Emotions in our world...

If I could eliminate one emotion from our world, which one would I eliminate? I have been pondering over this question for a few days already, and yet I still can’t make up my indecisive mind. However, only today then I knew which emotion to eliminate after we received our results…

I would remove jealousy. This is because jealousy can cause as much unhappiness as anger and also as much pain as torture. However, it would also be able to cause joyousness among those who are causing pain to others. It is both beneficial and a pain in our neck to us.

Let me give you an example: Students X and Y are rivals. Both of them want to outwit each other in terms of both academics and sports. On that fateful Friday, May 29, 2009, they both received their results. Normally, they would both ask each other what the score of his opponent was. They would say it at the same time and either of them would be jealous.

Jealousy can cause many side effects, such as killing himself/ herself, being more hardworking and study harder and much more. However, if you list down all the side effects, you will be able to see that there are more negative side effects than positive ones. By being jealous of someone, you will try to take revenge for whatever he has done to you. Anger will also rise in you and you will not be able to do anything to stop it. It is uncontrollable and you will feel like beating him up. This is an example of a negative side effect of jealousy.

Now, a positive side effect of jealousy is that when we are jealous, it will motivate us, make us strive harder to achieve better results.

These are the two reasons why I want to eliminate jealousy because it is a pain in our neck and also it will make Singapore constantly in a competitive environment.

Mum's Favorites Reads

Although my mum isn’t a vivacious reader, she always carries 2 books with her, either in her car or her handbag. This is to kill time while she is caught in traffic jams or waiting for my dismisal. You must be curious what kind of books she reads/do?

1. When do the good things start by Abrahim J Twerski,Rabbi,M.D.
2. Her all time favourite-Advanced Sudoku.

She told me ‘The snoopy therapy book’ –When do the Good Things start-used the poignant insights of Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang, to outlines a practical program for coping with life’s problems by overcoming low self –esteem, building confidence, and getting rid of guilt. Mum told me this book helps her to overcome the grief over the loss of her beloved father aka my beloved grandfather. She told me that the therapeutic words are simple and easily digested. She learnt that if we wish to have the good things in our life, then we should focus on the things we want and NOT on the things we do not want. Our thoughts throughout the day have been on stressful situations and negative emotions at work and at home. It is little wonder that many of us don’t seem to move ahead and the stressful situations and negative emotions continue to engulf us. It comes down to this-what we focus on expands! When was the last time we had time-out to reflect and contemplate on our future and how we want our future to turn out to be? So mum’s philosophy about life :

Think rich and you will be rich. You will find an abundance of happiness, love and wealth in your life!

Another book she cant leave without is Advanced Sudoku! Mum, without fail, will do her Sudoku before she sleeps. It seems like it is her ‘daily bread’. Be it, successfully attempt or with mistakes, she will close the book after an exercise and move on the next day.

That is my mum!

Les Miserables By Victor Hugo

I watched Les Miserables when I was in Lower Primary when I visited my Aunty in NYC. Last month my friend sent me a you tube –Susan Boyle, I Dreamt A Dream-that I started to crave for Les Miserables again. So last weekends, Mum managed to get the DVD from HMV and I have been spending my nights in watching this DVD continuously.

Now I am going to introduce to you, my dearest friends, this Worldclass Musical Play which I am so fond of -Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. And I really hope to watch it LIVE again.

Here are some research that I gathered from internet:

Victor Hugo (1802-1885), novelist, poet, and dramatist, is one of the most important of French Romantic writers. Among his best-known works are The Hunchback of Notre Dame(1831) and Les Misérables(1862).

Les Miserables focuses on the struggles of ex-convict Jean Valjean and his experience of redemption. It examines the nature of law and grace, and expounds upon the history of France, architecture of Paris, politics, moral philosophy, antimonarchism, justice, religion, and the types and nature of romantic and familial love. The story is historical fiction because it contains factual, historic events, including the Paris Uprising of 1832 (often mistaken for the much earlier French Revolution).

