I've decided to take part in the FacetsOfSg photography essay competition. It is a competition where I had to submit three photographs of Singapore's heritage, write captions in both English and my mother tongue ( Chinese ) and write an excerpt of less than 100 words to explain the story that my pictures want to tell.
I chose the theme on Architecture and wrote about the infrastructural development of Singapore due to our economic progress.
So please vote and support me in this competition ^_^ I would really appreciate it.
Link to my work: http://www.facetsof.sg/photo-submission/5df4320e572e0c465145933065d64afc/
If you're interested in taking part in this competition and wanna show off your great photography skills, visit www.facetsof.sg , create your facetsofsg account and get started! :) Hurry, voting ends at 25 July 2014
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Saturday, June 14, 2014
" Y U STUDY??? "
" Sec 1 is the year when you can play and fool around, Y U STUDY?? "
This is a question that I've been asked countless times.
For those of you who know me well enough ( Well now you know haha ^^ ), you would have known that I studied very hard and took my studies very seriously when I was in sec 1. To many, that might seem stupid.
I mean, it's only sec 1! There's no need to take your studies so seriously, right?
So why did I study so hard then?
Well, honestly, I don't know. I can't provide you with a definite answer.
I guess it's just a habit of mine that I've developed since young. I just feel that it didn't make sense for me NOT to study when there's a test or exam coming up, or NOT to do my homework when there is one to be done. I have a habit of 'getting things done'.
Am I a nerd? I guess I am... ^^
This is a question that I've been asked countless times.
For those of you who know me well enough ( Well now you know haha ^^ ), you would have known that I studied very hard and took my studies very seriously when I was in sec 1. To many, that might seem stupid.
I mean, it's only sec 1! There's no need to take your studies so seriously, right?
So why did I study so hard then?
Well, honestly, I don't know. I can't provide you with a definite answer.
I guess it's just a habit of mine that I've developed since young. I just feel that it didn't make sense for me NOT to study when there's a test or exam coming up, or NOT to do my homework when there is one to be done. I have a habit of 'getting things done'.
Am I a nerd? I guess I am... ^^
Saturday, June 7, 2014
SLOW DOWN, WILL YA?
" Time waits for no man. " is a common phrase that I hear as a student who is constantly expected to get my work done or prepare for exams as quickly as possible because there is " not much time ".
I just came to a sudden realisation not too long ago that nowadays, people, including myself, seem to be overly-obsessive with speed, getting things done fast and are always in a rush to get from one place to another.
Why is this so? Well, it is due to the fact that in this modern and technologically-driven society, things are happening so fast that people feel the need to keep up with the pace to not get left behind. Mass-production is occurring at almost every industry and hundreds and thousands instant messages are being sent every second in lightning speed.
Though I do agree in saving time and using your time wisely, but trying to do things too fast isn't really wise either.
First of all, rushing to get your work done is never a good idea. This is because as you are working at whatever you're doing, you are so concerned with finishing it that the quality of your work suffers. Due to the trend of mass-production, people tend to care more about how much and how fast rather than how good.
Secondly, when you're in a rush, you focus too much on reaching your destination that you tend to overlook what is going on around you, the buildings you saw, the people you met, etc. Because of this, many people are becoming more obsessed with the " end-point " but not the process or the journey.
" Go to school. Get a degree. Get a job. Get married. "
We are frequently reminded of the aims that we SHOULD BE AIMING for in life that we sometimes ignore other aspects of our lives. Our physical, mental and spiritual development, the friendships that we foster, relationship with our loved ones, the conquest towards becoming a better person.
Though I enjoy listening to songs that are fast-paced and getting that adrenaline rush from them, but I also like to listen to slow songs as well.
It is often said that music has the ability to change someone's thinking, perception and even his/her behavior. I think it is absolutely right.
I noticed that when I'm listening to slow songs, my mind would be drifted away from the present situation for a while and I would start to ponder and reflect on life. Where am I heading to in life? Who are the people that are important to me? Or even something as simple as, what am I gonna have for dinner later on?
