“The death of Robert Frost leaves a vacancy in the American spirit....His death impoverishes us all; but he has bequeathed his Nation a body of imperishable verse from which Americans will forever gain joy and understanding.” John F Kennedy
He is a man who was continuously plagued with grief and loss, but he could still write beautiful poems. His father died of tuberculosis when Frost was 11, leaving the family with just $8 after paying expenses. Frost's mother died of cancer in 1900. Frost’s sister was mentally ill and died in a mental hospital in 1929. Frost and his mother both suffered from depression, and his daughter Irma was also committed to a mental hospital in 1947. Even his wife was a little mentally ill.
Only 2 of his 6 children outlived Frost, with one of them mentally ill. One of his other children committed suicide, one died just days after birth and others died very young too.
Despite all these deaths and sadness, he was able to win 4 Pulitzer prizes (a US award for achievement in Literature, Journalism etc.) and he even managed to recite one of his poems at President John F. Kennedy’s inauguration ceremony! He is one of the most famous American poets of all time, and his poems are taught in many schools in America. In fact, I think that his life a one is very inspirational. Few people have seen so many loved ones die, Robert Frost is one of them. Despite having mental illness running through his family, he still managed to snap out of his depression and write poems. This is what we should do to. Whenever unfortunate events happen, we should not grief for too long. We should quickly “regain our composure” and try to return to our normal life.
Many of his poems are also inspirational poems. One example would be The Road Not Taken:
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
In case you do not understand the poem, it actually talks about the rewards of travelling the road that is less taken. Other poems of his that I like include: Going for Water and Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.
Sources:
http://poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/192
http://www.americanpoems.com/poets/robertfrost/12074
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Frost#Pulitzer_Prizes
http://www.ketzle.com/frost/
http://www.online-literature.com/frost/
http://www.poetry.org/famous.htm
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Poetry Analysis
Courage by Robert William Service
Today I opened wide my eyes,
And stared with wonder and surprise,
To see beneath November skies
An apple blossom peer;
Upon a branch as bleak as night
It gleamed exultant on my sight,
A fairy beacon burning bright
Of hope and cheer.
"Alas!" said I, "poor foolish thing,
Have you mistaken this for Spring?
Behold, the thrush has taken wing,
And Winter's near.
"Serene it seemed to lift its head:
"The Winter's wrath I do not dread,
Because I am," it proudly said,
"A Pioneer."
Some apple blossom must be first,
With beauty's urgency to burst
Into a world for joy athirst,
And so I dare;
And I shall see what none shall see -
December skies gloom over me,
And mock them with my April glee,
And fearless fare.
"And I shall hear what none shall hear -
The hardy robin piping clear,
The Storm King gallop dark and drear
Across the sky;
And I shall know what none shall know -
The silent kisses of the snow,
The Christmas candles' silver glow,
Before I die.
"Then from your frost-gemmed window pane
One morning you will look in vain,
My smile of delicate disdain
No more to see;
But though I pass before my time,
And perish in the grale and grime,
Maybe you'll have a little rhyme
To spare for me."
How are the figurative language used in the poem? Give the specific word(s), explain what type of figurative language it is and why the poet chose to use this figurative language?
Hyperboles
In stanza 3 and 4, the statements “I shall see what none shall see”, “I shall hear what none shall hear” and “I shall know what none shall know” are hyperboles. This is because they emphasize the rewards of being courageous to explore new boundaries. The author uses these hyperboles to encourage us to be brave.
Personification
There is a lot of personification in this poem as the author is writing about a tree with feelings. A tree is not supposed to have feelings, only humans have, so the poem should be all about personification. In the first stanza, the apple blossom tree “gleamed exultant” and “burned brightly”. (I am not saying that humans can burn brightly but rather the apple blossom tree was full of life and fervour) The author chose to use this to tell us that people should be like that apple blossom tree, full of courage to face life.
Also, the apple blossoms serenely “lift its head” to look at the winter skies. Then, the apple blossom said that it was not afraid of the “winter’s wrath”. The author uses this personification to tell us to have courage in times of difficulty. The apple blossom tree is “A pioneer”, the one to bloom before spring, the one to endure the winter. Similarly, we need to step out of our comfort zone and try out new things.
