your father

Preparation of English Speeches (Day 10)

2009-07-06T08:27:00.004-07:00

Day 10
• What do you think the man standing in the centre of the picture is doing?
• A typical old folk’s home!
• These kind of old folk’s home are common widespread among Singapore, including entertainers or visitors like the man standing in the centre of the picture
• He is performing an interactive-game with the old folks. It is a common trick I’m sure many youngsters know.
• Many of the elderly people look puzzled. They could not figure out this trick
• What training do you think he may have had before?
• This young man in the centre of the picture might have gone through training to learn different dialects.
• This is because most of the elderly people cannot speak English here in Singapore. They speak their own dialects. Commonly, Hokkien.
• He might also have learnt many tricks, ways to entertain people. For example, doing tricks, like shown in the picture, or tell jokes or riddles.
• From my own opinion, he also learnt many oldies, many Hokkien karaoke songs even!
• Do you think the elderly people find this activity interesting?
• Everyone is absorbed by him.
• They all look puzzled to his trick. Why can he invert his hands while we can’t?!!?
• Myself, I feel that it is really great to spend time with these elderly people, and they are really very caring, for the younger generations.

 Tell me about a performance that impressed you.
 I had been to a performance at fort canning park. It was about last month, at night, and it is outdoors!
 The stage setting there was amazing. There were swimming pools, fountains, two storey high stage props. I mean it’s cool-you dun get to see things like that everywhere
 The tickets are subsidized by our school, and I went together with the school’s creative arts group as part of them
 I think you would know of one of the actors-Adrian Pang?
 Yes, although we see him on television, acting in dramas. But at a theatre! It’s totally different. I’m impressed by his great control of stage directions, and fluent speaking.
 I would say – out of the whole crew of actors, he was the only Chinese =P
 Would you consider a career in acting? Why or why not?
 I’m not very good at acting. I can’t fit myself into another role, a role of another person, etc. on the other hand, I experience stage fright commonly. Acting is just not my type.
 If you were an actor, what type of roles would you prefer?
 Given that I am an actor, well, maybe I would just be a supporting character. Or maybe an extra. Haha. I’m just not good at acting. However, should it be the only career available for me, of course I would put my heart and soul into it.
 Some people worry too much about things. Do you agree?
 Yes. Definitely.
 One example is that girlfriends are always worried about their boyfriends. Or maybe wives being worried about their husbands or vice versa.
 While their partners are at work, they are worried that they get seduced by other people. Man, this is really taxing a problem.
 It is totally a unnecessary problem
 What sort of things make you worry?
 For myself, I am quite a worrisome person.
 If I do not do well for my exams, I wonder what will my future be like?
 As a typical student, I am very worried about my examinations! Next time will I be able to support my family well?
 Etc.
 What can people do to deal with or forget their worries?
 About their worries. They can do nothing much, I would say.
 This is because worries are all about practical things.
 However, there are indeed methods to help them relax and escape momentarily.
 One is turning on the computer and play MMORPGs like DOTA, Warcraft 3, Maplestory, etc.
 Going into the virtual world would allow one to actively express oneself, and enjoy beautiful graphics that is impossible in real life.
 One can also try blogging, or writing down their worries. Next, classify them under ‘Necessary’ or ‘Unnecessary’.
 He can also try talking to a friend. A trusted friend of course. Sharing with someone, will not only lesson the burden one might feel, but also strengthen their friendship.

Preparation of English Speeches (Day 8)

2009-07-06T08:27:00.003-07:00

Day 8
• What is happening in this photo?
• Games! A popular game probably known by everyone – (lao ying zhua xiao ji)Chinese. Where someone is acting as the eagle, trying to catch the little chicks, who are protected by their so called ‘mother chicken’.
• In the photo, this is probably an open space of a kindergarten, and the adults playing with them are their teachers!
• Looking at them, reminds me of my childhood. It was the sweetest memory of my life where there aren’t any stress and troubles
• Why do you think everyone is enjoying themselves?
• It is a nice game that involves everyone, and nobody is left out.
• On the other hand, it actually requires constant concentration, to prevent you from being “caught” by the eagle!
• It looks like there is a nice weather as well, sunny and there is no rain
• What do you think the children will do at the end of this activity?
• From what I gather, at the end of the activity, everyone would be very tired.
• Some would sit down; some fall flat on the ground
• However, everyone is smiling happily, because they had fun.

