Almost this whole week, I have been watching 百萬小學堂 on YouTube. Or perhaps, you could say I'm addicted. I must admit that too. I really enjoyed watching every episode which lasts for 2 hours!!! So imagine how much time I have spent on it just to watch every episode. And of course, I have not finished watching EVERY episode.
The most addictive part of this programme could be the entertainment factor. But to me, I think is the kids. I must first state that, I'm definitely not a paedophile! Is just that, watching how they react to the situation are very funny. They are already mature in some way, but they still retained some naive, innocence and purity in them. Really admired them. How time pass so fast, and I have to face such cruel world so fast... I really wish I can go back the past and learn more things, and make my childhood more colourful...
Taiwanese kids are really something. Although their English and Mathematical education are still no way close to our standard, their eduation system still allow them to learn so many things since young. Their CCA selections are really incredible. There are so many to choose from, so the kids can have some foundation on other talent even if their studies are not good. This probably why so many Taiwanese Variety Shows are able to invite many kids to perform.
The kids are also required to learn things that we usually learn during our Secondary School Age. Subjects such as Chinese Literature and History. The programme usually features questions like "Who wrote this chinese poem?", "What does this stanza in this poem means?", "How did this person die in this novel?", "How does this idiom come about?", etc. I have stunned by many questions of similiar kind. I'm really really impressed by them. Moreover, they are also learning First Aid, Geography, the History and Origin of the other parts of Taiwan, and even how their Taiwanese Government System works! Definitely more stressful than Singaporean Primary School Students!!!
Singapore Education System is totally different. Most of the things mentioned earlier are mostly taught in our Secondary School Age. But these subjects are just too boring for me... Or probably we could say that the teacher made it very very boring... (Thinking of Sec 1 History Lesson...Zzz).
Those who are keen to know more little facts about Taiwan or other things are highly encouraged to watch this amazing programme, and be impressed by the kids!!!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
News Spoof: Hang on, I'm still on the Phone
We interrupt the usual Blog Entries with Special News Report.
This article was adapted from the Sunday Times on 7 June 2010.
I have created an alternative title:
Hang on, I'm phone-ing!!!
(Taken from the Famous Commercial: Hang on, I'm Bueno-ing!!!)
Be mindful of rampant use of phone in the company of others, say etiquette experts.
The boyfriend of Ms Tan Ah Lian, a designer, is upset.
When they are out for dinner, Ms Tan, 21, has a habit of using her iPhone to send tweets to her more than 90 Lians, or chat with friends on Facebook.
They bitch... talk about everything - from food she is eating and the place she is at, to random thoughts that come to mind.
"My boyfriend keep asking me to talk to him loh, and wants me to stop talking to my friends. He is so irritated that he even threatened to ignore me leh! SIAO one," she said.
Like Ms Tan, more people just cannot resist using their mobile phones during meals, meetings and classes - in fact, just about anywhere - to text, tweet and use Facebook.
Ms Aifone Luver, a Sociologist who supported Ms Tan, said that this is "not necessarily a bad thing probably because her boyfriend might be as boring as a stick, so she just has to find ways to entertain herself."
But etiquette experts say such behaviour is considered rude and disrespectful if it is done to extremes.
Etiquette coach, Heads Tuuitting, said such activities should be minimised, even in the company of friends, as they may be disruptive or seen as rude.
But Ms Chip Chatty said engaging in phone activities can be fun for some groups. "I've seen young people hanging out in cafes, showing their tweets to each other or playing games together. It's part and parcel of their growing up."
In business setting, the use of the mobile phones for any purposes is a transgression, etiquette gurus advise.
Some companies also ban staff from using social networking sites, as such employers usually see employees bitching... gossiping through those sites, mainly talking bad about them. How bad their fashion sense are, how ugly they look, how unfriendly they are, no wonder they are still single, stuff like that.
Mr Fassbuk Hore, a managing director of a recruitment firm, said Social Networking sites like Twitter and Facebook have become an acceptable way of communication. His firm encourages employees to network with one another and clients through such sites. He even promotes employees to socialise to him during work more as he enjoys gossiping too. Employees will also get special paid bonus to those who give him really savvy gossips about the colleagues in his company.
With mobile phones becoming more advanced and cheaper (To those who can afford it will definitely feel this way) to get it, it is difficult to stop rampant use of the applications, Heads Tuuitting said.