Regarding the winter, the apple blossom said that it will “mock them” with his “April glee” and “fearless fare”. The author is trying to tell us to not be afraid of danger. Instead, we should mock it by doing our best to overcome it.
The “Storm King gallop dark and drear across the sky” and “silent kisses of the snow” are also personifications. The author uses these to describe the hardships but also the happiness whenever a person has courage.
In the last stanza, the tree has a “smile of delicate disdain”. This personification actually tells us the satisfaction when one is brave enough to cross boundaries to explore new fields of study. Courage certainly has many advantages, according to the way the author writes.
Similes
There is only one simile in the poem, which is “as bleak as night”. The author uses this simile to emphasize the dangers ahead for the courageous.
Why do I like this poem?
For starters, it actually rhymes and the syllabus for each line is almost the same. (8 for the main lines and about 4 for the shorter lines.) This makes the poem a lot easier to read than other poems that do not rhyme.
Secondly, there is an effective use of personification. The author portrays a lowly tree as brave and strong-willed, even more so than most people. This is an inspirational poem and its main purpose is to tell people to be brave as even a tree is brave. After all, courage is what made the world, and will continue to do so. If no one is courageous enough to step out of their own comfort zone, nothing great will be accomplished.
Thirdly, It does not only critisise men, but also gives us inspiration to be brave. The author mentions rewards during and after the jouney. This, I think, is quite good inspiration for a depressed person. Thus, I like this poem.
Today I opened wide my eyes,
And stared with wonder and surprise,
To see beneath November skies
An apple blossom peer;
Upon a branch as bleak as night
It gleamed exultant on my sight,
A fairy beacon burning bright
Of hope and cheer.
"Alas!" said I, "poor foolish thing,
Have you mistaken this for Spring?
Behold, the thrush has taken wing,
And Winter's near.
"Serene it seemed to lift its head:
"The Winter's wrath I do not dread,
Because I am," it proudly said,
"A Pioneer."
Some apple blossom must be first,
With beauty's urgency to burst
Into a world for joy athirst,
And so I dare;
And I shall see what none shall see -
December skies gloom over me,
And mock them with my April glee,
And fearless fare.
"And I shall hear what none shall hear -
The hardy robin piping clear,
The Storm King gallop dark and drear
Across the sky;
And I shall know what none shall know -
The silent kisses of the snow,
The Christmas candles' silver glow,
Before I die.
"Then from your frost-gemmed window pane
One morning you will look in vain,
My smile of delicate disdain
No more to see;
But though I pass before my time,
And perish in the grale and grime,
Maybe you'll have a little rhyme
To spare for me."
How are the figurative language used in the poem? Give the specific word(s), explain what type of figurative language it is and why the poet chose to use this figurative language?
Hyperboles
In stanza 3 and 4, the statements “I shall see what none shall see”, “I shall hear what none shall hear” and “I shall know what none shall know” are hyperboles. This is because they emphasize the rewards of being courageous to explore new boundaries. The author uses these hyperboles to encourage us to be brave.
Personification
There is a lot of personification in this poem as the author is writing about a tree with feelings. A tree is not supposed to have feelings, only humans have, so the poem should be all about personification. In the first stanza, the apple blossom tree “gleamed exultant” and “burned brightly”. (I am not saying that humans can burn brightly but rather the apple blossom tree was full of life and fervour) The author chose to use this to tell us that people should be like that apple blossom tree, full of courage to face life.
Also, the apple blossoms serenely “lift its head” to look at the winter skies. Then, the apple blossom said that it was not afraid of the “winter’s wrath”. The author uses this personification to tell us to have courage in times of difficulty. The apple blossom tree is “A pioneer”, the one to bloom before spring, the one to endure the winter. Similarly, we need to step out of our comfort zone and try out new things.
Regarding the winter, the apple blossom said that it will “mock them” with his “April glee” and “fearless fare”. The author is trying to tell us to not be afraid of danger. Instead, we should mock it by doing our best to overcome it.
The “Storm King gallop dark and drear across the sky” and “silent kisses of the snow” are also personifications. The author uses these to describe the hardships but also the happiness whenever a person has courage.