As my mind starts pondering, it is gradually and naturally inspired and that's how the inspirations for my blog posts come about. It is really by " slowing down " and stop trying to keep up with our high-paced society for a brief moment, to take a look at all the other wonders in this vast and beautiful world.
So, to anyone who is rushing to finish reading this post, SLOW DOWN, WILL YA?
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Memorisation ( A pain in the neck? )
Memorisation. It is something that all students have to do, be it to memorise certain mathematical formulas or some scientific facts. Most would agree that having to remember a set of knowledge and retain it for an extended period of time is not an easy task at all. I mean, we all have a limited memory space, right?
' Cramming ', as many would call it, is what most people would do to try to memorise for a test or exam.
What is cramming you may ask? Well, Cramming is defined by the dictionary as squeezing or forcing things into an insufficient space. Basically, in this case, trying to take in as much information as possible into your head within the shortest period of time.
Personally, I'm not a very big fan of cramming. I used to Cram when I was in Sec 1 but in upper secondary I found that cramming is not a good way to retain long-term materials, especially when I'm currently studying a 2-year course for my 'O' levels.
What I've found to be a more effective technique is something called, ' Internalisation ', which means that instead of just filling my brain with tons of facts and 'downloading' them onto the exam paper, I actually internalise those facts and make it become a PART OF ME.
So, what do I mean by making them a 'part of me'? What do I do to achieve this?
Well, let me give you an example.
Let's say, on a particular school day, I learn about the fertilisation process in flowering plants. When I'm at home that day, I would revisit what I've just learnt in class and read up the notes one more time ( Of course, although I'm not actually 'Cramming', I would make an effort to remember certain key points ). Before a test on that topic I would revise on it again. When I'm preparing for my major exam I would study it again (Obviously!)....
note: try to study from the SAME set of notes as your brain would register them quicker every time
Very soon, that specific wealth of information would have already been ingrained in me that whenever I encounter questions related it, my mind would just instantly recall them. It's like having them stored somewhere in your brain and making them available for your usage at any time.
You often hear people say that in order to be good in maths, you just got to keep on practicing on it. And, from personal experience, I can tell you that it's true.
Why is practice so important in scoring for Mathematics?
The answer is simple - It is a form of INTERNALISATION.
After doing lots of different types of questions, you will soon become so familiar with them that somehow, you could do them with ease and without much thought each and every time.
This is a way which has worked for me, so, give it a try. It may work for you too! :)
' Cramming ', as many would call it, is what most people would do to try to memorise for a test or exam.
What is cramming you may ask? Well, Cramming is defined by the dictionary as squeezing or forcing things into an insufficient space. Basically, in this case, trying to take in as much information as possible into your head within the shortest period of time.
Personally, I'm not a very big fan of cramming. I used to Cram when I was in Sec 1 but in upper secondary I found that cramming is not a good way to retain long-term materials, especially when I'm currently studying a 2-year course for my 'O' levels.
What I've found to be a more effective technique is something called, ' Internalisation ', which means that instead of just filling my brain with tons of facts and 'downloading' them onto the exam paper, I actually internalise those facts and make it become a PART OF ME.
So, what do I mean by making them a 'part of me'? What do I do to achieve this?
Well, let me give you an example.
Let's say, on a particular school day, I learn about the fertilisation process in flowering plants. When I'm at home that day, I would revisit what I've just learnt in class and read up the notes one more time ( Of course, although I'm not actually 'Cramming', I would make an effort to remember certain key points ). Before a test on that topic I would revise on it again. When I'm preparing for my major exam I would study it again (Obviously!)....
note: try to study from the SAME set of notes as your brain would register them quicker every time
Very soon, that specific wealth of information would have already been ingrained in me that whenever I encounter questions related it, my mind would just instantly recall them. It's like having them stored somewhere in your brain and making them available for your usage at any time.
You often hear people say that in order to be good in maths, you just got to keep on practicing on it. And, from personal experience, I can tell you that it's true.
