where the “Alibaba” Road is?” That is shocking because “Alibaba” is a myth, and it is obvious that there would not be a road owns such a strange and funny name. “We do not know.” we told her. When we were still confused, the girl came again and swore at Yingzi. She shouted “Do not be so arrogant just because of you are tall.” It is quite embarrassing to be sworn at by a stranger. We guess the girl was an acting student, trying to be brave in public. Unfortunately, Yingzi was her target.
2. One day, Yingzi and I were in the corridor outside our classroom. A student walked towards us. The boy looked alike one of my friends, who is not so familiar with Yingzi. To my surprise, Yingzi behaved like he knew my friend very well this time, calling him “Shuai shuai”! However, that was not my friend, but a stranger. Yingzi did not wear his glasses again. To make it worse, “Shuai” not only means a surname which my friend have in Chinese, but also means handsome. Thus, it seemed like Yingzi was calling a stranger “cutie”. I think the stranger probably thought Yingzi was a gay.

The journey to Gaylang

2009-05-02T22:35:00.000-07:00

It was Labor’s day. We went to Gaylang to have lunch. When we got to Singapore, we have heard of Gaylang due to the delicious food and prostitutes. Of course, we went to Gaylang for the delicious food. I think that we have achieved our goals.

We went along Gaylang finding something that was appetizing. Many kinds of restaurants were standing on both sides of the roads such as hot pots. When we were discussing what to eat, we suddenly saw a slogan which show the way to the restaurant called “Lan Zhou La Mian”, a kind of noodles. It was one of my most favorite foods in my hometown. I always went there with my friends. After coming to Singapore, we have searched many places for it. However, we failed. So, you can imagine that how excited we were. All of us took photos with the slogan to memorize this moment.

We followed the instruction and found the restaurant soon. We were a little disappointed, because we could not smell the smell of the noodles which could be smelled as soon as we entered the restaurant of my hometown. We still decided to try it. It was so good that the names of the noodles were the same as those in my hometown. Each of us asked for a bow of noodle and some pickles. When we waited for the noodles, we recalled the delicious noodles that we had in China. About ten minutes later, the noodles have been ready. We observe that the appearance and the smell were quite different from that of China. We were completely disappointed. However, generously speaking, if we didn’t compare this to the one in China, this noodle was also the most delicious one that we had in Singapore. So, I was satisfied and had a good lunch.

When we went to the bus station, we saw a restaurant called “Yong He soybean milk” which was also famous in China. We entered the restaurant and asked for a cup of ice soybean milk. To our surprise, it was almost the same as that of my hometown.

I think we were so lucky that we could find something we had in China. No matter whether it was delicious or not, it could also remind us the delicious food of my hometown.

My opinion on the world's ranking of universities

2009-05-02T22:19:00.000-07:00

Before I came to Singapore for my tertiary education, I had read a lot about the world's ranking of universities on the webpage. When I saw that Chinese universities had such low ranking, I felt that perhaps universities in China really had gap with that kind of advanced universities. But when I came to NUS, the situation was not that good. My tutors often said that it was because our extremely high expectations. Frankly speaking, compared with the universities in China, NUS has better hardware for that facilities here are better and wireless network could provide us access to internet everywhere in campus. But I have to say that the level of a university is determined by its academic level. The course module here is much easier than that in China, so I really could not imagine how I could survive after my graduation when I compete with my peers in China. Perhaps somebody may persuade me that low proportion of what you learned in university will be used. I cannot agree with that.
As I read a passage on the Internet, the world's focus has been shifted from western world to eastern world especially in China. The rise of China is inevitable and unstoppable. There are more opportunities in China than in Singapore. Than we should think about the question: what is the meaning for us to travel such a long way to have tertiary education in Singapore. As the less opportunities and lower academic level, is there any necessity for us to stay here? I do not know what my peers think about this issue, but I really have such a kind of uncomfortable feeling in Singapore and I feel our future is so uncertain. Perhaps there are some people who want to sharpen their English here, but in my opinion, it is not worthwhile to give up academic level just for English.
I still remember the conversation with Mrs Leo and she told me that English is the only link between eastern world and western world. I agree with her opinion. But I think that the time when western world learn Chinese will come soon. We can obviously see a fact that those universities with high world’s ranking all use English for their teaching and related ranking is conducted by western world. So we should see the problem rationally and realise that the universities in China are more advanced than western ones regardless of teaching language and facilities.

Swine Flu spreads throughout the world

2009-05-02T21:51:00.000-07:00

Recently, a epidemic named swine flu, which firstly broke out in Mexico, has disseminated throughout the whole world. The governments of all the countries take quick actions to control the spread of the disease. However, despite different kinds of effort made by governments, there have still been nearly two hundred people dead because of these epidemic. The bad situation inevitablely woke the bad memories of SARS, which broke out in China in 2003. Fortunately, this time, the Chinese government performs well and now the situation is well controlled, related patients are under strict control.

Now come back to the situation in Singapore, the government's action is soon enough. Next week, we will be asked to take the temperature before we enter the classroom and in hostle we are ordered to form pairs to inspect temperature each other. But what I concern most about is that whether the situation of swine flu will influence my trip homewards. As I have already booked the air tickets, I am so worry about it. I have also heard that a governor in Mexico blamed that it was Chinese passenger who brought the swine flu into Mexico from China. In my opinion, what he said is very rediculous and irresponsible. As a responsible country in the world, China is play an increasingly important role in the world and it is unnecessary for China to do that to divert the disease. And we can also see that every time when China has something important to keep focus on, there are some countries standing out to blame China for its bad record of human rights.

It is undeniable that the rise of China is unstoppable. Nevertheless, the whole world needs more time to adapt. Holding the largest foreign exchange reserve, China is no longer the minor role on the world's stage. From the current situation of swine flu in China, we can see Chinese government's process in dealing with such kind of emergency. Now in mainland China, the epidemic is well controlled and there is nobody infected.

Now there are still 74 days for me to go to finish the bridging course and that also means that I can go home after 74 days. The friends in China, I miss you so much!

Like A Tiny Dairy

2009-05-02T21:25:00.000-07:00

The sun was melting and eating everyone at midday. I was not an exception. However, I could not be digested because the sun’s stomach juices were dried up by its own heat. As a result, I was luckily spit out from its mouth. In a daze, I stormed into my dorm, feeling that I was a dangerously explosive sunspot.

I watched that video recording again. All people, my dear high school classmates and teachers (I am sure some of them are destined to be my life-long friends and a few, my soul-mates), were captured in it. It was a graduation gift for me and it was all about our everyday life—many happy returns. I fast-forwarded and then rewound now and then, watching many of us being genuinely happy—only too happy; quite a few swimming like deep-sea fishes, silent and restrained; while the rest suddenly drifting across like ghosts, their face set. I sat bolt upright and felt as if I was difficultly but attentively recalling an old dream.

I know it was my own shining golden age and so is now. I still have passion for love, food and songs. Meanwhile, I am even more aware that all this cannot last forever and one day I will be too sophisticated like a sleek cat to afford enthusiasm. The problem is that I realize that I have to be hurried up to treasure my youth but I do not know how. After all, though I feel happy to hang out and wander about, wasting time cannot bring us satisfaction in a long run.

A dangerously explosive sunspot is dynamic but cannot think, while a deep-sea fish is pretty cool. However, neither of them can escape from becoming old and lonely. So I really hope that ghosts exist. One day we will be free, without worrying about being old, as long as there are many other ghosts stay with you.

Thinking of this, I suddenly realize that how envy of our growing old ghosts can be. Growing up with my golden age's vanishing is not that bad anyway.

Outbreak of Swine Flu

2009-05-02T01:00:00.000-07:00

Since the first confirmed case of swine flu was found in Mexico, the horrible virus has spread out through 13 countries and regions from Americans to Europe and Asia. A baby in the United States became the first dead from swine flu outside the epicenter Mexico. Worse still, HongKong saw the first confirmed case in Asia. The situation in Mexico, on the other hand, is more serious with over 2500 suspected, 381 confirmed and 176 dead. The Mexican government declared a five-day holiday and the cancellation of any “non-essential” government activities and private business.

Though a lot of countries have taken quick action, swine flu is invading more and more countries in the world and witnessing a rapid increase of suspected and confirmed cases. Meanwhile World Health Organization (WHO) issued a level five alert, one level short of pandemic, which means the epidemic virus has been able to be transmitted from human to human and is very likely to be a pandemic disease. The government of Singapore is also taking an active part in preventing the disease from spreading in Singapore. Thermal scanners have been deployed in Changi Airport and crowded areas like Habourfront Center. Health Minister (MOH) raised its alert level to orange, two levels shy of pandemic. MOH announced it mandatory for tourists to report their travel history and leave detailed contact for phone calls to query their health. Anyone who has travelled to Mexico after Monday and has fever or some other symptoms of swine flu will be faced with seven-day quarantine. This rule has been applied to 26 students returning from an exchange programme in Mexico. The head of MOH revealed that they were considering closing schools to avoid a severer surge of swine flu.

The swine flu outbreak, in my eyes, releases a signal that virus is developing with the development of medicine technology. Human beings can never have a moment when all epidemic diseases are conquered by human beings. Actually the disease is to some extent a motion to push people to do further research and to find out more uncovered things in the world. Besides, the influenza warns people of minding personal hydrogen. Most of all we may be accordingly aware of the truth that health always comes first and without health all that we have is just nothing. Above all we should look on the bright side and work hand-in-hand to combat the terrible epidemic disease. I strongly believe we can make it as long as we are united and make our own contribution to defeat the influenza.

swine flu, another warn

2009-05-02T00:41:00.000-07:00

The whole world is boiling because of the swine flu firstly found in Mexico, which is spreading rapidly all over the world. Over ten countries have reported their confirmed cases, including Mexico, USA, Canada, England, New Zealand, and recently Hong Kong, China, while more countries keep reporting the suspected cases. According to a online survey doing by Voice Of America, till now, 52% of the voters show they are worried about the swine flu, another 21% of the voters show they are slightly worried about the swine flu, while only 18% of the voters say they are not worried about the flu.
I fellow the news on the net to find out what is going on about the swine flu. More than 150 people have died of the serious virus till now, and the flu is spreading in a rapid pace though every country is taking their prevention very carefully. What is more, the WHO has raised the pandemic alert to lever 5 a few days ago.
We are supposed to take temperature every day before going to school and after coming back to hostel under the observation of a roommate from yesterday. What is more, I just received a SMS form our class monitor saying that NUS will start temperature screening from Monday. I can guess how serious the situation is from the unusual things happening around me.
All these things remind me of SARS happened six years ago. Many people are appealing it is time to take action to heal the earth. Many people are asking what we humans have done to the earth. I am convinced that the swine flu is another warn to people. If we do not stop harming the earth, I cannot imagine what will happen in the future.

