This is a publicity post for my friend. He is organising a scrapbook competition called SCRAPS as part of the Shine Festival. The submission deadline is 7 July. ;p. Check out http://scraps.youth.sg for more details.
Have a good day!
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Owls' inspiration
It was a some-would-say trashy fantasy series, but the characters feel so real in their struggles.
The boy who was blamed for all the mishaps, grew used to feeling guilty for things beyond his control. He who was made to feel like a burden, believed in his incapabilities more than what he could potentially do. Nothing he could do could have been right. He was not himself, but a part of the sleepy, inward-looking and conservative village. Yet he surprised his adopted kin, time and again, with independence and thoughtfulness beyond his age.
His teacher sacrificed to defend the village, but everyone had for a long time, thought he was out to cheat them for a living.
The under-appreciated seem to cope, by turning themselves inwards and convincing themselves of their apparent worthlessness. On the other hand, one has to be immensely confident to be unshakened by deprecating remarks. People have to fit somehow.
The girl who was blessed with the Healer's gift became so engrossed with saving lives she almost sacrificed herself. But prior to that, she almost became a hermit because her gift almost went out of control, making her feel everyone's emotions and physical discomforts.
It is odd how some people feel others' pains, but cannot let it show. Others do not seem to feel at all and let fly hurting comments.
On another note, it is amazing how in a single day, I have been said to be calculative, uptight and cooperative. Well, I am the same person, but what you think of me is as much my doing as your own conditioning.
The boy who was blamed for all the mishaps, grew used to feeling guilty for things beyond his control. He who was made to feel like a burden, believed in his incapabilities more than what he could potentially do. Nothing he could do could have been right. He was not himself, but a part of the sleepy, inward-looking and conservative village. Yet he surprised his adopted kin, time and again, with independence and thoughtfulness beyond his age.
His teacher sacrificed to defend the village, but everyone had for a long time, thought he was out to cheat them for a living.
The under-appreciated seem to cope, by turning themselves inwards and convincing themselves of their apparent worthlessness. On the other hand, one has to be immensely confident to be unshakened by deprecating remarks. People have to fit somehow.
The girl who was blessed with the Healer's gift became so engrossed with saving lives she almost sacrificed herself. But prior to that, she almost became a hermit because her gift almost went out of control, making her feel everyone's emotions and physical discomforts.
It is odd how some people feel others' pains, but cannot let it show. Others do not seem to feel at all and let fly hurting comments.
On another note, it is amazing how in a single day, I have been said to be calculative, uptight and cooperative. Well, I am the same person, but what you think of me is as much my doing as your own conditioning.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Established chaos
Trails appear in grasslands because someone decided to trudge through the mud and others followed. Even set ways and concrete paths are built by men trodding on hitherto untrampled grounds. I cannot be the strait-laced, obedient, accepting and uncritical person you thought was good for that kind of job. I have not changed, as you said. Those "qualities" have never been in me.
But the right of way has to be reasoned out, substantiated, not taken for granted. If something has existed since time immemorial, it does not necessarily mean it is right. That is why religion is a faith, to be believed in, not to be argued out.
Being quiet never equated unthinking subservience. Change will not take place overnight. It has to be effected gradually, through gradual nudges. No one woke up one morning and decided to start a revolution. Think of ways to change things, not ways to turn established ideas into chaos.
And on an unrelated note, confidence is not cockiness.
Stoicism and a lack of emotions does not equate being grouchy.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Private sphere, public space
Note: I have just deleted the cryptic posts and those which may be in the slightest way deemed work-related and sensitive. =)
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Relativity
Results are 3As and a B for all who want to know. No fight for the hundreds of people with 4As, but otherwise no reason to be upset about it. That slip is important for scholarships, universities and the like, but it is not life. I am worth more than a handful of alphabets printed on recycled paper.
It is striking the way the same set of results draw different reactions in various settings. Among the high achievers in Hwa Chong, I am a small fry, if not a disappointment, someone who may not make it to the list of scholars. The focus is of course, academic. My rather concerned boss emphasised that there is no need to kill ourselves over a set of results. He is far removed from the times of a levels, and since then grade inflation has been significant.To my granddad who does not understand the system, all he wants to know is "good" or "no good". My rather more discerning uncle is only concerned with scholarships, reserving his comments until I clarified that it is still possible to go overseas.
Results change perceptions, just as the same set of results elicit different judgements. Some with stellar results, have the road ahead paved carefully in stone, and thus spurn the mud trails and the accompanying sceneries which they have hitherto professed to enjoy. Others less fortunate and/or hardworking (however you put it), now tread ever more cautiously on these undefined tracks. Beggars cannot be choosers.
I cut it close, perhaps a little too close for comfort. However, all roads lead to Rome. All that differs is the journey and the associated level of ease, affluence and fame. It is alright to go on a wild adventure by myself. I am myself and not a list of achievements, which matters little in the end. We only live once, and will all eventually crumble to dust.
It is striking the way the same set of results draw different reactions in various settings. Among the high achievers in Hwa Chong, I am a small fry, if not a disappointment, someone who may not make it to the list of scholars. The focus is of course, academic. My rather concerned boss emphasised that there is no need to kill ourselves over a set of results. He is far removed from the times of a levels, and since then grade inflation has been significant.To my granddad who does not understand the system, all he wants to know is "good" or "no good". My rather more discerning uncle is only concerned with scholarships, reserving his comments until I clarified that it is still possible to go overseas.
Results change perceptions, just as the same set of results elicit different judgements. Some with stellar results, have the road ahead paved carefully in stone, and thus spurn the mud trails and the accompanying sceneries which they have hitherto professed to enjoy. Others less fortunate and/or hardworking (however you put it), now tread ever more cautiously on these undefined tracks. Beggars cannot be choosers.
I cut it close, perhaps a little too close for comfort. However, all roads lead to Rome. All that differs is the journey and the associated level of ease, affluence and fame. It is alright to go on a wild adventure by myself. I am myself and not a list of achievements, which matters little in the end. We only live once, and will all eventually crumble to dust.
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