This article was adapted from the Sunday Times on 7 June 2010.
I have created an alternative title:
Hang on, I'm phone-ing!!!
(Taken from the Famous Commercial: Hang on, I'm Bueno-ing!!!)
Be mindful of rampant use of phone in the company of others, say etiquette experts.
The boyfriend of Ms Tan Ah Lian, a designer, is upset.
When they are out for dinner, Ms Tan, 21, has a habit of using her iPhone to send tweets to her more than 90 Lians, or chat with friends on Facebook.
They bitch... talk about everything - from food she is eating and the place she is at, to random thoughts that come to mind.
"My boyfriend keep asking me to talk to him loh, and wants me to stop talking to my friends. He is so irritated that he even threatened to ignore me leh! SIAO one," she said.
Like Ms Tan, more people just cannot resist using their mobile phones during meals, meetings and classes - in fact, just about anywhere - to text, tweet and use Facebook.
Ms Aifone Luver, a Sociologist who supported Ms Tan, said that this is "not necessarily a bad thing probably because her boyfriend might be as boring as a stick, so she just has to find ways to entertain herself."
But etiquette experts say such behaviour is considered rude and disrespectful if it is done to extremes.
Etiquette coach, Heads Tuuitting, said such activities should be minimised, even in the company of friends, as they may be disruptive or seen as rude.
But Ms Chip Chatty said engaging in phone activities can be fun for some groups. "I've seen young people hanging out in cafes, showing their tweets to each other or playing games together. It's part and parcel of their growing up."
In business setting, the use of the mobile phones for any purposes is a transgression, etiquette gurus advise.
Some companies also ban staff from using social networking sites, as such employers usually see employees bitching... gossiping through those sites, mainly talking bad about them. How bad their fashion sense are, how ugly they look, how unfriendly they are, no wonder they are still single, stuff like that.
Mr Fassbuk Hore, a managing director of a recruitment firm, said Social Networking sites like Twitter and Facebook have become an acceptable way of communication. His firm encourages employees to network with one another and clients through such sites. He even promotes employees to socialise to him during work more as he enjoys gossiping too. Employees will also get special paid bonus to those who give him really savvy gossips about the colleagues in his company.
With mobile phones becoming more advanced and cheaper (To those who can afford it will definitely feel this way) to get it, it is difficult to stop rampant use of the applications, Heads Tuuitting said.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Still Not Doing Well...
Another month is going soon, and I have not been making any good progress in this first month of the holidays. Previously, I have set 4 goals for myself to achieve during these 3 months. So far, I have been going out with friends and working on the competition, but the other 2 targets are still on hiatus.
Perhaps some sort of psychological barrier has been there ever since I failed my second TP, and the thought that I will never pass as long as there are those pervertic TPs around has been running through my mind everytime I think of getting back to take driving lessons. As for the self-study, this is just a pure lazy mentality and procrastination.
After receiving the unexpected gift from Edwin, I have been using it to create something similar to what Russell is doing lately. The video of my very own Weekly Top 10 Music Chart which features the ranking of the songs I like every week. Guess making video from Adobe Premiere Pro should consider as the part of the self-study goal...? Wait, I still have Dreamweaver, Photoshop and Flash to explore too. But Premiere Pro is way more interesting than the other three...
I have also been telling myself to go exercise more. But the drive is just getting lesser and lesser. I have been to swimming only twice this month! No jogging. No gym. And I have being feeling terrible for not doing any of those things. Once again, laziness and procrastination played a huge role on it. Or perhaps the freaking hot weather is also a main cause too. A weather that stops people from doing anything since it is too hot. Like most of the time you just feel lethargic and like stoning at home... Ok, I'm trying to push the blame here. Haha.
Let's just hope that my spiritual energy will be back soon, and I can blast through the way to fulfil my targets.
Perhaps some sort of psychological barrier has been there ever since I failed my second TP, and the thought that I will never pass as long as there are those pervertic TPs around has been running through my mind everytime I think of getting back to take driving lessons. As for the self-study, this is just a pure lazy mentality and procrastination.