From Swine Flu to Personal Hygiene

2009-05-01T18:11:00.000-07:00

Recently the whole world has been plunged into a panic because of a potential pandemic---the widespread swine flu. The World Health Organization has raised its alert level to Phase 5, the second-highest, and Singapore has moved into “orange” mode in its five-colour alert system. All of these signs indicate that a pandemic may become imminent. The Health Minister of Singapore asserted that Singapore, which is still clear of the suspected cases, should do its utmost to contain the virus. A week of home quarantine will be implemented for those who have returned from Mexico recently, which is the most drastic action. Besides, the government also advocates that a high level of personal hygiene is the best way to keep oneself from the virus.
For keeping good personal hygiene, one needs to always remember that wash hands frequently. It is an effective way to use soap and water to avoid the virus spreading from your hands to your face or mouth. Everyone use his own hands hundreds of times one day, so we easily overlook the cleanliness of our hands. In addition, we should wear a face mask when necessary. It can cover your nose and mouth from a potential risk of transmission. Besides, we should also pay attention to the cleanliness of our clothes. If someone coughs or sneezes beside you without using a tissue to cover his nose or mouth, you may caught a lot of tiny drops of discharge in your clothes. Such a tiny drop of liquid may contain a lot of viruses if the person is infected with the disease. Considering this, we also need to reduce the number of outdoor activities, especially those with lot of people together in public.
Whenever an epidemic spreads all around a large area or around the whole world, personal hygiene is always considered as a useful way to avoid it. Besides, personal hygiene is always important to one’s health. For swine flu, pending the development of a vaccine, there are many ways to ensure that the virus cannot spread. As normal people, we can keep good personal hygiene as a contribution to combating the swine flu.

Visit to science center

2009-05-01T00:03:00.000-07:00

“On every learning journey day, there will be heavy rain.” This is told to us by different tutors. This Thursday, we would have a visit to Singapore Science Center in the afternoon, and it really rained in the morning! However, when the clock stroke 12, the dark clouds disappeared and the temperature went up quickly. Frankly speaking, I preferred a day with no hot sunlight.

The first place we visited in Science Center was the omni-theater. The theater uses the IMAX technology. The screen is a dome which is 5-stories high. In fact, I have heard it in China, but I never thought that I would be able to see it in Singapore. The pictures were so vivid and verisimilar that I felt myself immersed in the world of the movie. The movie was about Sea Monsters in the dinosaurian age. I was totally stunned. It was marvelous. However, there was only a small deficiency. As I lay down and looked up to the dome, I sometimes felt dizzy and a bit sick. Nonetheless, the movie was good.

Then we went for other places. The most impressing thing was that the center was not only a place for visitors, but also a big class for primary students. We saw many pupils there. In a building called “Atrium” when I climb to the third floor, I found many labs named after scientists such as Newton, Faraday and Fermi. I tried to enter some of the labs, but I found that the labs were full of pupils. And then, two men in uniform came over and said: “The students are having their lessons. Please do not disturb them.” Then I went back to the stairs and found a sign indicating that “only officially relevant people are admitted to enter the story.” In China, a museum can never been a classroom for elementary school students. Maybe the large population is the only thing to blame again.

At the end of the blog, I feel like saying that I had a good journey this Thursday.

Sunset Run

2009-04-29T02:18:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday, several friends and I went to East Park to participate in Sunset Run which was a pre-run of the coming Singapore Passion Run in late May. We intended to leave Eton Hall at half past two in the afternoon. However, the dark clouds descended and it began to pour cats and dogs. After a short discussion, we decided that we must go because it seemed that the rain would not last long. Before we got the bus stop, we were all wet, but no one show any sign of giving up.

It was often mentioned by others that Singapore had a good transportation system. However, it still took up more than one hour to get to East Park. The air conditioning in the bus made all of us frozen since we had already been wet. Our “fire to run” almost went out. Fortunately, it had stopped raining and we were in time to be registered. We were going to run five kilometers!!!

Since I had been exercising every Sunday morning after I came to Singapore, I did not find the race quite challenging. I ran with Yiping for the first four kilometers. I dared not run fast because I found the rate of Yiping’s breath was quite high and his breath was rather shallow. After we past the sign of 4 kilometers, I asked if he wanted to gained a little speed and he said he would rather keep the present speed. So I speeded up and overtook several people. I got completely wet again, not because of rain but sweat. However, to accomplish such a distance in a real race really made me feel well-being.

I was really looking forward to the Singapore passion run. It will be 10 kilometers, doubling the sunset run. It is another challenge. What’s more, it kept be exercising regularly.

Horror Films are not My Cup of Tea

2009-04-28T22:03:00.000-07:00

I am always happy in the hope of happiness. I will definitely say no if you invited me to see a horror films. If unfortunately I was dragged to the cinema, I would probably deliberately concentrate on pop corns and shield my eyes with the seat back in front of me, constantly hoping that I could shut my ears as well. However, many of my friends are happy in the hope of fear—they are addicted to horror films!!

As a matter of fact, I am not that frightened when I shoot a glance or two at the screen. Instead, what worries me is some kind of ripple effects, which may affect my mind virtually every now and then. Say, for example, when I was taking a shower in Eton Hall, there suddenly came a power cut and all lights went off. I would not at all feel scared since I had noting terrifying to think of, not until last week a “famous” Japanese film ultimately occupied my empty mind.

Last week, excited and nervous, several of my roommates clustered around a computer to see the enduringly popular film called The Ring(Wu Ye Xiong Ling). Holding each other’s hand firmly, they screeched, whispered, sighed, gave a sudden look at the back and kept changing posture as if they could never sit still. All these so strongly aroused my interest and curiosity that I finally stood up and joined them. The film was really a horror film!!!!! (Although I knew people were around me and most of the time I saw the film through my fingers and skipped quite a lot classic horrifying pictures by asking them “Is it over”)

Consequently, I begin to doubt whether my choice for single room is wise. What if I think of the film on a thunder booming night...? What if my cell phone rings at midnight…? What if I wake up from a nightmare and simply want to go to the toilet…? Nevertheless, scientifically speaking, watching horror films can relieve stress by stimulating our brain to secret certain hormone.

With or without so-called benefits, I will never allow myself to “drink others’ cup of tea”!!

Feelings

2009-04-27T17:15:00.000-07:00

I’ve always think that I’m kind of a person who knows how to control my own feelings. The sharp and crank mood has left me for a long time. I know how to precious life, I know how to look positive and behave active. I know all the rules about being a peaceful, harmless and happy bird. But, yes, there’s always a “but”, I cannot stand any more. I don’t want to complain all the time here, but, this is a blog, for us to pour feelings, so, forgive me, being a kicker this time.

The first thing annoys me is a thing that happens to almost everyone, in this very summer. The power of homesick is strong, but dream and reality is opposite. I can do nothing but wish everyone’s dream will came true at last.

What’s upset me next is my research report. The deadline is next week, though I have, like six days to go, it’s no need to rush. However, I can’t help worrying whether I can do it well or not. I hope my first research report can be, at least, good. What is more, Progress Test Ⅱwill be held on Friday morning. Many people say it’s not a big deal, but for me, I’ve studied almost five months in CELC, if I didn’t do it well, I’ll blame myself for being lazy and stupid.

The third thing, maybe I shouldn’t mention here, is the variety show. I feel very sorry for not getting the part I want, maybe because I’m not capable. Anyway, I strongly hope our class will perform excellent on that day. By the way, I feel very sorry for not watch our class’s basketball and badminton games. It not that I don’t care, it’s I dare not to see. I’m afraid our class will lose. So I just pay attention to the game secretly. I know, I should face it rather than escape, well, forgive my cowardice this time. And I want to thank for those who tried their best in the games. Thank you, guys and princesses~J

Ok, I have to say this is not like an article at all. It’s just my feelings today; perhaps you can read it as my diary.

Draw Your Mind

2009-04-27T06:37:00.000-07:00

I think we all know a rabbit whose name is Tuzki, and this rabbit was created by a Chinese girl named Wang Moumou. Her purpose to draw this rabbit was not to make money but to express her mind.

We like Tuzki not only because of its cute outlook but also for the theory of life it has expressed. Wang said that her inspiration of Tuzki came from her life experience. Wang is a wordless girl and she found that sometimes it is very hard for her to show her mind in words, so she decided to use a cartoon character to show her thoughts. Tuzki is a representation of herself, and this rabbit’s gesture comes from her mind when she cannot express her mind in words.

I think exaggerated cartoons sometime can show a theory more clearly than words, and they can give people deeper impressions. I believe that all of us could take chances to draw out our minds. Perhaps you may feel that what you draw was not beautiful, but there is no need to draw a good one. We draw for ourselves, and these drawings are used to record our feelings. I am sure that you will feel extremely good after drawing a cartoon for yourselves. After keeping this habit for a period, when you look at your notebook you may feel that all your memories become lively and lovely.

Do not be afraid to draw. In my opinion, everyone has the talent to draw, and everyone is able to draw nice pictures when he or she has feelings. Every single person’s draw can have his or her own style, and all you need to do is to draw by heart. After several days’ drawing, you may find that your picture can also be pretty and interesting.

If you want to know more about Tuzki you can go to http://www.tuzki.net/

Never run again

2009-04-27T05:24:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday, I participated in the activity “Meal @ Home”. Although it was about toys in different countries and generations, I had a good time. However, when I got back to Eton Hell, I had a different story.
Actually, it was because I forgot to sign out. As a result, when I came back from the toys museum, I realized that there was trouble in front of me: the guard was sitting in the corridor, waiting for the students who came back after the curfew. When he saw us coming back, he asked us to sign in. I did not know what to do. The guard seemed to know that I did not sign out. Then he asked me to stay there.
Of course, I did not waiting for the bad thing to happen. I started to think about what I can do. Then I chose the most stupid choice. I decided to run quickly behind the Eton Hell. However, my speed was absolutely much slower than the speed of light. The minute I started to run, I got caught by the guard. What was worse, he followed me into my room. At that time, I really knew a famous Chinese saying “The monk may ran away, but the temple cannot run away with him”.
He led me to the desk and constantly told me that I should not run. Then he asked me to write my name down to keep a record. I asked him what the punishment would be. He said that it depended on the auntie. It was no use to ask more questions, so I just went back to my room.
However, this was not the end of the story. Uncle knew what happened. He came to my room and asked me to go with him to explain to the guard what had happened. After what seemed to be a century, I was freed finally. It was a terrible experience.
From this experience, I know that I should never run again. Sometimes, it is unwise to run however fast you are. In addition, I want to say that Uncle is very kind and warm-hearted. I want to thank him for what he has done for me. Whoever has some trouble, Uncle will come to his or her aid.

Why do you miss home so much?

2009-04-27T01:55:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I am really confused that why there are so many people who always mention their roots, and always say that how they love their hometown and how they wish that they could return there immediately. When it comes to me, 19-year-old as I am, I have not realized that how much my hometown means to me. In my opinion, I just lived there for 18 years.

