Monday, December 12, 2011 @9:53 PM
Did it take 5 semesters of law school to get me motivated to work really hard? Maybe 4. I started year 1 sem 1 with an immense amount of motivation. But after that, as it seems like no matter how much work, results still won't show anyway, I probably figured I might as well have the good slack life.
Now, I think I know how though. All it takes is a bit more thought and reflection and some clarity of expression.
Perhaps, I'll be able to make something of the last 3 sems and surprise myself.
Super not looking forward to equity and conflicts results on Friday.
Only consolation is my LTP RP A :D My first A for a law paper! Feel extremely gratified!
(TWC's A+s don't count)
Had a conversation some days ago about the importance of good teachers. Unfortunately, the conclusion is that good teachers either make or break a student's future in a particular subject.
I remember absolutely hating piano until I changed teachers.
And I cannot imagine learning LTP HG, WWY or SB. I would have absolutely been bored to death! Em or CM maybe. But I think I'm very lucky to have learnt it under TSH, couldn't have asked for better :D
A couple of years ago, I started tuition with the aim of being an inspirational teacher. But as the kids proved unmotivated and unmotivatable, teaching became routine. Must rethink my methods and put in more effort when I come back from exchange.
Friday, December 09, 2011 @1:16 PM
2 weeks ago I wrote that my legal theory answer was very unsatisfactory.
It's a good reminder. Shouldn't be surprised or disappointed.
Tuesday, December 06, 2011 @12:12 AM
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/the-dark-side-of-dubai-1664368.html
This is a western perspective.
The only way this can be credible and not be just 'someone's view' is if there is an objective truth to what life ought to be like.
With regards to equality, who is to be treated equally? I'm sure all emiratis are treated 'equally'. Should the equality extend to the 'foreigners' who flood their land?
On the religious basis, is the draconian system even supported by it?
A violation of natural law + divine law?
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 @11:41 AM
href="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1168117/1/.html
1) Targetted at pre-schoolers because they can absorb the most
-they will learn, but with diminished use in the subsequent schooling years, they will lose it all
--> try to instill passion in the language, so they will hold onto it even as they are not required to use it so much
-also, if it becomes too difficult, parents will complain
--> screw the parents, but you won't so, teach the parents together (like how you do for models in maths? haha)
2) Discipline of SAP schools
-there's almost absolutely no difference today, kids are just as carefree
-->Post pre-school
3) Teach certain subjects in mother tongue perhaps (e.g. health ed, moral ed etc.)
Otherwise, it'd just be a waste of $100m when the kids forget everything.
Monday, November 28, 2011 @1:37 AM
This post has recently been shared by some friends on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2611370894344&set=a.1250784560536.2038240.1557165764&type=3&theater
It is a little bit of a Washington Post article done some years ago:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401721.html
A world renowned classical musician playing at a metro station during peak hour. People wonder why such beauty is not recognised and appreciated.
Many blame it on 'the modern world'.
While there may be some merit in that people actually have places to go and things to do, they could surely have afforded a minute or a half.
I think there is a much simpler answer- people just don't know how to appreciate classical music.
The children all strained to see where the music was coming from. The adults who stopped 'knew' classical music or played the violin themselves. The children will grow up conditioned to popular culture, like all the rest of the adults who walked by without even a glance. The initial beauty the children recognised will be later treated as something incomprehensible and unfashionable. If you ask them to watch an opera, they'd probably rather die (apologies for the hyperbole).
It is not that people cannot appreciate good music. There have been many epic 21st century pieces that are just as musically brilliant and invoke just as passionate emotions as the music of the centuries past.
E.g. The theme song of Pirates of the Carribean / Phantom of the Opera etc.
The genius and beauty of these pieces are undeniable, and they are widely appreciated. Musically (technically), they are not so much different from the 'old' pieces. What I think the difference is, it that they have been immortalised by the films, and have been 'made cool'.
Will my friends who shared the article actually stop to notice the 'beautiful things in life' more? In order for them to do that, they will have to first be educated about what 'beautiful things' are. Or perhaps, even more fundamentally, they have to first be less pre-occupied about appearing 'cool'.
One might then argue that beauty is subjective. Yes, it is very much in the eye of the beholder- that is true for the fringe stuff. But I believe there are certain 'objective beauties' that are as obvious to everyone as the moral value that 'murder is wrong'.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 @5:54 PM
legal theory ah legal theory...
you were supposed to make me question my assumptions and beliefs
i thought i knew what you were talking about
i prepared and i pondered
in the end, it's still a demoralising exam done
when i know it was as unsatisfactory an answer as i could have written
when then grades come
i'll know exactly why
bleh
@2:29 AM
People's reactions to the news of constitutional education being introduced in school is popping up on facebook.
A good number of them have been very cynical, and mostly concerned about the students learning about the constitution on the government's terms.
Don't teach: accused of playing on ignorance
Teach: accused on brainwashing
Many people need to stop being cynical for the sake of it/because they think it's cool.
Friday, October 14, 2011 @1:41 AM
I must be such a lucky lucky girl!
Concerts I've had the honour and absolute pleasure of seeing live in concert:
1) Corrinne May (many times back in JC)
And she was always sooo nice and personal! If only she'll hold another concert in Singapore soon! (God forbid that I won't be in town when she does!)
2) Celine Dion (on my very first long flight to Amsterdam)
Spectacular, breath-taking...I can only smack myself for not getting the most expensive front seat tickets!
3) Julie Andrews (in London May 2010)
Only in my wildest dreams had I ever imagined seeing Julie live. It was really an amazing dream come true, especially since she'd lost her voice but still managed mesmerising numbers.
My Funny Valentine always lingers in my mind. And who will ever forget singing along to Doe Rae Me with Julie Andrews?
4) Kit Chan (yesterday evening!)
FINALLY! (After watching Forbidden City 3 times live, once on tv; December Rains; and being very upset about not getting tickets for her earlier Feb concert this year.) And I was certainly not disappointed, not in the least.
It was beyond perfect. And her rendition of 'Send in the Clowns'...was... one could not help but be drawn in right from her very first raspy note, and be glued gripping the edge of one's seat while she bared her soul with the beautiful perfect voice.
Extremely satisfying...every time it seemed she was about to end, and I'd be thinking 'no, this is not enough', she'd come back with more, until I was right and truly satisfied!
Recordings on CDs just don't cut it anymore! These artists bring a completely different level to their live performances...the energy that comes through with the music sometimes resonating sometimes wafting through...magic!
Reason for watching musicals live too!
Lucky lucky me!
Rowan Atkinson in Oliver in London will always be unforgettable!