After receiving the unexpected gift from Edwin, I have been using it to create something similar to what Russell is doing lately. The video of my very own Weekly Top 10 Music Chart which features the ranking of the songs I like every week. Guess making video from Adobe Premiere Pro should consider as the part of the self-study goal...? Wait, I still have Dreamweaver, Photoshop and Flash to explore too. But Premiere Pro is way more interesting than the other three...
I have also been telling myself to go exercise more. But the drive is just getting lesser and lesser. I have been to swimming only twice this month! No jogging. No gym. And I have being feeling terrible for not doing any of those things. Once again, laziness and procrastination played a huge role on it. Or perhaps the freaking hot weather is also a main cause too. A weather that stops people from doing anything since it is too hot. Like most of the time you just feel lethargic and like stoning at home... Ok, I'm trying to push the blame here. Haha.
Let's just hope that my spiritual energy will be back soon, and I can blast through the way to fulfil my targets.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Rain...
We've finally found the new dawn,
But time hinders us.
It's not the future that we turned towards,
All we pursued is the past.
These relentless memories won't stop ringing,
They don't seem to forgive me.
Isn't it about time? I feel my way through.
Tears of conflict brim and roll down my tired cheeks.
I wonder when will the rain stop?
It's been so cold for a long time.
Why does the rain choose to fall on me?
Should I lose myself in it?
The rain does not know how to stop,
It continues to fall as always.
While that, in this umbrella gently held out to me,
I snuggle towards the warmth.
This is another fantastic song. It is the Opening Theme for Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood. I delicate this song to all emo friends out there!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Shockingly Overwhelmed 2!!
It's been a year since I was surprised by my bunch of old friends. Now this year, it is time for new friends to surprise me.
Ever since I changed my personality during Secondary 1, I started to be more open and to speak out more often. As such, sometimes, I would probably say something that might offend my friends in some way. Hence, I don't expect to get return from them as I think I don't really deserve it. Things like the surprise party they held last year, which totally shocked me for like decades, was something that till now still shocks me. So now, the so-called memorable age to hold a big birthday party for me was over, and I do not expect any presents from my friends anymore. If they insist, I think just a simple treat for a meal is good enough. But just this Monday, Luvena, Fang Qi and Yvonne bought me a Adidas T-shirt, while Derek and his girlfriend bought me 2 more novels. Moreover, there is another big surprise from my University friends...
It was an invitation from Edwin to play Wii in his house, which is in Ang Mo Kio. I was told to meet Alvin Kwang, Russell and Shaun Lee at the Tampines Bus Interchange at 2pm on 12 May. But they were 15 minutes late!!! Russell even told me the reason why when he was not supposed to tell me. Well, he said it was because they were playing Arcade in the Tampines Mall. I was like "What?! Play arcade and did not tell me?!", then he replied quickly and said that they met out earlier to buy my present... ... ... Well... Ok, First Surprise!!! But they did not hand over the present at that moment.
It was an one-hour bus journey from Tampines to Ang Mo Kio. I suddenly felt a terrible headache from my neck strain. Oh dear, I need more exercise to reduce the strain...
It started drizzling when we reached the interchange, and Edwin brought us to his house. Edwin lives on a 25-storey flat, and just missed the lift which was on the way to 25th storey. Since we are only going to the 4th storey, we took stairs instead which could greatly reduce the waiting time.
A Wii battle has begun once everything was set up properly. However, the freaking hot weather has already made us warm and sticky... Nevertheless, we still need a little warm up with Mario Kart! Then, we played Rock Band and Guitar Hero. Edwin's drum set is a bit slow in reacting, so we have to faster than the real rhythm by one beat. Kinda weird though. I tried playing the guitar with my right hand once, but found out it was definitely easier for me to play with left hand. The song, "Hotel California" has made me very sleepy and not to mention my headache which has worsened probably due to the extreme heat of the weather, so I decided to sleep for a while.
Tingting came during my sleep. I heard some secret conversation going on as they were whispering among themselves. But I could only hear faintly as I'm still in my sub-conscious state. However, my mind began to clear, with my eyes still shut, because Tingting kept on laughing ever since she arrived. So I pretended to wake up when someone suddenly sat very hard on the sofa I was sleeping on. I thought the sleep could reduce the intensity of my headache, but it did not help... So I took a panadol and carried on with the game.