Jean Valjean, released on parole after 19 years on the chain gang, finds that the yellow ticket-of-leave he must, by law, display condemns him to be an outcast. Only the saintly Bishop of Digne treats him kindly and Valjean, embittered by years of hardship, repays him by stealing some silver. Valjean is caught and brought back by police, and is astonished when the Bishop lies to the police to save him, also giving him two precious candlesticks. Valjean decides to start his life anew.

The most important theme the novel examines is that of transformation, in the individual and in society. Jean Valjean, the chief protagonist, is transformed from a misanthropic and potentially violent ex-convict to a man capable of heroic love and self-sacrifice. The force that transforms him is love. The Bishop of Digne offers Valjean unconditional love, trusting the former criminal with his life and giving him all that he can. Valjean finds inspiration for an entirely new life from this example. He learns to put another person first when he raises...

I may not be a good performer but I am trying to be a cultured appreciator!

My 1st semester's reflection

As you had known from earlier posts, I am a secondary one student in “School X”(a school that I am forbidden to say). Yay!

Being a secondary one student, you would think that we would be able to have freedom, able to go out with our friends, but that is not the case. Being in a prominent school, with so many clever pupils and friends beside me, I can only remain coop up at home to face the wrath of the homework and the textbooks.It seems exaggerating but the truth fact is homework is forever endless,all piling all!

I am not able to go out with my friends or even stay back in school to play soccer with them.I have to cut down my golf talent squad training to only once a week in the greens. I can only be able to spend my teenage hood during my recess or during my co-curricular activities---squash. I am ladened by homework, piling up day by day.Fortunately,I have an understanding and supportive parents who always pamper me,allowing me to go back to my 'dungeon' to be my own prince in every term ends.This helps me to rejuvenate my stamina and allows me to travel far after recharging,

I am exhausted.

I am tired.

I am suffocating under the pressure of the books.

Above are the minus points of being in such a prominent school.

What are the good and interesting points of being in a reputable school, you may ask.

Well, being in such a competitive environment, it will spur us to work hard and obtain better grades so that we would be able to catch up with our friends in terms of knowledge and studies. Being in a competitive environment and having a competitive nature, I will usually be hardworking and this will enable me to obtain better grades when I had done badly for a certain subject. In fact, being in secondary school is very fun and it is full of adventures for us to discover. We will be able to make lifelong companions and find friends who are of the same hobby and character as us. We will also be able to learn exciting topics that are not being taught before when we were in primary school.

I too have some plans for the next semester.

They are:

1)I would want to work harder so that I would be able to lower my Mean Subject Grade.

2)I would want to pursue my passion in squash and golf if time is at my side.

3) To cut down my intake and bring down my body weight for next challenge.

Thank You.

What are friends??

What are friends exactly?

Many may say that friends are people who are "next to you", who care for you, who does special things that will help you forever and also people whom you will remember for your entire life.

To me , friends help one another and they do special and important things together as a group.They are always there to share your happiness as well as your sorrow.

I remember that once I was in my school uniform playing soccer at the school field with my classmates and I was drenched with sweat from head to toe. When the discipline master caught me being so smelly and sweaty, he reprimanded me for playing soccer in my school uniform as my sweat will void my classmates of a conducive environment to study. In fact, before that, my good friend had already warned me with the consequences but of course, I did not heed his advice and went off to the field to play soccer with my friends.

After this incident, I realised the importance of a good friend and to heed and take into consideration other peoples' advice or else I would regret it. I also learnt the importance of having friends so that they would be able to give us advice.

My dad met his best friend,Uncle David,in his High School.So I believe I will meet more good friends in my High School too they will stay with me for my entire life.Am i being too optimistic?

Once, I stayed back in school with my friend. And I was busily doing my homework while my friend went to the canteen to eat.Minutes later, I looked up and saw my friend, saying, ”Here, have a snack before you continue doing your work.” He smiled. I smiled and said thanks. This is the good point of having a good friend who helps you whenever you are in need of help.

I have already made some good friends and I hope that we will be friends for a lifetime without our friendship dying out.