In the last stanza, the tree has a “smile of delicate disdain”. This personification actually tells us the satisfaction when one is brave enough to cross boundaries to explore new fields of study. Courage certainly has many advantages, according to the way the author writes.
Similes
There is only one simile in the poem, which is “as bleak as night”. The author uses this simile to emphasize the dangers ahead for the courageous.
Why do I like this poem?
For starters, it actually rhymes and the syllabus for each line is almost the same. (8 for the main lines and about 4 for the shorter lines.) This makes the poem a lot easier to read than other poems that do not rhyme.
Secondly, there is an effective use of personification. The author portrays a lowly tree as brave and strong-willed, even more so than most people. This is an inspirational poem and its main purpose is to tell people to be brave as even a tree is brave. After all, courage is what made the world, and will continue to do so. If no one is courageous enough to step out of their own comfort zone, nothing great will be accomplished.
Thirdly, It does not only critisise men, but also gives us inspiration to be brave. The author mentions rewards during and after the jouney. This, I think, is quite good inspiration for a depressed person. Thus, I like this poem.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Book Review 1
Book read: Bones of the Hills by Conn Iggulden
18. What would the main character be likely to do if he/she visited your classroom?
Well, that would depend whether we are Arabian, Mongolian or Chinese. If we were Arabian, the main character would most likely order his men to execute us. He may also storm into the classroom shouting like a madman and kill us all. He would show no mercy to anybody.
However, if we were Chinese already loyal to him, he would most probably try to recruit us into his army. This is because his army was lacking in soldiers and he would want to train young Chinese in Mongolian ways.
If we were Mongolian, he would come in to observe us study. Alternatively, he may ask us questions and praise the children. Yes, he would be like a father to us. He would probably tell us a story of his exploits.
26. If the story happened in a foreign land, compare that land to Singapore.
The story is situated in ancient Afghanistan/Arabia. The land there is vast and wide, with widely varying terrain. In some places, the land is extremely fertile and rich. All sorts of crops and fruits grew there, and the city near it was made rich and luxurious. However, in others, the land is dry and barren like a desert, with almost no life at all. Battles were fought on huge mountains and narrow valleys barely wide enough to fit a man. The destruction that the Mongolians left in their wake made the entire land stink of rotting flesh and burnt cities. Most of Arabia was left in ruins.
The characters venture even to Russia, where the snow is thick enough to bury a person riding on a horse.
The people of Arabia lived in fear of a Mongol attack. No town was safe. The Mongols raided every town and city in the country and millions of people were killed. There was no sense of security, even in the midst of the strongest army in the world.
In Singapore, the terrain is relatively flat and small. It is a metropolitan city with land that is not too fertile but still good. Much of the land in southern Singapore is man-made, unlike the land in the story which is all natural. Singapore is not too dry, with a lot of rainfall. In fact, thunderstorms occur on almost 200 days a year. There are no high mountains, or for that matter, no mountains at all, in Singapore. Unlike the land in the story, Singapore’s air is really fresh (no corpses). There is no snow, or the 4 seasons.
The people of Singapore have a sense of security and are quite safe.( In fact, too much sense of security) The crime rate is low and there is no war currently.
37. Using information from the book about one of the main characters, rewrite the ending of the book.
Ending: “It is done,” Ogedai said. ”My father has gone and I will now accept the oaths of my people.”
My Ending: “My father is dead, and his death is already avenged. His spirit is even now protecting our gers. His legacy shall be sung for generations to come, never forgotten. Long live the Khan!”
55. Which character in the book would you choose as a friend? Why?
I would choose Tsubodai as my friend. He is a extremely intelligent general. He is able to analyze every situation and come up with dozens of solutions. Moreover, he is loyal to the finish and never betrays his friends. He is also king and caring, unlike other generals who are cold-hearted and cruel (only towards their enemies). He is sensitive to other’s feelings and does not like to kill as much as Genghis or Jochi.
18. What would the main character be likely to do if he/she visited your classroom?
Well, that would depend whether we are Arabian, Mongolian or Chinese. If we were Arabian, the main character would most likely order his men to execute us. He may also storm into the classroom shouting like a madman and kill us all. He would show no mercy to anybody.