We changed to Wii Sports, and Alvin and Russell started off first with Boxing. Shaun and Tingting laughed so hard when they both saw them playing. Alvin beat Russell. I beat Shaun. Edwin beat Tingting. The game was freaking tiring, but brought the most laughter out of them. Next up was Tennis. It was a short game before we changed to Bowling. Bowling was another game that made us laughed quite badly. The first game was between Shaun and I. Although I have won without a strike, Shaun managed to get strike and was a few points behind me. The subsequent matches, all players could get several strikes! I'm the only one who did not manage to get any. Agitated by Shaun, I decided to play again, and I could finally get 2 strikes!!!
After that, I wanted to use the toilet, but was suddenly stopped by Edwin, and I did not feel anything suspicious at all. Until the lights went off, I finally understood... Tingting came out with a chocolate birthday cake. That was the moment I was truly surprised, but that was not the biggest surprise. Anyway, when I was surprised by the cake, I don't know how to react again, so I started crapping again. I said I recognised the cake from one cake shop, and I even mentioned that I don't really like chocolate cake!!! I did not really mean to hurt their intention, is just that I did not know how to react appropriately... Sorry guys... Tingting and Edwin were preparing plates for the cake. I went in to help but we cracked a joke which resulted a plate to fall off and break... Terribly sorry again...
We then had a few rounds of baseball before we went out for our dinner. By that time, it was already 9pm plus. I went to a nearby coffee shop for dinner. We had several conversation topics, but most of the time, Edwin was silently watching us and laughing together. At a point of time, Tingting suddenly like twisting her neck like indicating something to the others but not me. I got what she was trying to say, but the others did not really get it. So I told them explicitly to give me my presents! Haha. Oops.
I only remembered seeing a blue paper bag, but did not expect to receive another bag and a card. I took out the one in the blue paper bag first. There are 2 clothes, Yeah! More clothes for my wardrobe! As usual, I made crappy comments again by saying one, which was picked by Alvin, that it was like a commercial for a washing detergent! I was like asking why 2? Russell kindly explained that buying 2 will have a discount! Haha! Next, I took out the card, and it looks like a handcrafted product! Really touched.
Finally, the biggest surprise was the mysterious silver paper bag with a box in it. I took out and gave a big gasp and shock! It was the prize Edwin got for his video award!!! The Adobe CS4 Master Collection! Yes, I did write that I wanted one of the programmes, and I'm going to get it myself by some means, but I didn't expect to get the whole thing!!! I couldn't accept such a expensive thing! That should be the most expensive present!!! Should be more expensive than the Crampler Bag right?! I tried to push away, but I really could not find words to push away... Sigh.
I really think they should not plan such an occasion for me as I know most of my friends' birthdays fall on the semester period. And it means that we do not have time to plan and celebrate their birthdays. Hence, if I'm the only one whose birthday falls on the holiday period, it will be unfair for the others if I'm the only one who get celebrated... and I would not give crappy comments that may offend your intentions...
~Still, I'm really touched. Thanks for the effort guys! Hope you all will not get offended by my silliness!
Ever since I changed my personality during Secondary 1, I started to be more open and to speak out more often. As such, sometimes, I would probably say something that might offend my friends in some way. Hence, I don't expect to get return from them as I think I don't really deserve it. Things like the surprise party they held last year, which totally shocked me for like decades, was something that till now still shocks me. So now, the so-called memorable age to hold a big birthday party for me was over, and I do not expect any presents from my friends anymore. If they insist, I think just a simple treat for a meal is good enough. But just this Monday, Luvena, Fang Qi and Yvonne bought me a Adidas T-shirt, while Derek and his girlfriend bought me 2 more novels. Moreover, there is another big surprise from my University friends...
It was an invitation from Edwin to play Wii in his house, which is in Ang Mo Kio. I was told to meet Alvin Kwang, Russell and Shaun Lee at the Tampines Bus Interchange at 2pm on 12 May. But they were 15 minutes late!!! Russell even told me the reason why when he was not supposed to tell me. Well, he said it was because they were playing Arcade in the Tampines Mall. I was like "What?! Play arcade and did not tell me?!", then he replied quickly and said that they met out earlier to buy my present... ... ... Well... Ok, First Surprise!!! But they did not hand over the present at that moment.
It was an one-hour bus journey from Tampines to Ang Mo Kio. I suddenly felt a terrible headache from my neck strain. Oh dear, I need more exercise to reduce the strain...