Thank You.

What is the right way to live??

Every morning when I wake up, I will tell myself that on TODAY I will live its fullness! I will make sure that I value add to myself at the end of the day, be it in study or in games. But most of the time, I am a slacker and I do not study hard. This is only based on one motto to live on –DON’T WORRY,BE HAPPY.



Basically I will always ponder what is the right way to live??

Below are a few points maybe one would like to consider on how to live life to its fullness -----

1 Never look at the future with the eyes of fear; Be a hero; Always say "I have no fear". As said in the past, face your fears.

2 Be a man of your words... That would be the greatest challenge you could ever take... So, take up the challenge that you face!

3 Life is short and sweet... Do something that will be remembered for many years to come (even in your absence when you are deceased)... Let your life be a legend for the future.

4 Helping others is meritorious, and harming others is sinful. Help ever, hurt never... Live, and let live.

5 Love your parents, and make them feel proud of you. After all, they are the main reason why you are here.

6 Learn some new stuff everyday... In the very least, learn a new word or read a new quote. Value-add to ourselves, be it in study or in games.

7 Make your share of contribution to the society... Let it be in the form of donations, or service.

8 Exercise everyday... do not yield to lethargy…Never ever slack at home and be a couch potato.

9 Treasure your memories. Have a log of important events of your life (in the form of a
personal diary, or a blog site). The greatest contentment is to see yourself grow in knowledge, and become what you want to become.

10 Pick your favorites, and have a choice-list of your own. Do not just go by the defaults, or the cheapest... Most of us have our preferences with food and clothing, but take the defaults for others.

So we control Technology or is it vice versa??

So do we control TECHNOLOGY or does TECHNOLOGY control us?

We live in the age of technology. Machines are omnipresent. Looking back at history and the way people used to live, there is no denying that technology has vastly improved our quality of life. Work is done much easier and effortlessly, thus saving our time and cost, so that we will have extra time to pursue our hobbies and interests.

If you ask anybody on the street , all those will say that technology has indeed improved their lives drastically. There is no doubt about that. Advancements in technology has brought us convenience and improved our lives, but the up-to-date technology has many shortcomings too. It controls our daily lives causing some to be addicted to it. An example is the computers and our mobile phones. They have enabled communication between people and businesses to become more efficient. With this blessing comes a curse: We use abbreviations in language or templates available in handphones and a total disregard for grammar when we send out SMSes. That’s why we students face problems in our usage of English when we are asked to spell or write formal letters.

Many parents complain that their children do nothing all day but play computer games. There are complains that I have heard about adult computer addicts; scenarios whereby husbands are so hooked up to cyber games that they fail to communicate with their spouses, thus resulting for their break through in marriages. This shows that technology has already conquered our lives and has brought side effects on us!

Another live example is our contact list in our hand phones. There was once that my hand phone’s battery went flat but I needed to contact my cousin who was supposed to meet me somewhere in town. I was so at that moment that I realized that I shouldn’t have relied on my hand phone's memory so much. I should have memorized all telephone numbers in my human brain which is going to stay with me forever and ‘the battery’ of my brain wont go flat! So I say Technology controls our lives, every hour, every minute and every second

There is no question that Technology has made our lives better than our ancestors. Lately there are also concerns that future computers will be so intelligent that they may actually be able to take over the world. So, as Technology continues to empower our lives, we must make sure that we do not ABUSE our power and create a monster that we cannot control. Otherwise, we may end up destroying ourselves one day.

Thank You.

Happiness......

What is happiness?

The definition of happiness "is a state of mind or feeling such as contentment, satisfaction, pleasure, or joy."

I agree with this definition partly such that happiness is contentment and satisfaction but my definition of happiness is this."Happiness is characteristic of a good life, that is, a life in which a person fulfills human nature in an excellent way."

You must be thinking, "What is the meaning of this entire chunk of sentence??I don't even understand a single word in this sentence. Can you put it in layman terms??"