Why is practice so important in scoring for Mathematics?
The answer is simple - It is a form of INTERNALISATION.
After doing lots of different types of questions, you will soon become so familiar with them that somehow, you could do them with ease and without much thought each and every time.
This is a way which has worked for me, so, give it a try. It may work for you too! :)
Thursday, March 20, 2014
OFF YOUR SCREEN!
Have you ever been in a scenario where you are out with your friends, be it to watch a movie, meet them for lunch, or just to hang around town and all they focus on is their smartphones?
Well, like anybody else living in this technologically-driven and digitally-connected world, I have.
I don't get it, are the people they are meeting up with that boring to talk to? Are their smartphones better companions than their friends? If that's the case, then why meet up in the first place?
It's fine if they received a call or text message and they need to check their phones to see if it's anything urgent, but if all they do is check their Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, you name it, I don't see how they should be doing any of that. They can do it on their way home LATER, but when hanging out with friends, just enjoy the meet-up. It's not difficult to give your friends your undivided attention, isn't it?
Now, having said this, some of you may be eager to ask me, " So, Hans, do you use the phone when you're with friends? ( I bet you do ) ?
Well, honestly, I BARELY use the phone when out with friends. Like I've mentioned, unless I have an urgent call to answer, I don't see the need to use my phone when I have friends to spend time with. I do use the phone to tweet, check my Facebook and all but I can do those things at home or on the bus later on so why would I prioritise a gadget over people? I ask my friends out for a reason and that's to spend time with them.
So if I don't reply to your SMSes or don't answer some of your calls, chances are I'm with my friends.
Most of you may be extremely familiar with this quote by Albert Einstein and I think what he said is absolutely right. We often see group of friends outside where all of them would be glued and engaged in their handphones but not talking to each other.
If that's the case then just stay home and Whatsapp each other in a group, there's no need to meet up. LOL?
There was this one time when I was travelling on the train with a friend and as I was talking to him, his eyes was glued to his phone. It's alright as he doesn't completely ignore me but I find it extremely annoying. It's like, I'm talking to you dude! Look at me.
A social campaign called, " Put It On Friend Mode " (www.putitonfriendmode.com) was recently launched which I think is really good. It was initiated by four students from the Nanyang Technological University Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and information. Its purpose is to remind us to put our phones down and give our friends our utmost attention.
Here are some of their videos
In a nutshell, when you're out with people, try to enjoy their company instead of being engaged in your phone all the time. In my opinion, what bonds people together are those deep conversations and memorable time spent with one another. So nurture your friendships now by getting OFF YOUR SCREEN!
Well, like anybody else living in this technologically-driven and digitally-connected world, I have.
I don't get it, are the people they are meeting up with that boring to talk to? Are their smartphones better companions than their friends? If that's the case, then why meet up in the first place?
It's fine if they received a call or text message and they need to check their phones to see if it's anything urgent, but if all they do is check their Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, you name it, I don't see how they should be doing any of that. They can do it on their way home LATER, but when hanging out with friends, just enjoy the meet-up. It's not difficult to give your friends your undivided attention, isn't it?
Now, having said this, some of you may be eager to ask me, " So, Hans, do you use the phone when you're with friends? ( I bet you do ) ?
Well, honestly, I BARELY use the phone when out with friends. Like I've mentioned, unless I have an urgent call to answer, I don't see the need to use my phone when I have friends to spend time with. I do use the phone to tweet, check my Facebook and all but I can do those things at home or on the bus later on so why would I prioritise a gadget over people? I ask my friends out for a reason and that's to spend time with them.
So if I don't reply to your SMSes or don't answer some of your calls, chances are I'm with my friends.
Most of you may be extremely familiar with this quote by Albert Einstein and I think what he said is absolutely right. We often see group of friends outside where all of them would be glued and engaged in their handphones but not talking to each other.
If that's the case then just stay home and Whatsapp each other in a group, there's no need to meet up. LOL?
