I'm not speaking for all NUS students. In fact, it's hard to find out whom I'm speaking for.
NUS trains its students like a soldier. I almost said, we're not treated like soldiers, we're treated like machines. Machines who have a life, who have feelings, who are expected to perform or be chucked away.
Another view: You can slack your way and graduate. You can also enjoy your life here with heaps of school activities. You have lots of freedom. My department takes attendance of students for every tutorial class though. They care for students, and hope that students are not skipping class because they have other issues eg family problems, to attend to.
Deadlines are a common occurence. We're expected to know everything, do everything. We don't get to choose our fuel. If we're running on V-power, i.e. the professor/lecturer is jaw-drop amazing, you're lucky. Even so, you're not so lucky because the best professors have the best students and you're expected to be at tip-top conditions. NUS students are expected to be optimal at least for 16 hours a day. Perhaps the National Service conscription had something to do with it.
Another view: Yes we have continuous assessment. They are endless, and difficult to score sometimes. Students who are in this system seem to be able to go and keep going. Never-say-die, even though they constantly say "Die (lah), Die (lah), tomorrow need to hand this in. How?"
We don't get away with memorizing. BUT we can't get away without memorizing either. We have to memorise, synthesize new knowledge as soon as possible, and make sense of everything. There aren't many professors who understands that students cannot do everything. It's expected of you. If you can't speak out in class, write potent arguments on forums, present yourself with flair during projects, no one will save you. That's the power of the bell-curve. Individuals are treated as individuals, as particles, as machines. If you're a good machine, any kind of oil produces the best quality stuff.
Another view: It's a rigourous track. Sometimes people say it's more difficult than Oxbridge... But you learn something. Arts students are (I hope) well-trained for any setting.
This reminds me of the industrial revolution when people had to work so hard to achieve nothing in the end. Students cannot wait to graduate. How much of a hellhole is this?
Another view: I'm in Year 3. Students will miss this place only after they graduate because the working world is so much worse.
I know of this guy. He wrote a wonderful paper, and wrote to his professor to tell him that the professor had covered too much content for the question, in class, and the professor is stealing his ideas. The professor writes back telling him not to be lofty in his ambitions, and implied he liked something more orthodox. So he rewrites his paper, and submits an orthodox paper with a standard view that the professor would be expected to like. This morning, the professor stated in class that he wanted something "that differentiates you from the person next to you". "If you don't take risks now, then when? You can't be taking risks in the workforce."
Another view: Work within limits. Don't think too far ahead. You're not a PhD student, so behave like an undergrad. One who shines.
QUESTION: ARE WE EVEN ALLOWED TO TAKE RISKS IN NUS? Because it affects the CAP (cumulative average point).
He broke down in class quietly, and stated that he had taken the module because he thought he would do well, despite the fact that he had completed his requirements for Year 3. He wanted to drop the module just for an essay, just because he could potentially get a B+, or even B, for his paper. He needed a 0.2 increment in his CAP score, and he couldn't risk anything.
Life in NUS is a game of life and death. People had started studying since 3 years old. They could sometimes quote amazing stuff at a tender age. Of course, humans can't be good at everything, but if you're not good in studies, people tell me "Singapore hasn't room for you".
Another view: You could choose another path, but any other path is usually frowned upon. Success is a big thing here in Singapore.
Reminds me of the Russian Roulette. Little did people know that this NUS game is a game of luck. If there are really brilliant people in your class, you're dead. If you do fall ill, you're behind. It's difficult to catch up.
I have moved away from home to avoid my family. They are a lovely bunch of people, but they're so lovely I end up talking to them a lot. I have to focus, read, and work. But they keep me sane. Blogging keeps me sane. And crimson keeps me very sane.
Yes I'll miss my friends, I'll miss the fantastic library, the wondrous facilities, the professors (a few only), but we can't wait to graduate. Life kinda sucks here.
Another view: No it doesn't. "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Is marriage becoming obsolete?
With statistics staring in your face and divorces happening left right and centre, is marriage becoming obsolete? I don't think so, though I would argue that marriage has changed, or indeed, expanded, in its form.