 Tell me about a business you would like to run one day.
 I used to want to run an eatery! Because I like to eat =P
 Whenever my mother cooks, I will just go and help her out, learning in the process
 To me, food is a kind of enjoyment.
 I want everyone to come together, and appreciate the food I cook.
 On the other hand, food brings together families.
 It is not always that everyone can be together to have dinner together these days
 Should I be able to cook delicious food, families will come together, spend time together.
 However, that doesn’t seem so plausible now. School is really busy, and given the current economic status, going into the food industry is seriously not recommended. Sad =(
 What do you think are your strongest skills relating to work or employment?
 I think. It would be good for me to be a financial manager.
 I am good at mental calculation, as well as counting interests, profits, etc.
 This is strength for me in a sense that I can always clinch deals at the best prices.
 In what ways might running a business be difficult?
 Managing a business is always not easy.
 There are many areas to look after.
 Not only do you have to manage your company, you have to keep coming up with new ideas on how to attract customers, etc. this alone is already very taxing.
 But, you still have to look after your family. Take time off just for them
 You also have to be on the lookout for employees, the people that work for you, do not skive.
 There might also be customers that believe, “customers are forever correct.”
 They are what we know as, tough customers.
 These tough customers are very difficult to serve and do business with. However, they are still customers and you have to serve them. Even if they make life hard for you
 Running a business, is really difficult
 What are some of the difficulties faced by women wishing to pursue a career and have a family?
 Women who want to pursue a career and have a family, life is not going to be easy for them
 First of all, having a family means that you have to take time off to spend with them
 On the other hand, you might be working 24/7 as you pursue your career
 Having a child is also very taxing, especially when you are pregnant, you get tired easily, and need to have a lot of nutrition and eat a lot
 Their husbands might also be unhappy about them leaving their children at home, or at a daycare, and run off to work on their own.
 How can employers help such women?
 Employers can give them more work leaves; don’t let them work overtime or long hours.
 If needed, employers can allow them to claim salaries in advance, or offer a loan.
 What are the advantages and disadvantages of working from home?
 Working at home can give you freedom in your working hours.
 On the other hand, you can cut down on transportation fees.
 However, it might not be easy
 You may think that life is boring, because being at home is all that you do, and your office is your home.
 It might not be a very good conducive environment at home. Your kids and, if you have a pet, might be noisy and affect your work.

Preparation of English Speeches (Day 6)

2009-07-06T08:27:00.001-07:00

Day 6
• What do you think the girls are watching?
• The girls are of identical uniform. This indicates that they are students from the same school
• From what I gather and I’m sure you will agree with me too, they are very enthusiastic about what they are watching
• I would guess, it is something like a combined sports day for their school. And this is where their school is competing with others.
• Watching their classmates compete, they naturally got up to cheer for them. Haha
• Not only there are only one set of uniform, there are others too.
• Cheering for their friends, giving them moral support, this gives an athlete a best set of mind to go up there, and do their best
• How do you think the girls in the picture are feeling?
• How would I put it – I think that they are the most excited bunch, the cheerleaders.
• They are probably feeling more excited and anxious, to just watch the game rather than play it themselves.
• On the other hand, they might also be afraid that the outcome isn’t what they expected
• They are giving their best in what they can do. Look – the girl is getting all hysterical watching the games
• Why do you think they feel this way?
• They want to win, and the only thing they can do as the audience is to cheer
• Hence they give their best in cheering, supporting their friends