There was this one time when I was travelling on the train with a friend and as I was talking to him, his eyes was glued to his phone. It's alright as he doesn't completely ignore me but I find it extremely annoying. It's like, I'm talking to you dude! Look at me.
A social campaign called, " Put It On Friend Mode " (www.putitonfriendmode.com) was recently launched which I think is really good. It was initiated by four students from the Nanyang Technological University Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and information. Its purpose is to remind us to put our phones down and give our friends our utmost attention.
Here are some of their videos
In a nutshell, when you're out with people, try to enjoy their company instead of being engaged in your phone all the time. In my opinion, what bonds people together are those deep conversations and memorable time spent with one another. So nurture your friendships now by getting OFF YOUR SCREEN!
Sunday, March 16, 2014
A Personal Frustration
Having lived on this planet for the past 16 years or so, I guess one of the biggest personal frustrations that I face on a daily basis is to perfectly say the " right things " that would appease everyone.
I know that you can't please society, but sometimes I am just confused as to why some are offended by the things I say. I mean, most of the time, I don't mean any offence and definitely do not have any intention to hurt anyone.
My intentions would be to compliment someone, crack a joke, or just wanting to give my honest opinion on something. But sometimes, there would be a small minority who get all offended and be like, " How can you say that? That's so insensitive of you. "
I admit, there are times when my words can be really insensitive since I'm a blunt and brutally honest person and in those cases I would certainly apologise to not make any enemies. But in other times I just couldn't figure out what the person was offended about. Even if I did find out, it would be because of some silly and trivial matter ( WHUT -.-)
Why are some people so emotional and too easily offended?
Anyway, here's a video titled " No Offence! " by TreePotatoes. Watch how Tim struggles to help Herman look more presentable for work. A brief story of my life.
I know that you can't please society, but sometimes I am just confused as to why some are offended by the things I say. I mean, most of the time, I don't mean any offence and definitely do not have any intention to hurt anyone.
My intentions would be to compliment someone, crack a joke, or just wanting to give my honest opinion on something. But sometimes, there would be a small minority who get all offended and be like, " How can you say that? That's so insensitive of you. "
I admit, there are times when my words can be really insensitive since I'm a blunt and brutally honest person and in those cases I would certainly apologise to not make any enemies. But in other times I just couldn't figure out what the person was offended about. Even if I did find out, it would be because of some silly and trivial matter ( WHUT -.-)
Why are some people so emotional and too easily offended?
Anyway, here's a video titled " No Offence! " by TreePotatoes. Watch how Tim struggles to help Herman look more presentable for work. A brief story of my life.
Rebellious Years
Almost every normal teenager would go through rebellious years. It's part of growing up and natural
It's just a period of time whereby we are already a young adult and we feel the need to break off from the confinements and conformations of society. We feel the need to be free, to be the true ruler of our own lives and not having to follow rules.
I started going through my rebellious years in Primary 6 when I started to have my own saying in life and rebelled a little against my parents and the school. I remember in Primary 6, somehow I was being very disruptive in class, making a fool of myself. I would say stupid shit in the middle of class which I assumed was amusing.
My form teacher was really angered and annoyed by my actions in class. I was lectured and scolded on a regular basis but I would just say, " okay... okaay... " while showing a stupid grin of mine.
As time goes by, I started to be more matured and I no longer behave like that. If I had a time machine I would definitely go back in time and slap myself in the face, SERIOUSLY -.-
I think the reason behind the development of rebellious years is because as a kid, we obediently followed our parents' and the school rules, without questioning why things were as such, because we feel that we could entrust our lives in their hands.
But as we grow older and find out more about ourselves and society, we feel the need to control our lives ourselves, and thus the problem of " rebellious teenagers " arises.
I remember when I was a child my parents would dress me up and I would wear any clothes they bought me. But as I got older I came to a sad realisation that they dressed me LIKE CRAP.
So right now I would pick my own clothing... Not gonna trust them on fashion anymore..
Most rebellions may just be simple acts of disobedience, but if a person rebels to the extent that he does criminal activities, such as taking drugs, drinking underage, then the rebellion needs to be controlled. Is it okay? OF COURSE IT'S NOT OKAY.