However, if we were Chinese already loyal to him, he would most probably try to recruit us into his army. This is because his army was lacking in soldiers and he would want to train young Chinese in Mongolian ways.
If we were Mongolian, he would come in to observe us study. Alternatively, he may ask us questions and praise the children. Yes, he would be like a father to us. He would probably tell us a story of his exploits.
26. If the story happened in a foreign land, compare that land to Singapore.
The story is situated in ancient Afghanistan/Arabia. The land there is vast and wide, with widely varying terrain. In some places, the land is extremely fertile and rich. All sorts of crops and fruits grew there, and the city near it was made rich and luxurious. However, in others, the land is dry and barren like a desert, with almost no life at all. Battles were fought on huge mountains and narrow valleys barely wide enough to fit a man. The destruction that the Mongolians left in their wake made the entire land stink of rotting flesh and burnt cities. Most of Arabia was left in ruins.
The characters venture even to Russia, where the snow is thick enough to bury a person riding on a horse.
The people of Arabia lived in fear of a Mongol attack. No town was safe. The Mongols raided every town and city in the country and millions of people were killed. There was no sense of security, even in the midst of the strongest army in the world.
In Singapore, the terrain is relatively flat and small. It is a metropolitan city with land that is not too fertile but still good. Much of the land in southern Singapore is man-made, unlike the land in the story which is all natural. Singapore is not too dry, with a lot of rainfall. In fact, thunderstorms occur on almost 200 days a year. There are no high mountains, or for that matter, no mountains at all, in Singapore. Unlike the land in the story, Singapore’s air is really fresh (no corpses). There is no snow, or the 4 seasons.
The people of Singapore have a sense of security and are quite safe.( In fact, too much sense of security) The crime rate is low and there is no war currently.
37. Using information from the book about one of the main characters, rewrite the ending of the book.
Ending: “It is done,” Ogedai said. ”My father has gone and I will now accept the oaths of my people.”
My Ending: “My father is dead, and his death is already avenged. His spirit is even now protecting our gers. His legacy shall be sung for generations to come, never forgotten. Long live the Khan!”
55. Which character in the book would you choose as a friend? Why?
I would choose Tsubodai as my friend. He is a extremely intelligent general. He is able to analyze every situation and come up with dozens of solutions. Moreover, he is loyal to the finish and never betrays his friends. He is also king and caring, unlike other generals who are cold-hearted and cruel (only towards their enemies). He is sensitive to other’s feelings and does not like to kill as much as Genghis or Jochi.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Should we critisise people or the opinions they have?
I think that we should criticise them or their opinions, but not in a way that ruins their reputation or puts them down.
Firstly, I would like to say that criticism actually improves a person. When someone receives criticism, he or she will try his/her best to change for the better. For example, if my friend is always forgetful, I will tell him that he is too forgetful and should change. He will then try not to be forgetful. Without criticism, no one would know his/her own weaknesses, and there would not be great people.
However, I feel that criticism that is too harsh may hurt a person's feelings. Once, when I was watching a singing contest, the judges were criticising a man so harshly that the man started to fume and scold the judges! Sometimes, criticism causes strife between friends and enmity to develop. Thus, we will have to watch what we say very carefully, or else we may hurt other people's feelings.
One example of criticising harshly is openly criticising someone. If you criticise someone in public, they will "lose face". Most of the time, they will hate you for causing them so much embarrassment. Criticising someone in public also defeats the true purpose of criticism. Criticism is to inform that particular person of his/her mistake. It is not to let the whole world know that he/she has made a mistake.
When trying to criticise someone, you should do it in a way that makes the person think that you really care for him/her. You must talk to him/her gently and try not to seem like you are criticising them, but instead like you are advising them. This will make you criticism/advice more easily accepted by the other party.
Firstly, I would like to say that criticism actually improves a person. When someone receives criticism, he or she will try his/her best to change for the better. For example, if my friend is always forgetful, I will tell him that he is too forgetful and should change. He will then try not to be forgetful. Without criticism, no one would know his/her own weaknesses, and there would not be great people.