I was born in Changsha, capital city of Hunan Province. It is an historical city, which is more than 2,000 years old. However, you could not see many historical relics due to a disaster caused by the Japanese army during the 1940s. Before I was 12, it still seemed to be an undeveloped city. From then on, big changes happened on account of China’s joining into the World Trade Organization. Modern buildings have mushroomed in the city, and the expansion of it has become faster and faster.

Today Changsha has become very famous for its recreation and entertainment industry, which deeply reflects the spirit of Changsha people nowadays, which, I take leave to doubt, is not a suitable symbol for a historical and cultural city, and which, in my point of view, will make a person become lazy and less ambitious. Under this kind of circumstance, I think it is extremely difficult for a person to calm down and do some thinking.

Living in this city, I was always dreaming of leaving for a place where there are a lot of challenges which can make me vigorous and excited. Now I am able to go out and find a place more suitable for fulfilling my dreams.

I do not regret what I have done and I will not miss my roots very much, just as a saying goes,“ Since you have chosen to go far away, you just have to care about your way.”

Choosing Majors

2009-04-27T01:07:00.000-07:00

We just went through a very important phase of university life: choosing the major. Why I say it is crucial is because once the major has been decided it becomes one of your life-long label. I believe a lot of us had a strenuous days in major choosing duration.
Before I came to Singapore, I am very sure that I will choose engineering as my faculty. But after I came here, when I was scrutinizing all the choice available, there was not seem to be any one that is attractive to me. This situation happened again when I see the majors provided by science and computing. I was in dilemma even feeling very vague about which faculty I will enroll to. I did not know any background or details of any major. All I had in mind were some vague conception for every major.
I call this “ lack of prevision”. I think it is because we were really in short of the basic knowledge of every major. It seems impossible for us to acknowledge every aspect, inclusive of what to learn, how to learn, career perspective and so on, of every major. Because of this unclearness, of course, we can not easily make up our minds.
Apart from the shallow reason of uncertainty, I think the educational system in China is more likely to be blamed. At grade two in high school, we are divided into two streams for academic direction, one is sciences and the other one is arts. This is the essential reason why we are prevented from all the knowledge as preparation for the future choice. We only know one specific area of knowledge, either science or arts. So when choosing majors in university, we are not ready to make a wise and accurate decision.
This is not something we can change. After all, all the Chinese students are going through like this. My suggestion is that we really need to think twice before we make the decision for our future.

Ms Leo’s Suggestion on My English Study

2009-04-24T22:24:00.000-07:00

Several days ago, I sent Ms Leo an email to ask some questions about English learning without knowing where my courage comes from. And on the following Wednesday, she talked with me about confusion I had and gave me some unbelievable suggestion. To be honest, I became even more confused after her talk with me.
In general, her suggestion can be categorised in two aspects. One is to keep constant writing and practising in reading comprehension. The other one is to keep constant reading on classical English literature such as Shakespeare and maybe Socrates is OK. But I have to say these are too difficult for me. Because you can’t suggest one person to read original English even when he could not understand contemporary English completely. That is a very simple principle just like you cannot teach a infant to run when he could not walk. However, unfortunately, tutors in other groups have already introduce some useful book about writing and reading comprehension to their students. They are just about A level or O level. Maybe some tutor want to argue with me that you can do it yourself. Nevertheless, what I want impress is that we trust your experience in English teaching. If you say so, I can draw a conclusion that I can study English in China even better in Singapore. So this is the very time for tutors to supervise and show their abilities. I do not mean any offence to tutors and it is just what I think in my mind. Sometimes our abilities are overestimated and what we need to know is that we should be realistic. There is a old saying in China that miles of road started from the very beginning.
Bridging course will end in less than two months, and maybe there is no space to improve. There is still four years for English improvement. But maybe we can find out some executable ways for us to sharpen our English in the rest of English study.

Can we go home after bridging course?

2009-04-24T22:20:00.000-07:00

Recently, many students in ETON HALL have booked air tickets for going home after bridging course. On the other hand, MOE said there will not be vocation in summer. I really do not know what are MOE officers thinking about. Because after bridging course, there are nearly two weeks left before our university life get started. It is said by our seniors that after English course ends, we only have economic lessons and maths lessons every other day. So it seems that time arrangement is not scientific. It is completely possible that we finish the maths and economic lesson in a shorter time because we learned much of what is taught now in China. After all, seven months is still a long period for part of us, who never go out for study especially abroad before and our will to go home is really strong now.
As the time passes, our bridging course is coming to its end. To be frank, I am really happy about that. Learning a language is not such simple task and requires efforts and talent. So we still have four years to improve our English. So the end of bridging course is not the end of English study and it may become a new start of your English improvement. Most of us do not have enough vocabulary to understand the passage and we still have to think in Chinese then to translate. It is really hard for us and a little painful sometimes. Nevertheless, I think I have nothing to worry about because I believe that I will finally master English.
Maybe the paragraph above is not related to going home, but it is the obstacle we have to face and handle. The way before going home seems not that long now. The friends in China, I miss you so much!

The Phone Call

2009-04-21T21:49:00.000-07:00

Since I came to Singapore, most of the calls I made to China are to my parents. Seldom have I got in touch with my friends in China. Seeing many people talking with their friends in China through phones for hours on the corridor every night, I just cannot understand. Why do they have so much to talk about?
I accept that I am not a person who is good at social intercourse. I seldom take the initiative of saying “hello” to friends when I am on QQ, even though there are friends I want to talk to. When meeting with someone I am acquainted, usually I prefer to pass by with my head crouched rather than greeting him/her. Also making calls to friends in China seems quite embarrassed to me. I used to tell myself that they had already formed their new intercourse circles, they might already forget you and they did not care whether you give them a call regularly or not. It seems all these reasons that prevent me from calling them only indicate that I am afraid of receiving cold receptions.
However one day in April which has been nearly 4 months since I came here, I was just on the spur of the moment to make a phone call to one of my friend. I searched out my phone book which had been neglected in a corner for quite a while, found her number and dialed. I could feel my fast heartbeats and nervousness while waiting for the line to be connected. After a long time waiting I heard the familiar voice. I told her who I was and then unexpected, I heard her exciting and surprising screams. “I nearly missed your phone. It was such a strange number that I intended not to answer it. Why didn’t you give me a call earlier? We miss you so much and we sometimes joked that you had disappeared from the earth…” Hearing the familiar voice, listening to her talking about her current live and telling her how I am going on just made me feel so warm and moving.
Hanging up the phone, I realized that they are all there. They never forget me and they are waiting for me to contact them for they don’t have my phone number and address. It is me who is afraid of being estranged and it is still me who will really make myself being estranged if I don’t take initiative.

Protest in Thailand

2009-04-20T21:42:00.000-07:00

The protest which last three weeks was abandoned this Wednesday. The ousted Prime Minister Tasksin's supporters, the so-called " Red shirts" ended the siege of Prime Minister Abhisit's offices. The demonstrators in the rest of Bangkok scattered about since the troops on Monday used tear gas and automatic-weapon fire to clear the protester. Finally the protest was defused without major bloodshed. Seemingly PM Abhisit won the public-relations war and the ousted PM Tasksin had the worst day of all his life because his own chance to return Thailand was heavily weakened by the the end of the rampage of his supporters. After all, Thailand was greeted by a period of peace.

That severe protest has done significant damage to the already-weak economy and the image of Thailand in the world. As for economy, GDP of Thailand fell annualized, season-adjusted 2-3.5per cent. More seriously, the economy was expected to shrink 17 per cent from the previous quarter. The tourism of Thailand was anticipated to be heavily weakened due to lasting political chaos since last year. On November last year two main international airports in Bangkok had been closed for four days. Tourists could not either step out of the airports or get on any airplane. Some of them even faced the chance of being killed for the present government's "yellow shirt" supporter rushed into the airpoints with guns and bullets. This time the traffic in Bangkok was jammed by the "red shirts". Numorous of visitors complained about an horrible journey to Thailand.

Worsestill, the Asian meeting was forced to be cancelled because the leader of China, Japan and Korea had no chance to go out of the hotels. The vital meeting aimed at resolving the worst global slump in decades and had been put back for three months because of the political chaos at that time.It was tragedy that an important chance to grapple with the economic downturn could not fufill its expectation. Thailand government was accordingly blammed and even some countries claimmed that Thailand should not have host the Asian meeting.
In my opinion, no matter who win the public-relations war, all people in Thailand end up losers. As long as Thailand remains politically unstable, the chance for Thailanders is slim to win the battle with the global recession. Both Tasksin and Abhisit should stop hostile and work hand-in-hand to help their mother country out of the terrible economic slump. Negotiation is a preoccupancy for them.

Death

2009-04-20T17:45:00.000-07:00

Today, another officer whose name is Feng Xiang hanged himself. As far as I know, he is the third person who committed suicide after the havoc in Beichuang.
The first one is a woman called Luo Guiqiong. She was 59 years old. She broke her bones in the earthquake. That was very painful. On 23rd, October, 2008, she jumped to her death. She said that she could no longer bear the pain. She also told her friend that it was a waste of money and time to let her stay in the hospital. She left her partner who loved her deeply and chose the way to death.
The second one is a man called Dong Yufei. He was an officer in Beichuang. When the earth happened, he got seriously injured. He became silent since he saw his son’s corpse. However, he kept working for the government. One of his colleague said that he did not have his lunch until it was three or four o’clock. He was too tired and miserable to live on. As a result, he ended his life.
The third one is Feng Xiang. He was also an officer in Beichuang, with his son buried under the remains. He hanged himself at two o’clock a.m. In his will he said that if I died, I could go to heaven and accompany you, my son. If I died, my ashes could be with you and I would never leave again, my son. It was really a tragedy.
Sadness can overwhelm all of us. Nonetheless, live on whatever happens. Death can just help you escape from reality. People who care about you will get hurt.
http://blog.qq.com/qzone/719161691/1240160006.htm
This is the URL for the will of Feng Xiang.

Pancakes

2009-04-19T07:09:00.001-07:00

This afternoon, I went to Tampines to get my package which was brought to me by a student who studied in Temasek Polytechnic and came from the same city with me. The package was small and contained two pairs of trousers and some pancakes original from Shandong Province.

This kind of pancake is quite different from the common ones. It’s unique in Shandong Province of China. It’s made of corn paste. It’s flat like newspaper and as thin as paper when it is heated on the special pan as large as a tire of a car. After the paste get solid, we take it off from the pan and fold it three time to shape the round the pancake into a rectangle. It is the common food in Shandong. Especially in the countryside, people eat more pancakes than noodles and steamed bread, and they seldom eat rice. We usually roll pancakes to wrap dishes like vegetable and meat. However, the most famous manner of eating pancakes is to use pancakes to wrap raw spring onions with sweet fermented flour paste.

Although pancakes are very cheap in China, I did think the pack of pancakes were pretty valuable. When I got back to Eton Hall, I could not wait to tell my friends from Shandong that I got a pack of pancakes! They were excited more than I expected them to be. We ate the pancakes without spring onions, without sweet fermented flour paste. In fact, there is no much taste. However, we savord the process as if we were eating the most delicious food in the world. I could see the gleam in their eyes. Yes, it is what we used to eat back in Shandong. I felt I was at home. I think this is what we call culture identity.
I still have some pancakes. If you’d like to have a try, please let me know.