Many people believe that these kids have to be punished severely in order for them to mature and get them to realise that what they're doing is wrong and could endanger themselves.
But I think that punishment may be able to control them temporarily, but it doesn't entirely solve the problem.
Most of these kids are troubled, either to find a belonging in society, or going through family issues. Hence they end up turning to joining gangs, smoking, etc.
I know because I used to be troubled as well. I was struggling to fit in from Primary 6 to Secondary 1. I had lots of insecurities and honestly I did fight. But I managed to finally fit into groups of friends which I can relate to so I guess that saved me ^^
In order to solve this problem, I believe that we need to find ways to help them with their struggles. I heard an analogy from a teacher of mine which says if you have a hole in your bag, you need to fix the hole before trying to store anything inside it. You need to solve the problem from its root.
I really like watching this series on Youtube called " World's strictest parents ". It's a show where troubled and rebellious teens would leave their homes and live with strict parents in another country.
It's just a period of time whereby we are already a young adult and we feel the need to break off from the confinements and conformations of society. We feel the need to be free, to be the true ruler of our own lives and not having to follow rules.
I started going through my rebellious years in Primary 6 when I started to have my own saying in life and rebelled a little against my parents and the school. I remember in Primary 6, somehow I was being very disruptive in class, making a fool of myself. I would say stupid shit in the middle of class which I assumed was amusing.
My form teacher was really angered and annoyed by my actions in class. I was lectured and scolded on a regular basis but I would just say, " okay... okaay... " while showing a stupid grin of mine.
As time goes by, I started to be more matured and I no longer behave like that. If I had a time machine I would definitely go back in time and slap myself in the face, SERIOUSLY -.-
I think the reason behind the development of rebellious years is because as a kid, we obediently followed our parents' and the school rules, without questioning why things were as such, because we feel that we could entrust our lives in their hands.
But as we grow older and find out more about ourselves and society, we feel the need to control our lives ourselves, and thus the problem of " rebellious teenagers " arises.
I remember when I was a child my parents would dress me up and I would wear any clothes they bought me. But as I got older I came to a sad realisation that they dressed me LIKE CRAP.
So right now I would pick my own clothing... Not gonna trust them on fashion anymore..
Most rebellions may just be simple acts of disobedience, but if a person rebels to the extent that he does criminal activities, such as taking drugs, drinking underage, then the rebellion needs to be controlled. Is it okay? OF COURSE IT'S NOT OKAY.
Many people believe that these kids have to be punished severely in order for them to mature and get them to realise that what they're doing is wrong and could endanger themselves.
But I think that punishment may be able to control them temporarily, but it doesn't entirely solve the problem.
Most of these kids are troubled, either to find a belonging in society, or going through family issues. Hence they end up turning to joining gangs, smoking, etc.
I know because I used to be troubled as well. I was struggling to fit in from Primary 6 to Secondary 1. I had lots of insecurities and honestly I did fight. But I managed to finally fit into groups of friends which I can relate to so I guess that saved me ^^
In order to solve this problem, I believe that we need to find ways to help them with their struggles. I heard an analogy from a teacher of mine which says if you have a hole in your bag, you need to fix the hole before trying to store anything inside it. You need to solve the problem from its root.
Most of you should be familiar with this short film. It was swirling all over the local Television about a year ago ( If I'm not wrong ) and it shows that what changed Glenn was not the punishments he received, but the encouragement and dedication of Mr Kumar to help him get through his teenage struggles.
Mr Kumar knew he would be a great man, and he was right :)
I really like watching this series on Youtube called " World's strictest parents ". It's a show where troubled and rebellious teens would leave their homes and live with strict parents in another country.
Here's one of the episodes that I really like
They say that teenage years are the best years of your life, and it is. But I think there are also obstacles that you have to go through as a teenager and it's a phase that would be very impactful to your life. I know sometimes parents just don't understand us, but they are still your parents who want the best for you, don't forget that fact.
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