However, I feel that criticism that is too harsh may hurt a person's feelings. Once, when I was watching a singing contest, the judges were criticising a man so harshly that the man started to fume and scold the judges! Sometimes, criticism causes strife between friends and enmity to develop. Thus, we will have to watch what we say very carefully, or else we may hurt other people's feelings.
One example of criticising harshly is openly criticising someone. If you criticise someone in public, they will "lose face". Most of the time, they will hate you for causing them so much embarrassment. Criticising someone in public also defeats the true purpose of criticism. Criticism is to inform that particular person of his/her mistake. It is not to let the whole world know that he/she has made a mistake.
When trying to criticise someone, you should do it in a way that makes the person think that you really care for him/her. You must talk to him/her gently and try not to seem like you are criticising them, but instead like you are advising them. This will make you criticism/advice more easily accepted by the other party.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
If many people think it is true, is it true?
Well, I think that if many people think it is true, it is most probably true.
However, it is human to make mistakes, and sometimes the truth is not true. It may just a misunderstanding or an assumption based on inadequate facts. (or false information) One example would be when an airplane crashed over the North Sea in 1983. The prime minister had ridden on the doomed plane just a few weeks earlier, and the airplane just disintegrated in midair. At that time, most people assumed it was a bomb. However, further investigation proved otherwise. The plane had crashed because of three inferior bolts holding the tail of the plane to the main body. From this example we can see that what many people assume is true may not be true.
Sometimes, it is heavily influence by propaganda and is thus untrue. In Animal farm, the animals believed Squealer's figures that their rations had increased and their lifes were better. However, this was propaganda spread by Squealer to assure the animals that they were well to do when in fact, they were starving. We have to discern whether a piece of news is true instead of believing everything the media reports. Nothing but the Truth tells us more about the complexities of the truth. Most people believed that Narwin was in the wrong. (this was what the media reported) In actual fact, it was Philip who was in the wrong. He was actually playing a practical joke on Narwin.
In my point of view, truth is just a perception. There is no way of learning the WHOLE truth because everyone tells their own story from their own perception. What most people believe is what is considered the truth, however, it is still only a perception as it is from someone's point of view. Thus, what people believe may not be the truth.
However, it is human to make mistakes, and sometimes the truth is not true. It may just a misunderstanding or an assumption based on inadequate facts. (or false information) One example would be when an airplane crashed over the North Sea in 1983. The prime minister had ridden on the doomed plane just a few weeks earlier, and the airplane just disintegrated in midair. At that time, most people assumed it was a bomb. However, further investigation proved otherwise. The plane had crashed because of three inferior bolts holding the tail of the plane to the main body. From this example we can see that what many people assume is true may not be true.
Sometimes, it is heavily influence by propaganda and is thus untrue. In Animal farm, the animals believed Squealer's figures that their rations had increased and their lifes were better. However, this was propaganda spread by Squealer to assure the animals that they were well to do when in fact, they were starving. We have to discern whether a piece of news is true instead of believing everything the media reports. Nothing but the Truth tells us more about the complexities of the truth. Most people believed that Narwin was in the wrong. (this was what the media reported) In actual fact, it was Philip who was in the wrong. He was actually playing a practical joke on Narwin.
In my point of view, truth is just a perception. There is no way of learning the WHOLE truth because everyone tells their own story from their own perception. What most people believe is what is considered the truth, however, it is still only a perception as it is from someone's point of view. Thus, what people believe may not be the truth.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Is it your duty to give to Charity?
I think that it is my duty to give to charity. However, some others do not regard it is a duty.
As a Christian, I feel that what I have, be it money or things, are all graciously provided by God. God wants all Christians to love other people. Thus, we are compelled yet willing to give to charity. Charity work will benefit less fortunate people in the society. Also, many times charity work actually touched many people's hearts and they also became Christians.
Putting religion aside, I personally feel that it is still our duty to give to charity. This is because I am very moved by pictures of people in poverty or handicapped people. They have very little to eat and millions die from diseases and hunger every year. I sometimes try to put myself into their shoes and imagine not eating for days or being blind, and I realise it is unimaginable unless you experience it first hand. I try to do my part to help them by donating money to charity. That is the least one can do.