Who Betrayed the Little Hedgehog?

2009-04-19T06:55:00.000-07:00

In the forest lived a little hedgehog. The fox always attempted to make him his food, regarding him a great delicacy. The hedgehog, however, was covered with dense, erectile spines, rolling into a spine ball for protection when the fox approached. The fox was completely baffled.

One day, the duck, the little hedgehog’s best friend, said, “I admire your “suit of armor” very much. Even the fox have no idea what to do with it. It is really miraculous!” The hedgehog was so proud of his “armor” that he rejoined, “To be honest, there is some detect in my “miraculous armor”. When I roll into a ball, there is a small hole on my stomach. If someone blows into it, I will feel unbearable itch and spread myself.” The duck was surprised after hearing that, thinking that the hedgehog should have such a secret. “This is my fatal secret, and I have only told you, my best friend.” said the hedgehog, “You should never tell others, or I will be in great danger.” The duck swore an oath not to reveal the secret, and the hedgehog confided in her.

Before long, when the duck chatted with her friend, the rabbit, she could not help telling her this secret. After telling her, the duck felt a bit uneasy, thinking that she had betrayed her best friend. However, the rabbit said, “The fox is my enemy, not my friend, then how come I will tell him this secret? Come on, don’t blame yourself any more, I promise that I will never tell others.” In this way, the duck put her mind at ease.

Nevertheless, the rabbit was seized by the fox one day. At the moment she was about to be eaten by him, she suddenly thought about the hedgehog’s secret. So she said to the fox, “If you release me, I will tell you a beneficial secret about the hedgehog.” Then the fox released the rabbit, provided that she told him the secret.

Of course, the hedgehog was eaten by the fox finally. Before he died, he desperately shouted, “Why you nasty duck betray me!”

Let’s reflect on this story. Who is the betrayer on earth? Is it the duck, or the rabbit? In my opinion, it is plain that neither of them is the betrayer. It is the hedgehog himself who betray him first. If you, yourself, even cannot keep your secret solidly, let alone other people.

Some reflections about today’s lesson

2009-04-18T21:27:00.000-07:00

We were asked to be the judge in a scenario, which put me in a dilemma. A druggist in town discovered a kind of drug which could save a woman suffering a lethal disease. However, the price he charged was far beyond what the husband could afford. Having failed in negotiating with the druggist, the husband was left no choice but broke in the drug store to steal the drug for his wife.

I felt torn by conflicting emotions when I was forced to judge this man’s behavior. From the perspective of human, it would be just like slapping the face of the god of mercy if I pick on a desperate husband trying his best to save his wife even with risk of being arrested. However, letting this kind of behavior alone would also be seen as trampling on our modern civilization which is built upon laws.

Taking an inappropriate example, cornered dogs bite even if they are good ones. Most people will show sympathy for people in that situation, but it does not necessarily mean that they will agree on their behavior. Laws are ruthless rules that people agree on. Once violated, you pay for it. It is its strict implementation that keeps the order of the society. We must show our constant respect for rules because criminals will always find an excuse if specials are accepted.

In the greedy druggist’s shoes, it is understandable that he wants to make profits from his discovery which could have cost blood, sweat and tears. Nevertheless, I should blame the legislators that they actually forgot to make a law supervising pricing. If only there were any law prohibiting overpricing, the tragedy could have been avoided. If only the druggist did a little kindness to the man to accept installment, the tragedy could also have been avoided.

Anyway, this is just the world we live in, where things do not do ideally, where nobleness and evil mingle, where life goes on and on nonstop.

Chinese Room

2009-04-18T21:20:00.000-07:00

Chinese room is a thought experiment used to show that a symbol processing machine can never be labelled as an intelligent machine or a machine with a “mind”. There is a very famous hypothesis called Turing’s “polite convention”, “If a machine acts as intelligently as a human being, then it is as intelligent as a human being”. Is it true? You will see.

Before we start the experiment, we must think about a question – If a machine can answer questions in Chinese as fluently and naturally as a native speaker, does it necessarily mean that the machine can understand Chinese?

Let’s assume that there is a machine which can only understand English locked in an isolated room. In that room, there is a thorough and complete manual of how to answer questions in Chinese written in English. There are also necessary stationery like paper and pen in that room.

A Chinese native speaker writes questions in Chinese on a piece of paper and sends the piece of paper into the room through a slot. Then the machine answers the question by looking up the answer in the English manual, writes the answer on another piece of paper and sends it back. From the result, the native speaker finds that the answer is completely right and natural. The native speaker may assert that the machine can understand Chinese very well.

However, is it true? Actually, our assumption is that the machine can only understand and knows nothing about Chinese. But it just seems unreal for the native speaker because he gets right and natural answers from that room. There must be someone who understands Chinese. Then who is this mysterious guy?

If you are interested in it, you may try to figure it out yourself.

2009-04-18T21:18:00.000-07:00

Blood on the river
Recently, I am reading a book called blood on the river, a novel written by Elisa Carbone. The novel based on a true story how English colonies established a colony called James Town in 1607 in Virginia, how they met a lot of problems, and how they lived together with local Indians. I have to say that the author really have a gift in telling stories and describing details. All what was happening in the story are vivid beyond my eyes when I am reading. What is more, the main character, a page of a brave and knowledgeable leader, whose name is Samuel, is of much attraction to me. His voice entered my head with the first line. Through his eyes, I got what happened in the New World.
As the story shows, the colonies in James Town had a fight with local immediately they landed in the New World. However, the natives pretended to be friendly to them and spied them secretly until they managed an attack one day. Thanks to Caption Smith, the master of Samuel, who know the native language and managed to communicate with natives, they from a relationship with some of the natives, though very fragile. When winter came, Caption Smith and some other people were sent to another place to found another colony, where a native tribe lived near. That is relay very lucky to them because many men in James Town died of unexpected starvation, while they received favor from natives. Meanwhile, they form a good relationship with the tribe nearby.
However, things began to change when some new colonies came the second year. They are so proud and they considered natives to be savages. They even killed two natives. Caption Smith went back to England later. And more men came who knew little about natives. They are savages, they are all. Then, you know what happened later, many natives were killed and their land was taken over by colonies.
It is really a good novel with a good story, which deserves to read. And you can watch the movie saying the same thing called THE NEW WOTLD to get a visual experience.

The facilities for disabled people in Singapore

2009-04-18T01:09:00.000-07:00

Last Friday I missed the bus which was directly from LT31 in NUS to Eton Hall. So there was no choice for me but to take another bus. I needed to reach the bus station first. If you have had such experience like me, you must know that I had to cross a overpass. The overpass is a little bit strange. It does not have steps like other overpasses. Two slightly-oblique slopes take the place of steps which make it a long way to go. As I was annoyed by such a long way, a person who sat in a wheelchair came down. I got to understand the design of the overpass. It is for disabled people.

In fact, such public infrastructures can be seen almost everywhere in Singapore. As for pavements, where there are steps, there is usually a slightly-oblique slope beside it. In terms of elevators, you can notice that the buttons are low enough for those disabled people to reach. Another example is washroom. Normally there are special washrooms for disabled ones. There are handrails beside the lavatory. It is convenient for them to use.

However, you seldom see these facilities in cities in China. The fact is that there are around 82,000,000 disabled people in China, but you can not even meet one of them in streets. As my own opinion, it is partly related to the lack of basic facilities for disabled people. Although there are special side walk for blind people in some cities of China, in my observation, many of the ways are taken up by bicycles or other things. Even in Beijing, they do not realize the lack of infrastructures for disabled people until they are going to open the 2008 Paralympic Games.

The planners of cities in China should learn from Singapore. There is a long way to go for the infrastructures in China.

End of the road for international torch relays

2009-04-18T00:29:00.000-07:00

The Singapore Youth Olympic Games, which will be hosted here in August 2010, will have the honour of being the last Olympic event to feature an international torch relay. Several days ago, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided to end the international torch relays for the future Olympic Games. The torch relay will only be held inside the host country. But an exception has been made for the Singapore Youth Olympic Games because it is the first Youth Olympic Games in the world and the International Olympic Committee wants to make it influential among the youth all around the world. This is exactly the debut of the IOC’s new initiative to engage the world’s youth.
You may ask why the IOC cancelled the international torch relays. The reason is obvious. As is known to us, the Olympic Games are always connected to politics, economic development and diplomatic issues, which are barely related to sports and athletics. The international torch relay is regarded as a platform for the politicians to show the power of their countries and political attitudes towards other countries. It is also a stage where the protesters to show their dissatisfaction with the governments and denounce the countries they are opposed to. Last year’s international torch relay for the Beijing Olympic Games was interrupted for many times during the flame’s trip in Europe. This picture shows a torch-bearer squeezed his way through the protesters in London. The IOC wants to purify the Olympic Games and separates it from politics, competitions between countries and so on. They have no choice but to cancel the international torch relays.
For the Singapore Youth Olympic Games torch relay, the flame will be lit in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of Olympic Games. Then it will go on a trip to five cities in five continents, including Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Oceania. The flame’s voyage will culminate in a round-the –island relay in Singapore. After that it will go to the Floating Platform in Marina Bay, light the Games cauldron and mark the start of the world’s first Youth Olympic Games.
People are excited about that a six-stop voyage of the torch will precede the inaugural ceremony for the Games in August next year, but it’s pity that the international torch relays have been cancelled for other Olympic Games in the future. I think we all hope that the IOC could change its mind and resume it. Before that, we have a long way to go to get rid of the political influences on Olympics and make it “clear”.

Addiction to Xiaonei

2009-04-17T03:21:00.000-07:00

Recently, we are doing the research about the addiction to the computer. I gradually find that most of SM3 students including me are addicted to Xiaonei, which is a website like facebook. Students can leave messages to friends, write journals, make new friends or keep in touch with old friends, send images and do other things as well after they log in Xiaonei. I observe that when students connect with the internet, the first thing they will do is to log in Xiaonei to check the messages and so on.

There are different opinions of whether it is good to overuse Xiaonei. Someone says that it is a waste of time to spend much time on Xiaonei. It is really true that many people spend several hours on Xiaonei. Sometimes they may have nothing to do with Xiaonei, but just look at the website.

On the contrary, someone says they can benefit from Xiaonei. When they use Xiaonei, they can find some friends who were out of connection with them before. At the same time, they can know the recent developments and life of their friends by reading their journals and watch their photos. It is convenient for students to keep in touch with friends and make new friends.

In my opinion, if we can use Xiaonei appropriately, it is to be a perfect stage, in which we can make new friends, connect with old friends and also present ourselves. However, once you spend all your spare time on Xiaonei, it will affect your life and studying. So, we should learn to manage our time and be self-discipline. Addiction to Xiaonei is just a kind of wasting time.