To me, happiness is doing the things we love with the people we love to be with. Happiness can only be achieved when you enjoy what you are doing such as cycling with your girlfriend or even doing house work with your family, in the midst, encouraging bonding and tighten your family ties. You can even be in a state of happiness when you do small actions.

To me, happiness is the drive for everything. Happiness is the motive and aim for everything that someone does in life. Happiness is the feeling or drive in your life that makes it interesting for you. When you were born, you had a family. That family gives you education , entertainment and makes everything so exciting and happenening for you where ever you go.

However, we must not aim on only pursuing our dream but also slow down our stressful pace and enjoy the greenery on the way. We must be able to enjoy the procedure instead of only being satisfied when we reach our dream. Then only will we be happy when we reach the end.

Of course, some also seek happiness from materialistic things. These people waste their youth and money on jewellery, branded goods and other expensive items in their pursuit of happiness. However, their happiness do not last. After a while, these expensive items would be put aside and forgotten. Then, the people will find more up-to-date technology or branded goods and squander their money in them. A vicious cycle will repeat itself over and over again until they die or they will understand the true hidden meaning of happiness. They are just desperate attempts to search for happiness. Only true happiness in pursuit of goals last.

Happiness is not a short term wanting but it is a long term desire and aim that only someone with great determination can achieve. “Happiness can only be achieved by doing things you love with those you love to be with” ---Ong Sean, student of Hwa Chong Institution.

Thank You.

Beauty.......

Beauty is a word that makes everybody in this world judged by every one else.
Beauty is a word that makes people want to get closer to you or even shy away from you.

Beauty is a word that makes people jealous of someone. Beauty is a word...

You may have looked at others and say "Wow, you are so beautiful!" or even look at the magnificent blue sky, the clouds moving around slowly, elegantly and you may say" See how beautiful the sky is today!"

The definition of beauty is "the quality or feature that gives pleasure to the mind and senses."

Most people will too see beauty as this definition does. However, I beg to differ.
In my definition, beauty is not about appearance but about the nature, character and the personality of a person, or better known as the inner beauty. Most people look at beauty at its surface meaning. People tend to judge a person or an item by its appearance, or rather, how beautiful it looks. Sadly, many fail to look into the deeper meaning of beauty.


Many say that the Eiffel Tower is one which is majestic and beautiful due to its architecture designing. Many will take pictures of it , bring it home and keep it as a souvenir. Many will too flock to China and climb The Great Wall Of China. They will too take pictures, not because they are beautiful but because to act as a souvenir. Many will not be able to see the real true beauty of The Great Wall Of China. The real beauty can only be seen when someone truly understands how to appreciate it. Many had sacrificed their lives to build this wall and it is right that we, their heir to appreciate their effort and understand the true beauty.

Inner beauty can only be achieved by appreciating what others do for you and not be so self –centered.”Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder”--- what does this truly mean? Parents, teachers and students have been hearing it for almost 10 times by now, however , do we even understand what it means. Now, I realise what the hidden meaning is---Beauty is so difficult to achieve that only those who truly appreciate it can achieve.

”Things are beautiful if you truly love them”--- Jean Anouilh.

In fact, Beauty comprises not only of outer beauty (A.K.A = appearance) but also of inner beauty which most people leave out of their definition of beauty.

“There is nothing that makes its way more directly to the soul than beauty”—Joseph Addison

Thank You.

Grand Canyon-c’est magnifique-is located at Nevada,USA. I have been there twice, at the age of 4 and 11. My family toured this glorious Canyon both on land and by air via forever vibrant Vegas. But if I were given another chance to go there again, I would want to stay overnight,go hiking in order to experience the other side of its grandeur.