 Tell me about a time when you realized you had been wrong about something
 It sucks to be wrong about something. In some events, others might get hurt too
 Once, I hated the school principal because of his cocky look and way of talking
 Along with some friends, we vandalized his office with insulting language
 The next thing we knew the next day, he came at us.
 We made someone the scapegoat.
 What did you learn from the experience?
 It hit me hard that my friend was whipped instead of me. After all, I was somehow the “mastermind”
 As humans, we have to live according to our conscience.
 Why might some people find it hard to admit their mistakes?
 Well, from my own experience, it is because that people are afraid of punishment, afraid of the consequences of the bad things they had done
 Because it is a huge embarrassment that they had done something wrong, they find it hard to admit their own mistakes.
 On the other hand, some people are very self-centered. They do not think that they are in the wrong. In their mind, the world revolves around them. That’s why, they are forever right, do not admit their own mistakes because they think that they are correct and made no mistake in the first place

 Do you think everyone can learn to be good at sport?
 Yes, sport is for everyone. Everyone can be good at it, as the saying goes,” practice makes perfect.”
 Because of this, every school’s cca teams like basketball, volleyball, are able to clinch large numbers of medals. This is because the students put their heart into it and try to improve themselves. Just as they have many reserves unable to enter the team, the reserves are able to substitude anyone on the match, anytime, and have the same good results.
 Why do you think that some people are better at sport than other people?
 Some people are physically more athlete. This just the way some people are born, they are more “fit” than others. On the other hand, some have better stamina; some play the sport more than others. Some people are just born like that.
 How fair is it to say that men are better at sport than women?
 I would say it is quite fair. Unless the woman compared to the men is a she-male. Haha
 Sports, generally, mean that games are played through using practical organization skills, but they are executed, basically physically.
 For example, in basketball, no matter how good a team’s formation is, their organization cannot work out unless they are physically fit, and are able to pass the ball, run quickly around the court
 Sports, is a game of physical strength. Men are more fit than women. I would say, it is only fair that men is better at sports than women

Preparation of English Speeches (Day 4)

2009-07-06T08:25:00.000-07:00

Day 4
• How are people helping the man in the wheelchair?
• People are full of smiles
• A man offering his hand to help the wheel chaired man up the bus
• While another pushes him from behind
• Not only that, some of these helpful people is in uniform.
• This tells me that they are part of a organization
• From what I gather, they are of a charity group.
• In the background, there are other wheel chaired people in the background. There are also more people offering help, either wearing a name tag, or uniform.
• What do you think the people standing around the man in wheelchair might be thinking?
• They might be thinking of how to better help these disabled people
• They might look frustrated, but I am sure, their hearts are filled with smiles and warmth for the disabled people
• The looks of frustration are only momentarily.
• In the background, a darker guy is in deep thought. Perhaps he might be thinking of where they are going, and give them more happiness, to show them that life is not just full of pain
• In fact, in the background, an elderly in a wheelchair is smiling brightly.
• What do you think might happen next?
• From what I gather, they are probably going to a charity show.
• This can be told by the man in the wheelchair. He is holding something like a ticket I his hands.
• Sincerely myself, I hope that there would be more organizations volunteering to help disabled people, doing charity work.
• These would help Singapore be more filled with smiles. Singaporeans are always criticized for being selfish and thinking only for himself. I hope that these opinions will be changed soon

 Tell me about an area of natural beauty you have been to.
 I love natural places.
 First of all, it isn’t dirty, nor filled with cars
 I haven’t really been to many other countries, so I stayed here in Singapore.
 I’m afraid the only place of natural beauty I been to is the beach
 First of all, even before u get to see it, you can already feel the strong sea breeze brushing past you. It’s really amazing, and blows away all your life stress and troubles too
 How would I put it – the feeling was simply the best.
 The sand is really soft, and it feels good to even lie in it. The heat it radiates to your body is even better than being at spa. On the other hand, it is also free to go there =P
 I hope many others will appreciate the beach too. Since right now, sea pollution is common that will kill our beaches
 Not only I want others to appreciate our beach too, I would hope that many ppl will do their part to conserve our earth, so that our natural beauties will not be destroyed so easily
 Once again, lying down on the soft sand, listening to the waves and being massaged by the sun is one of the best experience one can ever have
 What is your view on protecting natural habitats and looking after wildlife?
 Protecting natural habitats is absolutely important.
 Right now, there are many incidents that will kill our earth
 One example is oil spills, and almost recently, forest fires
 We are destroying nature till it’s about to be depleted. Earth is crying. Right now, we are already experiencing global warming
 I’m sure everyone agrees with me that it’s very hot nowadays. This heat is really scary. I could hardly even get down to reading a book at home. On the other hand, while we are facing great heat, other countries are about to be frozen. In china, it has even reached -5 degree Celsius in places it shouldn’t have been.
 Is it important to develop cities, even if this damages nature?
 Even though nature is being threatened, I am sure that developing cities is still partly as important as protecting nature. As humans, everyone should have the chance of living in a place where the quality of living is excellent, and that is – developing a city for everyone