My Good Friday and Easter Day

2009-04-16T19:03:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was quite special for me. It was Good Friday and Easter day. Though I am not a Christian, I participated in a sermon in Friday evening and a church service in Sunday morning. The two activities left totally different impressions on me.

I and several friends are invited by a local friend to go to Expo to listen to a sermon given by Doctor Stephen Tong. Actually I got quite irritated and angry after the sermon. I do think any religion should be tender. However, some of the comments the Doctor gave to us were just too extreme and biased. He said: “Democratic is very dangerous, how can you let the fate of the whole nation go to numerous fools’ hands.” Did he mean that all the believers are stupid? Did he mean that we should go back to kaiserism or something like that? He also cursed the future of China and America, criticized the socialism and capitalism. He blamed other religions and many Christian Church and clergy as if he was the only man who is right in the world. How can a person be so aggressive? Is it the only way to prove you are right that you should tell others they are wrong? I don’t think so.

After the awful experience, I had no intention to go for the service in Sunday morning. However, I convinced myself it must be another situation.

The service was mostly proceeding in singing. Actually, I have been to several services in Singapore. The way they do the service was quite different from the one I watched in movies. It was not that solemn. In my imagination, it is not right to laugh in any religious rite. Nonetheless, all the preachers made jokes, and even themselves laughed now and then. I’d like to say this is the biggest cultural shock I have had in Singapore. To my surprise, I was invited to convert to Christian. I said I had little knowledge in God, so I could not let him led my life. They said it was OK, but they told me even I didn’t know much about God, I could still let God lead my life and show me the direction. “Everyone is sinner, you know.” I just could not accept. However, they did not push me and make me do that which I think was more like what a religion should be. They sent me a Bible. Whatever the intention is, I’d like to read it.

It is amazing that environment and education could make such a big difference in human being’s thinking manners.

Some random feelings

2009-04-15T17:23:00.000-07:00

The change
Realize it or not, we’ve already spent around five months in Singapore, from being an outlier to feel quite familiar here; from having a lot of plans in mind to face difficult realities; from walking alone to have somebody behind… I believe, everyone changed, not only in feelings, but also in behaviors and thoughts. It’s not a math problem to judge the changes are right or wrong, it just happened. Maybe just like Ms. Jenny said, after five or six years, we’ll feel home when in Singapore, at least, it will become our second home. After some time, we’ll get used to walk through zebra line without seeing left to right; we’ll get used to drive on right; we’ll get used to put things on bench and leave; we’ll get used to the green world; we’ll get used to Singapore. Changes will take step by step and influence us, in the near future.

The Hall
We came from distinct provinces of China and have different backgrounds and culture; it is fate, which links us together as SM3 students in Eton Hall. No matter how bad impressions we had at first time, I’m quite sure that many, even most of us has special feelings for it currently. It’s our home not just hostel in such a place far away from China. Maybe some of us think aunties are strict with us while uncle is funny, actually, they’re all care about us, sometimes you just need to smile at them and everything will be ok. What’s more, someone complains the noise roommates made at night, I faced that as well. However, you can think about the advantages of being together, the chatting, the jokes and happy time we spend. After we went to NUS, we have at most two persons in one room, maybe only till then can we find out how valuable and busy we were. There’re just not more than three months to go, so appreciate the time now, the leisure time in Eton Hall.

The Homesick
I’m very homesick now, I miss the food, the shopping malls, and most important, my families in Chongqing. I believe you are in my situation, too. We’re so eager to go back home that if there’s any chance we would like to buy a ticket home immediately. But have you ever come up that when you’re in China after two of more weeks, you’ll miss here as well? You’ll compare Singapore and your hometown subliminally, finding shortcomings there and advantages here. Just like what I mentioned above, the concept of “home” became blurry. Homesick, homesick, which one is my home?

End
Time flies, people change. I’d like to share some of my feelings at this moment. No matter whether I’ll change my mind or not, no matter which school we’ll finally accepted, please value your time in bridging course and your friends. Time never comes back, what you have now is most precious.

The Meaning of "opp"

2009-04-14T06:54:00.001-07:00

At the beginning of this article, I want to tell you a funny experience my SM3 friends had.

A few days after arriving Singapore, some friends of mine wanted to take a taxi back to Eton hall instead of taking a bus as usual. Since Eton hall is not a well-known place, they decided to tell the driver the name of the bus stop we usually get off which is quite near Eton hall. The bus stop is named “opp Gillman hts Condo”, but they can just remember the first word, “opp”. Apparently, they didn’t know what the meaning of “opp” is. So, after they got on the taxi, they told the taxi driver to send them to “opp” without hesitation. The driver was totally confused, because “opp” can be found everywhere. The driver told them that “opp” is short for the word “opposite”, and they felt so embarrassed.

Of course, this is a joke about language. However, behind this joke, we may find a fact that our vocabulary is not so balanced. Maybe, we can remember some so called difficult or long words occurred in the textbooks. We, including the teachers, are crazy about fancy words because they can help us out in the examinations. But when it comes to everyday life vocabulary, I didn’t know the words even three years old English-speaking children know, such as “seesaw”, “flip-flops”. Don’t even mention the informal expressions used frequently in the English-speaking world. These are not allowed to appear in the text books, but they do appear in our daily life.

So this is a paradox in English education. Maybe in English teaching, the content should be more relevant to our life. I think language, basically is just a tool to communicate. It should be used in our life eventually. For me, it is really a pity that having learnt English for so many years, we still don’t know the meaning of “opp”.

Conquering Stereotypes

2009-04-13T02:05:00.000-07:00

On finishing watching the movie Freedom Writer, I immediately recall the story. Honestly, I had some doubts about it. For instance, how did those students find hope after talking with those who survived the Holocaust during the World War II? Since I have never had the similar experience before, I could not relate them to myself, and I did not know their feelings, but I do appreciate what Erin has done to her students.

By and large, this is a very successful movie. All the plots were elaborated. It was adapted from a true story which happened in the late 1980s after the Los Angeles riots. It vividly revealed the uproar among those teenagers, who were Black, Latino, and Asian, and who had to fight “a war of street” that began long before they were born. Under such a circumstance, Ms. Erin Gruwell, who planned to devote herself to education, was badly challenged by her students at the very first time. From the conversation she had with the students at beginning, we could readily find that her students hated her, for she was a white woman who the students thought did not understand them at all. Nonetheless, Erin still made all her efforts to get close to her students, and to get through their stereotypes toward her. Finally, she won the students’ respect, and helped them fight for their destinies. What a success!

In my point of view, I think what this movie can bring to me is that almost everyone in the world may have stereotypes from others, just like Erin and her students. Eluding can not be a solution, you have to confront them, and what you should do is to try your best to correct those stereotypes. To reiterate, I think this movie is worth watching.

Reflection on Patriotism

2009-04-12T22:22:00.001-07:00

Patriotism is part of my school education ever since kindergarten. Every Monday, we would display our national flag and sing the national anthem. But most of the time, it was only an abstract concept. Now I am in Singapore, I have experienced real patriotic feelings in my heart more often than in my homeland. When my friends and I hear a foreigner talking about China negatively, we will argue with him unanimously and emotionally to uphold our government’s policy even if sometimes we can’t justify ourselves. I am sometimes confused: Why, back in China, when Chinese people criticize China in the same way, it won’t feel that evocative?

On Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, patriotism is defined as love and devotion to one’s nation. The definition varies according to the development of human civilization, geographical differences, cultural or political contexts. However, the question is how does patriotism, as a virtue, come into being?

In prehistoric times, there was no concept of patriotism yet. People belonging to different tribes fought against each other for the ownership of limited resources such as a well to sustain their living. The fiercest warrior is rewarded with more food and adored by the whole tribe. Obviously, without a loyal fight for one’s tribe, the whole group would starve to death. Unable to survive as an individual, people gave up domestic dispute temperately and sought cooperation within the tribe to clear up the outside threat together. Then there was a need for a spirit that can unite the whole group in times of emergency. Hence people were encouraged by their ruler to regard defending the interest of their own group as a self-evident virtue demonstrated with selflessness. Nevertheless, it is actually resulted from the instinct of self-protection and self-concern.

Nations without this spirit are more likely to fail in their wars with others or be destroyed by domestic up-rise to reallocate the natural resources and social wealth. During the process of civilization development this idea was gradually promoted into a broader concept that not only entails the defence of the territory, but also the preserving of the unique culture and tradition which are essential for the domestic stability. This gave rise to humanity and beneficence in patriotism. As time passed by, the idea was passed on from generation to generation and eventually evolved into part of the virtue education for the offspring.

In that sense, patriotism is a weapon when crisis occurs. The crisis can either come from conflicts caused by limited wealth and resources or from natural disasters that overwhelm people as a group of human-beings who are fighting against ruthless nature.

My hometown, Sichuan province was hit by a 8.0 magnitude earthquake last year. During that time I could personally feel a nationwide surge in patriotism. People demonstrated in public places in support of the government. In Chengdu, the queues of volunteers donating blood even blocked the traffic. The unprecedented unity and a sense of charity rekindled the community spirit which was dying down since the reformation and modernization policy.

In the face of overwhelming natural disasters, human-beings realize that they are still fragile creatures who are at the mercy of the nature. People of the region affected can’t count on other nations to relate to their grievance or expect unlimited assistance. The only means to survive as an individual is to first survive as a group. That is why we can always observe a surge in patriotism when disaster occurs.

Though most people regard patriotism as a holy virtue and grudge associating it with selfishness. In my opinion, patriotism is originated from self-concern and is the highest form of self-affirmation. By upholding the interest of the nation as a whole, we are making others identify the value of our nation. If a nation’s value is highly respected, as one of its citizens, the individual’s value will also be acknowledged and respected. If a nation can’t keep itself afloat, there is no guarantee for private property or personal safety.

Yet in a relatively stable domestic environment we lack the awareness of a potential threat and the sense of emergency which can evoke self-protection and self-affirmation, hence less demonstrations of patriotism. That is why I feel less patriotic when I was in China. Patriotism is in fact a kind of love and devotion that we select subconsciously to demonstrate under fatal circumstances. Though the origin of patriotism is selfish to some extent, it results in the well-being of the whole region and a promotion of the community spirit.