What made me recall of this magnificent Grand Canyon-one of the seven wonders- was because I spent my Friday night watching ‘I shouldn’t be alive in frosty Canyon’. It was about two brothers-Jeremy and Justin-went hiking in Canyon during winter. You can imagine how cold it was in this deserted Nevada during year end. Unfortunately Jeremy slipped and fell into the valley of Canyon and his right shin was broken and Justin went through hardship to find ways to save his brother. On the other hand, the injured brother Jeremy not only had to endure the unbearable pain on his leg but also had to fight against the frosty winter to prevent himself from falling into deep sleep and also had to worry about Justin if he would be able to find his way out from the vast mountainous Canyon. At last, Jeremy was saved by the voluntary paramedics although he had his right leg amputated due to fatal toxic emitted from his wounds. They both SURVIVED through thick and thin. And I believe this is what we meant by brotherhood!

Strong fighting spirit and faith are the keys to success in everything we do. I may not be able to experience what ‘Brotherhood’ is as I am the only child at home. But I am sure that I will equip myself with strong fighting spirit and faith in everything I attempt-Never say die,will be my next motto!

Rotary Club luncheon

Yesterday was Mother's Day and I attended Rotary club luncheon for the oldfolks with my mum.

The club invited 380 old folks to come over to Ah Yat Seafood Restaurant' in Turf City for a sumptuous luncheon to celebrate Mother's Day and also for us to shower our care and concern for the old folks who have either been abandoned by their children or are in some kind of medical difficulties.

We arrived there at 10.30am although the luncheon would only start at about 12 p.m. This was to ensure that we had enough time to settle ourselves down and to usher the old folks into the restaurant. The 4 homes that came fot the luncheon were:

1. Bo Tien Welfare Society
2. Bo Tien Home for The Aged
3. Moral Society for The Elderly
4. Home of The Saint Vincent De Paul

At first there was some hipcups as there were designated tables assigned to the different homes. But the first groups of 40s came in without wearing their tags so we were busily finding who the rotarian in charge of the groups.We also had a few other minor difficulties that we encountered such as an old folk's leg went numb, an old folk dropping a glass cup onto the floor causing the shattered pieces of glass to fly everywhere but luckily there were nobody injured.There was also a senile old folk eating a small clutter of soil from the nearby potted plant.

I guess that taking care of an old folk is harder than I expected although it was only ushering them and serving them dishes of food. After the event, my mind was set thinking.

An old folk is also a human being, should their children just place them aside just because of their nature to be troublesome and place their family and career first? What if their children treats them in the same way as how they are treating their parents? How will they feel???

I hope that this will set us thinking and also cause us to realise the importance of showing our care and concern towards our elderly parents and old folks around us.

This is really a memorable experience and meaningful contribution for mother's day2009.And not to forget I also got my beloved mum some gifts.

Thank You.

HCI Relay!!

Hi.I want to share with you an extraordinary event that happened.I participated in a relay of 12 x 200m and............my class won 3rd!!!This is a picture of me and it was a shock for me as I had never participated in a relay before.That is me in the foreground of the picture wearing a shirt of white colour.

The Procedure:

I was positioned as the 6th runner in my class and we were running on the lane 8,the furthest and longest lane.Thus,there was a high possibility that we would lose and get the last position.For our first runner,it was Yishin,so he ran as fast as he could to pass the baton to Jeremy Ee who was the next runner.A miracle happened,the class on the 5th lane,caught up with Yishin and thus we were demoted to the 3rd position.This went on for quite a while until it was my turn.I lost the 3rd position but at the ending,I caught up with that runner and took over as the 3rd position.We then continued our lead and maintained our position until it was our last runner's turn,Perng Jia Yu,or better known as Brendan.He widened the gap between us and the class in the 4th position ,thus securing our 3rd position.

The feelings:

During our relay,Jonah,the class chairman,cheered us on and encouraged us to give our best and that this was only a competition,not a national competition.He was there when we really needed him the most.When I lost my position to 4th,I saw Jonah there,flailing his hands wildly and shouting,"Come On Ong Sean You Can Do It!!!" His expectations for me were high and I knew it and I increased my speed . I narrowed the gap between me and the 3rd place runner.I caught up with him.I passed the baton to Jeremy Lim and I lay on the grass,dead tired.After the entire process,we were cheering Brendan on and some of us were running alongside with him to encourage him that he could do it.