Preparation of English Speeches (Day 2)

2009-07-06T08:23:00.000-07:00

Day 2

Ø Why do you think these women are here?

Ø These women are probably here on a haircut lesson, and they seemed really happy to be here. It’s always good to pick up a new skill, and hairdressing is some really good business, it doesn’t really depend on the economy or rise and fall like stocks. In short, it’s good and easy business, because having a haircut is a necessity of life. Of course, they need to have good fashion sense.

Ø On the other hand, perhaps some of them were facing financial difficulties. From what I see, some of them are already married, indicated by their wedding ring. Being here to pick up a new skill, and probably they will go in search for a job in the hairdressing field after they learnt the basics.

Ø How happy do you think they are to be there?

Ø They must be on cloud 9, feeling fortunate, and blessed.

Ø From what I gather, they are probably housewives. And housewives usually feel bored at home, facing four walls while their husbands are out to work.

Ø Most of them wear a bright smile, except for one or two.

Ø But from their gaze, they are totally focused and engrossed in their work; this shows that they cherish this experience very much.

Ø What do you think might be the next activity for these women?

Ø Of course, the first thing they would do is look at their product. Devise of ways on how to improve the appearance of their wigs. Only then will one keep on improving himself to serve their customers better.

Ø Tell me about your favorite hairstyle

Ø I love my hair very much. It is the heart of my appearance.

Ø Compared to short hair, I prefer longer hair better. But of course, not as long as a regular girl’s ponytail

Ø Long fringe and a tail at the back. I think that it looks cool

Ø The best of all, it is designed by my mother.

Ø I do not enjoy going to the hairdresser though. The thought of having my hair snipped away hurts, and the actual process itself stabs me with each snip.

Ø Hairstyles are definitely important. I cannot imagine a bald man going to a date with a girl.

Ø On the other hand, it plays as a role of self-image. Having a neat hairstyle gives a good self impression to the other party.

Ø Many gangsters have colourful hair that are long, spiky or either reformed.

Ø This makes them look scary and utterly ridiculous

Ø Hairstyles are important. It gives oneself image and also depicts the way you present yourself.

Ø An emo kid would have a hair long and unkempt

Ø What is your view about CCTV or security cameras in public places?

Ø Installing such devices in public places is really good. It gives ppl a sense of security

Ø It is also a form of help to others who are weaker physically

Ø These devices are absolutely a necessity so as to ensure that public security is kept safe

Ø For example, CCTV and security cameras can capture the incident of crime.

20th Week. Term1 Week10

2009-03-23T08:10:00.001-07:00

Humans are omnivorous eaters. We are all abstemious, however, recently a rising diet is becoming constantly popular. These people specially survive on exotic food, claiming that they are redolent. Regardless of how disparate they are, from pesky cockroaches to annoying rats. Imagine - the idiom 'butterflies in the stomach', being literally real.

19th Week. Term1 Week9

2009-03-23T07:45:00.000-07:00

Mariam was a parsimonious, typical singaporean. Going for sumptuous meals are profligate. Blunt as she was, she would never beat about the bush. Straightforward, and clear cut. She was like a maiden holding an iron sceptor, everyone in the market feared her bargaining tatics and thunderous voice. Unless she was given a price she deemed fit, she would balk to move.