Enjoy the present

2009-04-12T21:48:00.000-07:00

When I was skimming xiaonei (the facebook for Chinese students), I read a survey among my high school friends. In the survey they were asked if you had had a chance to spend a year in senior 3 again with the same classmates and teachers, were you willing to do so? More than 70% of my friends said yes. At first sight I was quite surprised, because almost everyone regarded senior 3 as a nightmare when we were experiencing it. Then I asked myself what I would choose. Thinking of piles of reference books, endless homework, frequent examinations, lack of sleep, so limited exercise time and so on, I hesitated for a long time, however, I still chose I would like to.
When we were in senior 3, all we could feel were press and tension. Complains about these made us ignore lots of meaningful and wonderful things in our live and study. The thought that once we enter university we will be totally free and relaxing urged us to be more fed up with our high school live and envision wonderful university lives. Now we are really in universities. Looking back at our senior 3 live, we begin to fix more attention on the wonderful memories which had been ignored before, especially when compared with our university live.
It is true that we gain more freedom and relaxation when in university. We don’t have to stay in the same classroom and the same seat from 7am to 10 pm every day. Teachers won’t urge us to finish our homework and do as many exercises as possible. No teacher will come to class in a sudden to catch students chatting and punish them. There are not tests every week. No ranks will be posted…… However, when we enjoy the freedom and relaxation, we lose something as well. In senior 3, about 70 students studied in the same classroom for such a long time that we were quite familiar with every classmate. During breaks we had mutual topics and many people would join. We had many responsible teachers who were willing to sacrifice their own time to help us make progress. We could find many interesting elements in even trivial things and laughed for a long time. We had the satisfaction of accomplishing a good test paper. All these little happiness and concern help build our live so colorful. What a pity that we did not realize them before.
These days when my friends and I feel bored and are not satisfied with our current live, we talk about our beautiful memories in senior school. Nevertheless, I can’t always live in the past and fill myself with nostalgia. I have already felt regret that we just complained and did not treasure good times in high school. Now in university there are things that don’t appear as expected, but I have to change my attitude and appreciate good things I can enjoy as an undergraduate. Only by doing so, will I enjoy my university live and not regret.

A Good model

2009-04-07T23:16:00.000-07:00

Is it possible for a girl who stands as short as 1.55m to reach the destiny as the best Ping-pang player all through the world? Is it possible for a girl who could even not jot down all the 26 English characters at first to attain an economic PhD of Cambridge University? Ms Deng Yaping will tell you the answer is true.

Born short, Ms Deng Yaping who was fond of Ping-pang was rejected by any sports school. She could not take the usual path to realizing her dream of becoming a prestigious player. As a result, her father became the supervisor of her and made detailed and challenging training plan for her. To her father’s relief, Deng Yaping spared no effort to improve herself and always did more than he ordered her. There is a will, there is a win. As young as 10-year old, Deng Yaping who were an amateur beaten a couple of professional players and won the championship. The following was another gold medal three years later and what was the icing on the cake was the acceptance from the national Ping-pang team. Deng Yaping always worked much harder than her peers as well as the request of the national team. It was revealed that every day Deng Yaping hit the Ping-pang ball at least 10,000 times. Efforts paid off. Step by step, she obtained numerous gold medals and was on her road to success. Finally she struggled her way to the highest level of two batches of Olympic Games. Deng Yaping ranked No.1 in the world for amazing 8 years. No wonder so many competent players said it was a grief to play Ping-pang in the age of Deng Yaping.

As a saying is going, success is a journey instead of a destination. Her legend was not coming to an end. She was admitted by the English department of Qinghua University immediately after the termination of her sports life. At first, she had no idea what the tutors were saying and could only keep track of whatever she was able to recognize. Despite the enormous difficulty, she determined to go down the road. In order to sharpen her English, she set aside 14 hours in everyday life to learn English and kept repeating whatever she heard from the tapes and broadcast. After one year in Qinghua University and three months in the center for English learning of Cambridge University, she was amazingly able to talk free with Chairman Samaranch (International Olympic Committee) in English. She even managed to make speeches in front of the International Olympic Committee when Beijing was striving for the chance of hosting Olympic Games.

Last year she served as the vice dean of Olympic village in times of Beijing Olympic Games. Subsequently she took over two positions of two separate subordinate committee of International Olympic Committee. Her future also deserves being looked forward to. Deng Yaping always challenges the difficult things and even what seems impossible when she is at a crossroads. I am deeply impressed by the legendary story of Deng Yaping and her courage to pursuit what she wants no matter what lies on the road. Actually I felt discouraged and it was hardly possible to achieve a high level of English in the past. And since now I will change my tune because I have Deng Yaping as my model. It is time to take steps towards doing something challenging and different.
Let’s go head!

Cherry blossom in Wuhan University

2009-04-06T22:11:00.000-07:00

Cherry blossom in my home university—Wuhan University has blossomed out for several days. Like the past decades hundreds of thousands of people come to visit. My friends in Wuhan University told me that looking down from the class windows, all they saw were snow-white flowers and people’s heads.
These cherry blossom trees have a long history. When Japanese troops occupied Wuhan, they settled down at Wuhan University and built a sanatorium there. In order to alleviate soldiers’ homesick, they brought seeds of cherry blossom to Wuhan and planted around their abodes. Those are only a small portion of trees that visitors can see today. After the war, we Chinese planted more in order to build up our relationship with Japan as well as remind us of the history.
However, nowadays how many people still remember the reasons of planting these trees? Most people come only to see the beautiful scenery. It is reported that a mother and her daughter even dressed up in kimono and took photos under cherry blossom trees. Students and visitors were so furious with them that they drove them away. Maybe they just thought it was fun doing so and the photos would be very beautiful. However will they still do so if they have at least the slightest memory of what Japanese had down to Chinese in the past? Even administrators in the school may forget the history—it is not free to pay a visit. Everyone except for students and teachers in Wuhan University coming to see the scenery has to pay 10 Yuan. So the school has totally changed it into a means of earning money. If it really wants us to think of the history and ponder over our relationship with Japan, it should no longer charge any fees. Furthermore, display boards can be made to tell visitors about how these trees were planted, Japanese cultures, the history of the war between China and Japan, how is our relation today and so on. It will be much more meaningful than just enjoying the beautiful flowers.

Reflection on our project

2009-04-05T17:46:00.000-07:00

To tell the truth, we have never done a project before when we were in China. So when hearing that we are going to submit a research report at the end of Phase 2, I felt unconfident about it.

During the recess week, we (Daniel, XINGXING, JUZHENG and me) visited Ms Leo in her house. She gave us some instructions and supervision on our project. The most important is that she let each of us choose one role from group leader, researcher, surveyor and editor. Thus we four are responsible for different aspects of our project, which will make it more efficient. Especially after I read the guidelines for students carefully on project work, the previous anxiety disappeared. As long as we conducted our research according to the strategies, principles and guide the material recommend, there should be no problem, I thought at that time.

Only when we started did we know that it was not so easy. During the process of deciding which topic we are going to work on, there were different points of view. Group leader (Daniel) thought that we should do something interesting, which could attract the audience and readers. While I held the view that we had better do something practical. If we apply the results of our project into our daily life, it may help improve something. After our discussion, we concluded that our points of view were not contradictory. We brainstormed five ideas. Then we needed to choose one from the five topics. It was difficult to make a choice. Each topic had its strengths and weaknesses. We referred to the strategies and principles for choosing topics. Finally we came to the topic “the attitude of Singaporeans towards the Chinese products”. Later on, we found that our topic was too general. We had to narrow it. Again we came to the crossroads. If we narrow our topic improperly, it will make our project unbalanced. But our topic was actually big. We decided to narrow from Singaporeans to NUS students. It is better and more practical for us to conduct our survey.

Well, you see that we spent two days on deciding our topic. Then we need background information. That is my work. I have to look through as much information as possible in order to obtain enough useful information. As for web pages, I have looked through at least 100 pages. Although it is a tough job, when I share the information I selected with them, I felt happy and satisfied. Every time I know that we are nearer to our final report, I have a feeling of accomplishment. During our teamwork, I see there are so many ideas from my fellows for one question, which make my mind more open. The other three guys are also very cooperative. I believe that we can do a good job at last.

There is one old Chinese saying that nothing will block you as long as you are eager to achieve something. That is it.

2009-04-05T07:07:00.000-07:00

About the ban on American dramas in China
On 1st, April, 2009, the National Broadcast& TV General Bureau announced that it would put a ban on the American dramas on the Internet. It means that since that day, there will not be any American dramas for mainland China any more. This causes a great shock among the netizens. Some of them even say that it is a present given by our country by the April Fools’ Day.
This makes me think about the condition of foreign TV shows in China. On one hand, it is right to prohibit Chinese watching the dramas online, because we do not have the copyright. Some famous American dramas, such as “Prison Break”, are translated into Chinese by some unknown people. After the translations, they upload the dramas to some websites like youku and youtube. Such behaviors are great violations of laws about intellectual property. In terms of laws, China is right to ban the dramas, which also shows respect for the American companies.
On the other hand, I am more or less suspicious to think that the decree is just a protection for the Chinese dramas. It is universally known that the National Broadcast& TV General Bureau has declared that the TV stations are only allowed to broadcast the homemade cartoons. This action is said to protect the domestic cartoons. I have another question. Is it necessary to do so? Actually, I do not think the cartoons made in China, which are too childish or meaningless, are good enough to educate children. In terms of the American dramas, is the decree issued intended to protect the Chinese TV series which are becoming more and more boring? If so, the decree is going to make the life dull.
In my opinion, the decree will not stop civilians to watch the TV series. Although the problem of copyright exists, it is still a good idea to watch the American dramas. Otherwise, the life in China will be more boring, which we cannot bear.

Trip To The Zoo

2009-04-05T06:19:00.000-07:00

Even before I came to Singapore for study, I had heard the big name for Singapore Zoo. It was said that Singapore Zoo is one of the best zoos in this world and that was part of the reason I have been long for Singapore Zoo. When I had the chance to see Singapore Zoo in person in the recess week, I had to admit that what others said was true enough.
It was a damp and hot day, but consecutive heat waves did not decrease our excitement of the zoo we were going to visit. Wu Wen, Liao Ruiqian, Zhong Jun, Ma Ruifeng , our mentor Ms Jenny and I took a long journey all the way to the northern part of Singapore which is the location where Singapore Zoo stands.
Once we arrived finally, there was a animal show waiting for us. We rushed to the Shaw Foundation Center to watch the animal show. After that , we went to see the sea lion show which was quite funny. At last, it was the elephant show as the ending of all the morning feast for all the tourists. I was fascinated by the performance of those cute animals. It was the first time for me to see such a animal play like this.
After having lunch at KFC, we spent the whole afternoon lingering in the zoo. No wonder it is named one of the best with a mock rainforest layout of a zoo. When you are shuttling in the zoo, you will catch the feeling as you are really exploiting in a rainforest. Even though, to ensure safety, there are fences between you and the animal , the fences and barriers are so well-hidden that it makes an illustration that in such a short distance are you approaching to wild animals. That was why we all could not expedite our feet, only hoping we could have infinite time to spare at each animal stall. And for me, how I wish I could run this zoo. Well, that is far beyond reality.
At dust, with the rest gleams of the sun emitting, we reluctantly got out the gate of the Singapore Zoo. For memorizing this fantastic trip in the zoo, we took a picture using the gate of Singapore Zoo as the background. What a nice zoo! Next time when my friend comes to Singapore, I will definitely take them to visit Singapore Zoo.

Sorry

2009-04-05T02:12:00.000-07:00

An e-mail knocked the bottom out of my life today. It was a short message from my mother which looked more like a warning letter to me. In the letter she complained about my coldness towards her and my father. Virtually, there were no exact words for her discontent at me but some suggestion for me to gain a high emotional quotient. However, a strong idea had formed in my mind that my parents were disappointed about me even though they could someway find excuse to comfort themselves. Always, they expected too much love from me, in most cases expectations are thwarted ending up with letdowns. Even so, only a little care shown by me can fulfill all their expectations and expel all their despairs.