At the end,we won 3rd and we were elated.We came together as one group and hugged one another,congratulating one another's good efforts.Even Jin Lin ,who was so tired after his run walked towards me and said,"Wow,I did not know that you could run so fast!!"

They see me as an "all-rounded" person and thought that a somewhat "fat" person could not run fast.I proved them wrong!!

Thank You.

Comparison between North Korea Prime Minister,Lee Kuan Yew and Napoleon

The first question that you will ask is who is the Prime Minister of North Korea??

And the answer is Kim Yong Il.



What ways are the similar??

Well,they are similar in many ways,such as their attitudes,personality,the way they speak and how they behave and gain the "respect of the commoners".



Their Jobs



He appoints ministers and vice-premiers, who are confirmed by the SPA, and he is also responsible for economic policy like how Napoleon appoints Squealer to be his "propaganda machine...



Their Medical Conditions



Prime Minister Taro Aso told lawmakers in Tokyo that his government had information that Kim likely remains hospitalized."His condition is not so good. However, I don't think he is totally incapable of making decisions," Aso said.The head of South Korea's National Intelligence Service, Kim Sung-ho, told lawmakers in Seoul that the North Korean leader is "not physically perfect" but appears to remain in command.South Korean and U.S. officials say Kim, 66, suffered a stroke, reportedly in August. North Korea has strenuously denied there is anything wrong him.

While Napoleon in the story of Animal Farm drank too much whiskey and thus causing the animals to think that he had fallen sick and was going to die but in actual fact,he was only too drunk that he could not wake up .



Their attitudes



Kim disappeared from public sight in mid-August, missing a September military parade commemorating the 60th anniversary of the country's founding and sparking rumors about his health.Kim, who inherited his country's leadership after his father's death in 1994, has allowed no opposition and has named no known successors, leading to concerns of a power vacuum or military scramble for leadership should he die.Mercurial and reclusive, Kim has been known to stay out of public sight when tensions over North Korea's nuclear program are high.He disappeared around the time the regime stopped disabling a reprocessing plant at Yongbyon in violation of a disarmament-for-aid deal over Washington's refusal to remove it from a list of nations that sponsor terrorism.



In the story of Animal Farm,Napoleon also excuses himself from amny major events such as the Battle of the Cowshed where he is secretly training the Dogs to be his secret ageb]nts and police as he works stealthily behind the scenes where no one notices.

Lee Kuan Yew is something like Snowball,in which he tries to convince the crowd of an action and also,he is eloquent and is able to gain the people's respect.This is done by him doing a lot of activities and actions to help Singapore and the economy.He has so far been a great leader and has done lots of good things to help Singapore.



The way they communicate with the commoners

Both of them are secretive,reclusive and are selfish that they do not give their opinions themselves,but instead send a messenger to help them "translate" the message to the commoners or the animals in the story of Animal Farm.They are both not eloquent but
they do things for their own selfish gains although it looks as if it is for the common good...

Lee Kuan Yew is the exact opposite of him as he does everything(so far) for the good of the Singaporeans,such as the capture of Mas Selamat and also the amount of money he has put into the economy to try and make it rise.he does all these actions so that we,can lead a better life...



The way they gain respect among the commoners

They gain respect and popularity by giving out threats to South Korea to stop activists from sending balloons filled with anti-Kim leaflets across the border. The South Korean government says it cannot prohibit them, citing freedom of speech.The North also criticized remarks earlier this month by South Korea's Gen. Kim Tae-young, who told parliament that the military was prepared to attack suspected nuclear sites if the North tries to use its atomic weapons on the South.



While in Animal Farm,Napoleon gains respect by using force against the animals such as the dogs wagging their tails while seating around him and by the fact that Napoleon asks the dogs to chase away Snowball.The dogs are also taught to bark and threaten the animals wnat they want to stand up and voice out their opinions and speak for themselves.This shows that he is trying to inculcate an atmosphere and a feeling of fear in to the animals' hearts so that they would not have the bravery and courage to stand up for what they think is right..



Thank You.