18th Week. Term1 Week18

2009-03-20T06:59:00.000-07:00

it was that spontaneous moment that changed his entire life. how he craved for that freedom once again. to feel the brushing wind against your skin, to stand on the gorge, and listen to the symphony of the ocean. right now he has lost everything. a moment of folly, a sudden surge of anger and temptation made him lose all that he had. he tried to fight for it, fight for what he wanted. but it was always abortive. looking back on his peregrination, he had indeed come a long way. he had deemed it fit. everything would end the next dawn. he was going to meet his maker..

17th Week.Term1 Week 7

2009-03-19T08:34:00.000-07:00

Resourceful Merlin finally solved the enigma!
"he who draws the sword from the stone, he shall be king".
was this true? was it reliable? in any case, be it a hoax or not, there was no room to attest.
Arthur had to do it. he is the prince and, the situation calls for it.
what could have lie beyond the murky isles of Avalon, and its labyrinth dungeons?
Was Excalibur really there? anyhow, it was his only chance to turn the tables back against the dragons...

16th Week. Term1 Week6

2009-03-19T02:32:00.001-07:00

Latikah and Mariam were childhood playmates. Gregarious, they used to enjoy each other's company. All until the coming of teenage life, Latikah got tempted by the world, the flesh and the devil. She began to used scurrilous language, stopped vising their childhood cache, and totally became and antithesis of her original self. However, Mariam still felt amorous towards her friend...

15th Week. Term1 Week5

2009-03-07T06:28:00.000-08:00

Ever since the liquidation of Nana, Mariam led a nomadic life. There was nowhere she could go, Tariq was and orphan, too. All they could do day by day was stay by the Taj Mahal and be a fake tour guide, fabricating stories about the mammoth white building and tell how the construction of the fort being a landmark that helped defeat the Greek. The alleged little girl should have been early caught, but no, instead, she even gained access to the Taj Mahal's Tourism Management Office. She took the keys from a dozing security guard without him knowing. Each day after the workers had left she would, together with Tariq, sneak in the office and try to steal some money.

its a very sad life. thinking of how fortunate i am i singapore, God really blessed me.

14th Week. Term1 Week4

2009-03-04T07:29:00.000-08:00

"hey tariq. what is your goal in life?"
we layed supine on our backs, on the lush green. a breeze howled past.
"...it doesn't matter anymore."
to be honest, i have lots of goals.
i love bread. i used to aspire to be a baker. one who moulds life through his hands.
but not anymore. now,i want to be a person of high authority, one who everyone listens to-to lead the village to stop relegation and bias against other races. to help our country repulse the americans from ruling over us..
they just did what they wanted with us. i saw it-the whole thing. how they did it to latikah, how they did it to Jojo.. how they'd removed their sight with a spoon.
the once energetic Nana who'd shoot a throng of words when i sneaked out to play with mariam, being reduced to that, dangling ragged doll on the tree.
it was totally a pile of nonsense... my entire life changed, into havoc overnight.
is this just life?

13th Week. Term1 Week3

2009-03-02T06:19:00.000-08:00

with a surreptitous movement under the shadows, he pulled himself through the electronic security devices, and pressed the button. the entire subterranean dungeon ringged with a loud alarm and all the cells were released. this was it, his ultimate goal-for getting back at bush for putting him behind the bars. a fray with Selamat would just eventuate in a loss. it was just not viable to pit oneself against him..

12th Week. Term1 Week2

2009-03-02T05:51:00.000-08:00

certainly simon would appreciate it if, his fractious mother would stop being so ostentatious and drag his and sue's grades with sue's mother over a simple case of discount. he had achieved the scholarship, but it didnt mean anything. it was fortuitous that he had managed to do well for the end of year examinations. there was no need to put up placards everywhere just because of this. he wished that he could expunge his mother's teeth and leave a black hole there.

11th Week. Term1 Week1

2009-02-12T06:15:00.000-08:00

it was chinese new year. but teachers wouldnt just let this beautiful opportunity elapse, instead, they seized it and inundated students with homework. us as students, were really in a spot. it was difficult to remain sanguine to be able to finish up all the homework. however, some excellent ones will still coerce themselves to finish up the homework, only soon to realise it was a fruitless attempt. if only homework can be just obviated...