My mother often lamented that children could hardly understand the sacrifices their parents made until one day they came to the trials of parenthood. Actually, I might as well say that I am unwilling to accept the fact. For a long time, I was wondering whether there is another love whose power is greater than that of parents’ love.

Whatever, being in a daze before the computer screen, I really had no idea of what to reply and suddenly found that I felt a little bit ashamed of myself. Looking back on the past three months in Singapore, it never occurred to me to send some photos to my parents so that they can know a good deal of my life here, and I never thought of taking initiative to call my parents, furthermore, I was idiotically proud of using only one top-up card for 3 months whereas some of my roommates had already used up six or more. The more I think of all these things, the more I’m convinced there must be something wrong with me. Every time my parents get through to me and anxiously asked me about all sorts of things in my study and life, what they can get in return are my perfunctory responses. Every time they give me their thoughtful advices, what they can receive are my thoughtless refusals. Every time they spare no pains to support me, what they want is just a bight future for me.

An image rose before me accidently. It was my mentor, Ms Leo. She frequently mentioned her son in my class. From the expression in her eyes, I can clearly know how proud she is of her son. Exactly, her way of speaking puts me in mind of my mother, who also takes pride in what her children have done. Maybe all the mothers are the same in the world.

Recapture what my parents have done to me again, I feel like crying.

Cures for Homesickness

2009-04-05T00:34:00.000-07:00

I reckoned that toughness, fortitude and independence would come naturally to people if needed. However I change my mind now. There are moments when we just want to hang out in the familiar streets after dinner, being held in parents' arms; when we just desire to satisfy our tongues with a simple hometown dish which contains our favourite seasoning; when we are hunger for the remote control to move rapidly between TV channels and when we are awfully tired of the other seven eyes in the dorm. At last, there is always an ultimate moment when we realise helplessly that we are too incapable to do just one of the above.

What makes homesickness sicker is that, firstly, science cannot provide a cure for all world's problems and I suppose homesickness can and only be treated by ourselves; secondly, there is no instant cure for the condition so that we may feel worse if we force ourselves to pretend to be OK; thirdly, prevention is always better than cure.

Fortunately, things can be done to stop homesickness from updating to the sickest.
To begin with, trivial things matter a lot to our emotional fluctuation. Remember to refuel and refill ourselves with new goals and hobbies so that we can be on the go and will not have time to "feel sick". Take note when choosing books and movies for entertainment, since some of them may be too sad and romantic and contain all the fine sentiment to evoke nostalgia. Comedies are secure enough to put us in a happy mood. Additionally, making regular contact with our families and friends in China can help us form a habit of missing them regularly, instead of now and then.

Moreover, optimistic is believed to be a cure-all for various psychological dissatisfaction. We can encourage ourselves to look forward and pay attention to new things. We can compare our conditions with most of the students who study in another province in China and may probably come to the conclusion that there are not many differences after all. What's more, nothing can be more factual than that time really flies, so persuading ourselves into believing that we will be at the airport next moment can effectively refresh and relax our overloaded minds. Sometimes, I feel free to imagine how my papa and mama are enjoying themselves as I am not there to criticize the food, complain about the homework and ask for more pocket money. Last but not least, keep in touch with friends here who are from the same place in China, because an atmosphere of home is sure to be created and we may feel that we are not fighting against homesickness alone, anyway.

All roads lead to Rome and this time Rome is, as a matter of a fact, right in my hands, as long as I remain the confidence to live a happy and fruitful life.

the sea and me

2009-04-04T19:28:00.000-07:00

We were friends many years ago:
My hometown is Liangshan, but I was born in Qingdao, a modern and crowed city near the sea. The seashore there is beautiful and somehow very attractive to a little boy. My mother often took me to the seashore for a walking when she was free. It was really wonderful to walk along the sea, watch the sea and listen to the sea. However, I never dared to touch the seawater which had a magic power in a little boy’s mind. It will grasp my hand and drown me, I thought. It was a pity that When my mother get me rid of this fear, we were about to go.
I missed her for a long time:
We moved to our hometown when I was four. That means I will miss the sea for a very long time as my hometown is quite far from the sea. I was sad to just watch the sea in the TV and books at first, but I got used to such things gradually. The books and the TV programs were all I have about the sea. However, when more things came to my life, such as toys, games and little friends, my interest was shared. As a result, I seemed to forget the sea gradually. Life was still continuing.
I happened to travel to a sandy beach when I was in secondary school. The experience was not exciting at all. I even cannot remember the feeling when I saw the real sea again. The sea seemed to be a big lake, a quite peaceful lake, which may be beautiful to many people, but not to me at that time.
I saw her again:
Then I came to Singapore four months ago, with all of you. I have been to Sentosa, Labardor and East Coast Park so far. You can saw a lot of ships everywhere. Many of my friends didn’t like it, but it is all right for me. The ships and the harbor gave me the feeling of the real sea, instead of the feeling of a lake. I love the sea in Labardor most, because it is more similar to the sea in my early memory.

My Complicated Feelings about Apple

2009-04-03T22:53:00.000-07:00

I love the Apple products, I mean the company, because most of them are so well-designed, fashionable and breathtakingly pretty. On the other hand, I also hate the Apple products, because they’re very hard to use for the first several times and most importantly, they have poor quality!
I admit that I fell in love with ipod for the first sight. Its simple shape and white color really took my heart. Anyway, I bought a 20GB “Ipod Photo” in Grade 1 of Senior High. When I first started to use it, it almost drove me crazy. Unlike other brand of mp3, you have to learn how to use the software iTunes. And for one who hasn’t used that before, it’s easy to get confused and it’s also easy to delete all your songs and pictures in the little white box accidentally! Apparently, it took me a million minutes to get used to it. It’s an irony that after you can make full use of it, it is the time it gets ill. In my case, it broke down when it’s in the one year guarantee period, and I got a brand-new one. After I settled the songs in this new ipod, it was stolen.
I was so frustrated that I bought a new one. At this time, it is a 30GB “Ipod Video” which I have been used for two and half years. One day, I lost all the 2000 songs I had in it because some wrong order. However, I didn’t have the copy! As a result, I had to download all the songs all over again. One day, it would not produce sound, but it happened after the guarantee period. As a result, I had to pay about S$40 to fix it. One day, on the screen appeared some strange lines, and never faded away.
One day recently, it would not produce sound again. As a result, I bought a 32GB “Ipod Touch” to give Apple Company the last chance!

It’s better to Burn Out than to Fade Away

2009-04-03T21:48:00.000-07:00

I want to say something again about Nirvana, the band I have introduced to you before. The leader of this band, Kurt Cobain, killed himself on 5th April, 1994, so tomorrow is the day to memorize him. That is why I want to share more things about him with you.

He was born in 1967, and got his first guitar at the age of 14. Nirvana were build in 1988, and began their first short term tour of music from alone the western shore of America in 1989. Their most famous CD was the one named “Nevermind”. Their “not electricity” concern in 1993 made a big success, and Nirvana came to the vertex of their career. In the 27th year of Cobain’s life, he used a bullet to end everything.

In my parents’ eyes, Cobain cannot be an idol of mine because of his decadence, and I admit that he cannot be a good model for me; however, I am just addicted to his music. Cobain treated everything as enemy for the fear of being hurt by others. He cannot bear human’s scheme and cannot live in a world where everyone should wear a mask. He was against to fear, to depress, to main stream, to rock and even to life. Therefore, his music was angry, confused and world-weary. However, his talent on music and his special kind of melody made his known to the world. He became popular and his music was on the way to the main stream, so he became confused that he was going to be the one he opposed. His “no electricity” concert is just a way he opposed himself and his rock. He did not want to be accepted by people, and he just want to stand on the opposite side to people. Unfortunately, the more he struggled, the more people liked him. In the end, he lost his excitement on music and lost his faith, so he chose to end his life.

He told us in his posthumous letter that it is better to burn out than to fade away. After his burning out, his music reborn in many people’s hearts just likes nirvana.

The dissimilarity between Chinese and Western education

2009-04-02T20:28:00.000-07:00

Though I am still having the intensive English course in CELC, I have already noticed some differences between Chinese and Western education.

From my point of view, Chinese education is more knowledge-oriented, meaning that teachers constantly focus on the importance of memorizing and applying knowledge to solving given problems and questions. Thus, a cramming method of teaching is usually adopted by high schools, even universities. As a result, some students may be so bored that they lose interest in study completely while some manage to acquire systematic knowledge of science or other subject.

On contrast, the western education is curiosity-oriented. From my own observation, western students tend to ask more questions and explore the subjects more actively compared with Chinese students. The outcome originates from the early education students receive. As more emphasis is put on raising questions, Western students are encouraged to exploit their curiosity of various kinds of subjects by themselves. Because of this, some Western students lack consolidated knowledge of a certain subject at an early stage.

It is obvious that the standards of requirement of knowledge set for Western students are comparatively low whereas students’ talents and curiosity are better exploited by teachers. In this sense, Chinese students may be more competent in getting higher marks in tests or exams (This can partially explain why some students from China do very well in international Olympic math competitions). Nevertheless, when they reach the level of PhD, it seems that it is harder for Chinese scholars to make more achievements. Ironically, many of them go overseas to broaden their horizon and seek triggers for innovation, among which we can find some successful examples like Yang Zhenning.

I consider it bliss to have the opportunity to receive tertiary education here in Singapore for the coming four years. It enables me to find more about the strengths and weakness in both Chinese and Western education system. Hopefully, I will be able to combine them in order to adapt to my own situation.

The Magic Singapore Zoo

2009-04-02T19:45:00.000-07:00

The Magic Singapore Zoo
Last Monday, we went to the Singapore Zoo with dear Ms Jenny Lun in the hospitality programme. Just before we went there, we were all full of expectations because the zoo has really a good reputation here. We all pictured different images of the zoo in our minds. But when we reached there, we were still surprised so much. The zoo is beyond our imagination. It’s so marvellous and natural.
In china, the zoo is much like a place providing custody of the animals. We always see that the animals are just barred or closed within the iron cages or behind high fences. The zoo is made of iron, wood and concrete. It’s just an artificial building or hotel for animals whose habitants were destroyed by us. The theme of setting the zoo is to protect the animals and rebuild a homeland for them. But most of the animals cannot enjoy their life here and it seems that they are just kept alive by man to ensure the biological diversity. But here, in the Singapore zoo, animals are really having a good time freely and happily. The zoo is just like a passage built into the wild world to protect the visitors from being attacked by the wild animals. We are the guests, while animals are actually the hosts. We have to keep polite and careful in their home. You will never see iron fences or high concrete walls in it. The arrangement and building style of the zoo can exactly remind tourists of the equality between man and animals. The scenery in the zoo is really beautiful and natural. Green hills, trees, flowers, wooden houses, streams and big reservoir...Besides the magic animals in the zoo, the greenery is also a feast for eyes.
There are many animal shows in the zoo through the day. After every show, the conductor will advocate the theme of protecting animals and their ecological habitants to the visitors. I think this is the original purpose of setting up zoos. The Singapore Zoo has really set a good example in this field.
You can see otters, crocodiles, turtles, chimpanzees, butterflies, monkeys and Komodo dragons here which are mainly spread in the tropical areas. But you can still find penguins, polar bears, sea cows and sea lions which live in the cold areas. One magic experience we had is the encounter with a wolf. When we went to see the wolves, a small forest just came into our eyes. We tried to find the wolves that may hid themselves in the jungles. Suddenly a yellow wolf appeared in front of us. We were all frightened and just retreated backwards as soon as possible. But then we found that the wolf cannot reach us because there was a deep trench between the passage and wolf area. A fence was built in it but it was concealed by the exuberant leaves. Then we are all released and began to take photos with the aloof but magic creature.
You can feel the naturalness and wildness of the Singapore zoo obviously. And I strongly advise you to go there and enjoy this marvel. One ticket is $18. Maybe it is a little expensive but it is really worth that money.