It started drizzling when we reached the interchange, and Edwin brought us to his house. Edwin lives on a 25-storey flat, and just missed the lift which was on the way to 25th storey. Since we are only going to the 4th storey, we took stairs instead which could greatly reduce the waiting time.
A Wii battle has begun once everything was set up properly. However, the freaking hot weather has already made us warm and sticky... Nevertheless, we still need a little warm up with Mario Kart! Then, we played Rock Band and Guitar Hero. Edwin's drum set is a bit slow in reacting, so we have to faster than the real rhythm by one beat. Kinda weird though. I tried playing the guitar with my right hand once, but found out it was definitely easier for me to play with left hand. The song, "Hotel California" has made me very sleepy and not to mention my headache which has worsened probably due to the extreme heat of the weather, so I decided to sleep for a while.
Tingting came during my sleep. I heard some secret conversation going on as they were whispering among themselves. But I could only hear faintly as I'm still in my sub-conscious state. However, my mind began to clear, with my eyes still shut, because Tingting kept on laughing ever since she arrived. So I pretended to wake up when someone suddenly sat very hard on the sofa I was sleeping on. I thought the sleep could reduce the intensity of my headache, but it did not help... So I took a panadol and carried on with the game.
We changed to Wii Sports, and Alvin and Russell started off first with Boxing. Shaun and Tingting laughed so hard when they both saw them playing. Alvin beat Russell. I beat Shaun. Edwin beat Tingting. The game was freaking tiring, but brought the most laughter out of them. Next up was Tennis. It was a short game before we changed to Bowling. Bowling was another game that made us laughed quite badly. The first game was between Shaun and I. Although I have won without a strike, Shaun managed to get strike and was a few points behind me. The subsequent matches, all players could get several strikes! I'm the only one who did not manage to get any. Agitated by Shaun, I decided to play again, and I could finally get 2 strikes!!!
After that, I wanted to use the toilet, but was suddenly stopped by Edwin, and I did not feel anything suspicious at all. Until the lights went off, I finally understood... Tingting came out with a chocolate birthday cake. That was the moment I was truly surprised, but that was not the biggest surprise. Anyway, when I was surprised by the cake, I don't know how to react again, so I started crapping again. I said I recognised the cake from one cake shop, and I even mentioned that I don't really like chocolate cake!!! I did not really mean to hurt their intention, is just that I did not know how to react appropriately... Sorry guys... Tingting and Edwin were preparing plates for the cake. I went in to help but we cracked a joke which resulted a plate to fall off and break... Terribly sorry again...
We then had a few rounds of baseball before we went out for our dinner. By that time, it was already 9pm plus. I went to a nearby coffee shop for dinner. We had several conversation topics, but most of the time, Edwin was silently watching us and laughing together. At a point of time, Tingting suddenly like twisting her neck like indicating something to the others but not me. I got what she was trying to say, but the others did not really get it. So I told them explicitly to give me my presents! Haha. Oops.
I only remembered seeing a blue paper bag, but did not expect to receive another bag and a card. I took out the one in the blue paper bag first. There are 2 clothes, Yeah! More clothes for my wardrobe! As usual, I made crappy comments again by saying one, which was picked by Alvin, that it was like a commercial for a washing detergent! I was like asking why 2? Russell kindly explained that buying 2 will have a discount! Haha! Next, I took out the card, and it looks like a handcrafted product! Really touched.
Finally, the biggest surprise was the mysterious silver paper bag with a box in it. I took out and gave a big gasp and shock! It was the prize Edwin got for his video award!!! The Adobe CS4 Master Collection! Yes, I did write that I wanted one of the programmes, and I'm going to get it myself by some means, but I didn't expect to get the whole thing!!! I couldn't accept such a expensive thing! That should be the most expensive present!!! Should be more expensive than the Crampler Bag right?! I tried to push away, but I really could not find words to push away... Sigh.
I really think they should not plan such an occasion for me as I know most of my friends' birthdays fall on the semester period. And it means that we do not have time to plan and celebrate their birthdays. Hence, if I'm the only one whose birthday falls on the holiday period, it will be unfair for the others if I'm the only one who get celebrated... and I would not give crappy comments that may offend your intentions...
~Still, I'm really touched. Thanks for the effort guys! Hope you all will not get offended by my silliness!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)