Some people really do charity work. They give up their life of luxury to go to poverty-stricken countries to provide aid to the poor. They devote their whole life to doing charity work. I heard of one man who climbed mountains to raise awareness of handicapped people, and a handicapped person travelling around the world in his wheelchair. If the handicapped can do that, the least I can do is donate money, right?
However, it is sad that there are many selfish people in the world. Yes, they give to charity, but not because of love, but to increase their popularity. The public puts a lot of pressure on rich people to donate to charity. However, some of these rich people do not give willingly, but give to make sure that they do not receive criticism from the public.
Even more saddening is the fact that there are some people who do not give to charity at ALL! They scold people who are collecting money for charity and refuse to do charity work.
I hope everyone can give to charity generously and help poor people cope in this economic crisis.
As a Christian, I feel that what I have, be it money or things, are all graciously provided by God. God wants all Christians to love other people. Thus, we are compelled yet willing to give to charity. Charity work will benefit less fortunate people in the society. Also, many times charity work actually touched many people's hearts and they also became Christians.
Putting religion aside, I personally feel that it is still our duty to give to charity. This is because I am very moved by pictures of people in poverty or handicapped people. They have very little to eat and millions die from diseases and hunger every year. I sometimes try to put myself into their shoes and imagine not eating for days or being blind, and I realise it is unimaginable unless you experience it first hand. I try to do my part to help them by donating money to charity. That is the least one can do.
Some people really do charity work. They give up their life of luxury to go to poverty-stricken countries to provide aid to the poor. They devote their whole life to doing charity work. I heard of one man who climbed mountains to raise awareness of handicapped people, and a handicapped person travelling around the world in his wheelchair. If the handicapped can do that, the least I can do is donate money, right?
However, it is sad that there are many selfish people in the world. Yes, they give to charity, but not because of love, but to increase their popularity. The public puts a lot of pressure on rich people to donate to charity. However, some of these rich people do not give willingly, but give to make sure that they do not receive criticism from the public.
Even more saddening is the fact that there are some people who do not give to charity at ALL! They scold people who are collecting money for charity and refuse to do charity work.
I hope everyone can give to charity generously and help poor people cope in this economic crisis.
Monday, June 8, 2009
If you could eliminate one emotion from the world, would you? Which one? Why?
If I could eliminate one emotion from the world, I would remove hatred.
Hatred is intense feelings of dislike towards someone or something. Hatred has been the cause of many wars and fights, which have resulted in many deaths. Hatred is a very dangerous emotion that brings out the worst in people. People turn violent and aggressive when hatred is in their heart. One such example would be Hitler. He hated the Allied Powers for making Germany poor and bankrupt. thus, he rallied the people and prosecuted the Jews. The war that he caused claimed over 60 million lives. All because of hatred.
Hatred also has many disadvantages. People who harbour hatred in their heart are:
- never fully happy or content.
- bitter and cold toward almost everybody in their life.
- not sought out by others to be a friend.
- socially isolated and lonely.
- caustic, hostile, sarcastic and cynical.
- lacking in enthusiasm, energy and spontaneity in their daily life.
- mistrusting, paranoid and suspicious in their relationships.
- easily provoked to anger
Hatred may be caused by jealousy, thirst for revenge and if that person irritates you. It can cause harm to everyone around you. Thus, it is important to know how to control your hatred.
Firstly, you need to learn how to forgive others. If others made you feel hurt, you must first forgive that person. Also, you need to know whether he scolded you because you were wrong or just to insult you. You must not retaliate before knowing who is in the wrong.
Secondly, you must learn how to treat others well so that they have a good relationship with you. Only then will they not insult you. You need to treat them fairly and help them when they need help. Always try to talk to they kindly and not continuously criticise them. The Bible says: "Do unto others what you want them to do unto you." If you want other people to like you, you have to first respect and care for their feelings. If you scold them and beat them, they will also scold you and beat you. This cycle of hatred will continue for a long time.
Thus, I hope that everyone will learn to love and not hate. Also, even if you cannot remove this emotion from the world, you can at least remove this emotion from your life. If everyone can do this, or even limit the amount of hatred, the world will be a much better place.