Select what you want

2009-04-02T19:37:00.000-07:00

Recently, the most popular topic of SM3 students is the selection of our majors. We have to decide which major we would like to chose in April. When someone comes across me, the first thing he or she asks me must about the major which I would like to select.
Actually, we should take our selection seriously, because which major we chose will influence our future. We must consider that which area we are interested in such as math, chemistry or physics. You will focus on the subjects when you have interest on them. The more interest you have, the better you can learn. So, my suggestion is that do not just follow what others chose or so called the popular major. Just select whatever you are really interested in or you want to make an achievement on. Interest can be the best promotion in your study.
Normally, we can only choose science or engineering. However, we can choose other subjects as minors or make a double degree. For instance, if you are fond of finance, you can minor in finance at the same time of your major. So I think we still have a wide range of selection. We could improve ourselves in different areas. The more ability you have, the more opportunities you can get.
What I have heard is that some people also want to select common engineering. May be it is a good selection when you are confused that which major you are interested in. You can make use of the first year of study to make sure what you like, and then go into your favorite faculty. Someone thinks that we may waste a year in the common engineering, but comparing your future this year is not wasted, for you choose a right area of your development. Generally, you may just learn one or two more subjects when you are in common engineering. So, if you are really not sure what you like, just choose common engineering.
In conclusion, we should listen to others’ opinions, but the final decision is made by ourselves.

ZOO!!!

2009-03-30T17:24:00.000-07:00

I’m quite sure that many of you went to the zoo and will focus, however, I still wanna share some of my experience with you.

First of all, I have to admit that I’ve chosen the most distant way went there. We took 33 to Queenstown, then took the green line to Outram Park, changed the purple line to Dhoby Ghaut, then changed the red line to Ang Mo Kio. It’s a bit frustrating, right? But that’s far away from our destination! We had to take bus 138, to the terminus, 17 stops in total! Can you imagine how long we spent on the way? Two hours! Alas, quite a waste of time. Hence, I strongly suggest you just take the green line to Jurong East, then take the red line to Choa Chu Kang and bus 927(I’m not very sure on the number), you will get to the zoo less than one hour.

Secondly please remember, Singapore has summer only. No matter it rains or not, the temperature is high all the time, especially when you have to be outside for almost a day. I made such a big mistake for I wore jeans that day to resist the powerful cold air on MRT and buses. But later I realized I would be die cold rather than die hot. I was sweated all over that seemed I had a fever! So please keep in mind: skirt, pants and enough water or at least a plastic bottle are necessary equipments. One fellow of my group were almost got heat stroke that day. How dangerous! Be careful, we you have fun, watch out for your health.

Thirdly, the zoo has many shows and they just performed on particular times. If you don’t wanna miss those wonderful shows, maybe you can follow my advice on routes: the Rainforest Fights Back show will begin at 10.30am at Shaw Foundation Amphitheatre, you can take the left path to it. After watching it, go straightly to the Splah Amphitheatre, it’s next to where you are just now. The show will begin at 11am. Then, go the Elephants of Asia, it next to SFA also and the Elephants At Work And Play show begins at 11.30am. I guess you’ll be very hungry and tired after watching these shows, then go and have lunch. I advise you go to the KFC immediately, the reasons are very simple: it’s the nearest, it’s cheap, it has air-condition, and the most important is, it’s near the last show—Animal Friends Show! But be clear that you’re familiar with the zoo map, otherwise you’ll get lost and miss the last show, just like us. What a pity!

Anyway, the zoo journey is quite fun. And what I wanna tell you last is don’t forget to visit the zoo shop at the entrance. It has a noctilucent shop, everything in it (especially white stuff) looks quit strange, amazing strange! Wearing white would be a great idea, believe me. At last, I wish all of you will have a lot of fun in the Singapore Zoo!

A Wuxia Story

2009-03-30T05:43:00.000-07:00

Winds with smell of blood blew fiercely, and the yellow leaves flied over. The streets were all full of dead bodies, most of which were their enemies’. Their assignment tonight was to fight against their enemies. To their excitement, it seems that they were going to win soon.

At this point, she should disappear! As the leader, he felt very confused, because he again heard that somebody speculating that she was a spy. Actually, they all had said that she had a suspicious identity before, but he never believed them. However, tonight, it was very obvious indeed.

“Is she?”

During these years they were with each other, he had known her very well, he thought. He could remember many cases that she ignored her own safety to save his life during the battles. Now all those pictures appeared in his mind. And he felt ashamed to be suspicious about her identity just now. “How come she is a spy?”

War was so tough for a young girl like her. She seemed to forget that she was a young and pretty girl, and she had even turned a blind eye on blood and death. However, he felt that she liked to be with him and she was always reluctant to leave him, and, of course, it was the same with him. He had made up his mind that after winning this battle, he was going to elope with her to a peaceful place, letting his lord and the all the assignments go to hell. Whenever thought about her possible smile when told that he loved her, he smiled sweetly.

Suddenly words came that she was seized by enemies and was put into a sealed prison. “Yes, I know she cannot be a spy. She disappeared just because she was seized.” He turned around without any hesitation, leaving behind the battle and his underlings. He wanted to save her at any cost, any.

He found the prison. With the sword in his hand, he alone spared no effort to fight with the guards. He could not feel the pain of his bloody gashes any more, with the wish to save her. What he did was only to fight and kill. Ultimately, after scanning all the dead bodies of the guards, he walked into the prison, with difficulty.

He chopped her chains with the sword. Then she hugged him with her usual slight smile on her beautiful face. It was the first time they had hugged. “I would like to accompany you until we are old. Let’s leave these uproars and bloodiness far behind, will you?” She said to him slightly, still with her slight smile as usual.

Feeling that he was the happiest person in the world, he threw away his sword. He shut down his eyes happily, with her in his arms. All of a sudden, a dirk was thrust into his heart by her, who had her usual slight smile on her beautiful face. “Finally.” She said.

Movie Response

2009-03-29T21:53:00.000-07:00

I have longed for watching the movie ‘Pride and Prejudice’ for a long time, and fortunately, my dream came true on Thursday. I think this is a very good film, and I would like to say something about how I think of the hero of the movie, Darcy.

“Sometimes the last person on earth you want to be with is the one person you can’t be without.” After finishing this movie, many people may have the same feeling as what this quotation says. That is true, just like Darcy, whom at first Elizabeth disliked, but at last fell in love with.

Darcy is the son of a wealthy, well-established family and has an opulent estate. Also, he looks really proud and indifferent at first, which is condemned by others, including Elizabeth. It is beyond that his high birth and wealth make him overly proud and overly conscious of his social status. Indeed, his haughtiness makes him initially bungle his courtship. When he proposed to Liz, he just focused on how he thought about the inferiority of her birth, comparing with his rank, which vividly showed his pride. Undoubtly, he only received Elizabeth’s rejection, however, this incident started to build a kind of humility in him. He gradually realized that to be a gentleman was not just to have a noble birth, and that he should have a kind and sensible heart, as well as humble and liberal attitudes toward others. Darcy demonstrated his continued devotion to Elizabeth, when he rescued Liz’s sister and the Bennet family from shame, and when he went against the wishes of his proud aunt, Lady Catherine, who looked like a witch on the scenes, by continuing to pursue Elizabeth. Darcy proved himself worthy of Elizabeth, and she ended up repenting her earlier, overly harsh judgment of him.

Obviously, Darcy is not good at expressing himself, which nearly destroyed his love. He is innately shy, and does not like to talk with strangers. Flash back to the ball at the beginning of the movie, when Elizabeth took initiative to invite him to dance, he just replied like this,“Not if I can help it”. Actually, he really wanted to dance with her, but he failed to express his true feelings. When he knew he was misunderstood by Elizabeth on Wickham’s issue, he did not explain too much, which worsened the impression of him by Liz.

Sometimes we may ask,“What if he does all of this correctly?” Maybe the story will not be that interesting and attractive, but it is really practical to our real life. It is far from enough with only continuous passion. When you are trying to do something, you should appropriately express yourself. Only if you do it well, can you avoid some unnecessary misunderstandings.

Visit to National Museum of Singapore

2009-03-29T05:21:00.000-07:00

In the afternoon of March 25th, Xinghan,Wenchao, Yufeng and I were lucky enough to have the opportunity to visit National Museum of Singapore, accompany by Ms. Nora. We went to the museum by bus. By the time we arrived, Ms. Nora had already been waiting there, which was totally to my surprise. She was there with a Malay woman in the same kind of clothes. Ms. Nora did not introduce her to us, but according to our observation and our memory on her introduction of her family, she must be Ms. Nora’s sister. She did not smile at us, which confirmed our conclusion. Then, three students from Group 8 joined us.

In fact, I did wander whether the most ancient stuff in the museum would have a history longer than a broken vessel in my grandpa’s yard, and the museum was so small that it looked like a pub from the outside. It was natural that when it came to culture, we Chinese tended to be proud. However, the galleries did attract me as our visit went further and further, especially with the help of an electric portable guide. I would like to stop at each place and listen to the introduction that was precise and concise but for the time was so limited and Ms. Nora seemed in a hurry to finish the visit. So I decided to come another day and spend a whole day there since the ticket was free for students. Nonetheless, let me tell you something interesting in the museum

hawkers's equipment. hawkers are small mobile traders who sell food. Then. singapore government set Hawker Center to provide a place for hawkers to do business.(Thanks to Ms. Nora's explanation)

There were many secret groups in Singapore in the 1920s and 1930s,including the tiandihui even.

Two years after Sun Wen died, many people gathered in Niucheshui to mourn for him. A big chaos took place when more and more people got excited and angry.

This was the suit of Singapore Yiyongjun who fought against the Indian Policemen's rebellion.

As I mentioned in the former part,I would like to revisit the museum. If any of you feel like going there, I can accompany you.