Friday, June 5, 2009
My First Semester as a Secondary One Student
My first semester as a secondary one student has been a fun, fruitful and rewarding experience. Although the journey was relatively tough compared to my primary school, I still managed to pull through, with results that were, in fact, not bad. Even more rewarding was the lessons I have learnt during this 6 month period.
A new school, new friends and a whole new life awaited me the moment I arrived at the gate. However, the orientation buddies and group mates were warm and friendly. I soon got to understand the Hwa Chong spirit, a spirit of warmth and camaraderie. This helped me in adapting to secondary school life.
Even thought we were ordered to cheer our hearts out on many occasions, I do not regard this as a chore or a responsibility, but instead as a sign of my utmost respect and loyalty to the school. These times spent cheering were a valuable lesson to me. It taught the importance of loyalty and repayment.
Another incident was when I was reprimanded for not bowing to a teacher. That teacher demanded that we bow to any teacher we meet. At first, I sneered and thought that forcing someone to show respect was quite ridiculous as the respect was not real respect but fear instead. However, now I know that everyone should be respected, especially our elders (teachers) because they have contributed to us something in one way or another.
In the beginning of the year, I was not really on good terms with a person in my CCA. Every time he hurled an insult at me, I was infuriated and really felt like punching him right there and then. But I knew that violence would only bring about more violence, thus starting the vicious cycle. Retaliation was not an answer. Instead, I ignored him and even helped him to solve his problems. Slowly, what used to be an easily agitated me turned into a patient and calm person. He soon became my best of friends, and we are on our way to winning another competition.
Hwa Chong has many interesting and fresh things to do. Firstly, the campus is exceptionally big! Usually, we take 8 minutes to walk from the classroom to the art studio, and this has caused the whole class to be reprimanded countless times. However, I appreciate the campus as it is scenic and spacious, unlike my primary school. The fact that the school has a whole block of science labs and a whole block of computer labs never fails to amaze me. What’s more, there is a full size track and field readily available, with many gymnasiums.
My grades have been quite good this two terms, but not you would call brilliant. However, I did show a slight improvement in my grades; form 1.83 to 1.50! I want to work harder in the next few months to make sure I improve some more.
A new school, new friends and a whole new life awaited me the moment I arrived at the gate. However, the orientation buddies and group mates were warm and friendly. I soon got to understand the Hwa Chong spirit, a spirit of warmth and camaraderie. This helped me in adapting to secondary school life.
Even thought we were ordered to cheer our hearts out on many occasions, I do not regard this as a chore or a responsibility, but instead as a sign of my utmost respect and loyalty to the school. These times spent cheering were a valuable lesson to me. It taught the importance of loyalty and repayment.
Another incident was when I was reprimanded for not bowing to a teacher. That teacher demanded that we bow to any teacher we meet. At first, I sneered and thought that forcing someone to show respect was quite ridiculous as the respect was not real respect but fear instead. However, now I know that everyone should be respected, especially our elders (teachers) because they have contributed to us something in one way or another.
In the beginning of the year, I was not really on good terms with a person in my CCA. Every time he hurled an insult at me, I was infuriated and really felt like punching him right there and then. But I knew that violence would only bring about more violence, thus starting the vicious cycle. Retaliation was not an answer. Instead, I ignored him and even helped him to solve his problems. Slowly, what used to be an easily agitated me turned into a patient and calm person. He soon became my best of friends, and we are on our way to winning another competition.
Hwa Chong has many interesting and fresh things to do. Firstly, the campus is exceptionally big! Usually, we take 8 minutes to walk from the classroom to the art studio, and this has caused the whole class to be reprimanded countless times. However, I appreciate the campus as it is scenic and spacious, unlike my primary school. The fact that the school has a whole block of science labs and a whole block of computer labs never fails to amaze me. What’s more, there is a full size track and field readily available, with many gymnasiums.
My grades have been quite good this two terms, but not you would call brilliant. However, I did show a slight improvement in my grades; form 1.83 to 1.50! I want to work harder in the next few months to make sure I improve some more.
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