1. A "powerful" woman
An educated woman upsets the traditional balance of power in marriage through history. In fact, strangely, most divorces are called for by women (forget about those TV dramas of old when the man shouts "I divorce you!"). Both have equal rights. If they don't see eye to eye, either side has to give in, and it cannot be the same side all the time. This makes marriage a little more tricky. This is wonderful because marriage could become a union of equals. A smart man has an equal companion to talk to. It just means that men have to start listening, empathising, compromising. That is what the woman initially fell for anyway (haha, I got you, in case you were making excuses). Of course, the cute thing is, women like men to listen to what they have got to say, and afterwards, men can still successfully convince women that their course of action is better.
Women just like men listening.
2. Money
It's all about the money, baby. Forget the song "Price Tag". It's not about the money when it's dating, but marriage is a different game altogether. Statistics are clever liars (ask any statisticians), but it is quite evident that people are divorcing because of money. Talk about money before getting married. If one side is for having separate accounts, private investments, on how the house will be split should it be sold, by all means, do that. If couples cannot see eye to eye with money matters, the marriage is not bound to last (unless the woman is uneducated). Monthly expenditures and financial autonomy should be discussed, and respected. After all, you've been with the person for a while, and you have accepted the person for who he/she is. Marriage is not about dominating the other party; it's about giving the person more space, and reason, to love you.
3. Facebook (etc.)
I just had to say this. According to C. Seow, Facebook has increased divorce rates because people could connect so easily with their ex-gf/bf. It always starts harmless, with "Hi, I've gotten a boyfriend. How are you doing?" If the person happens to be down and the current boyfriend/girlfriend isn't around, while the ex is, taddah, you know the rest.
If you are unable to convince your partner to unfriend, block, and never contact the person again, or even if you do convince your partner, please please please tell your partner to be open with you about anyone that tugs his/her heart, and reassure the person that you would not blow up at the sound of it. Maintenance of open communication is crucial. That's what C.Seow has told me.
4. Living apart - travelling/business trips etc
Avoid this if possible. If not, talk about it. Talk a lot about it. One is unable to spend quality time together, or perform acts of services, or maintain physical contact (love is a hormone thing, you know) when living apart. Unless both are workaholics, it's not good to live apart. C. Seow asserts that absence makes the heart grow colder. If someone else pops out in times of crisis, taddah, you know the rest.
Cheating is not impossible, so if you both can live with it, then all's well. You can still love each other while being apart.
5. Lifestyles
We all know that with globalisation, anything goes. This is an interesting phenomenon.
Singaporeans:
C.H. Szeto himself as an Austrian (Football and anti-Asian). David Tan's a British (BBC). Siti Hazariah sometimes sees herself as an Indian/Kashmiri. Z. Chen sees herself as an Delhi-ite sometimes. S. Seah sees himself as a German sometimes.
These people obviously have different lifestyles from a typical Singaporean. In fact, there is no way to define a Singaporean; Singapore's a port-city full of migrants (my grandparents were migrants). What do I do if I marry a Singaporean, or actually, just anyone? Live with it. My dear roommate used to keep her underwears after wearing them and washing them all together. She placed her 27 underwears on my bed to air. She opens her drawers and sweeps the entire table clean into her drawer. If this happens with your mate, laugh about it. There's really nothing you can do. Do not attempt to impose changes. Emails (or indeed Facebook messages with photos) could work to remind.
5. Children
I'll fill this up some day. Basically children growing up in different societies has different demands. When I asked my parents how did babies come about, they just said, "Don't ask; you'll know when you're older." My friend who studied in an international school would not accept that, and persisted her question (and her parents were more conservative than mine). That goes to show how difficult it is to rear children.
Of course, in Singapore, children plays the piano, dances ballet, counts arithmetic, at age 3. It's a bit ridiculous, but "it is good for them (the children)." In less-developed countries, children grow as they grow. If they don't make it, it's no big deal. They can be a farmer or a businessman.
Here's to those getting married: best of luck, and remember: your woman is always right (let her win in arguments, and you can implement your ideas. That's how it usually works.)
1. A "powerful" woman
An educated woman upsets the traditional balance of power in marriage through history. In fact, strangely, most divorces are called for by women (forget about those TV dramas of old when the man shouts "I divorce you!"). Both have equal rights. If they don't see eye to eye, either side has to give in, and it cannot be the same side all the time. This makes marriage a little more tricky. This is wonderful because marriage could become a union of equals. A smart man has an equal companion to talk to. It just means that men have to start listening, empathising, compromising. That is what the woman initially fell for anyway (haha, I got you, in case you were making excuses). Of course, the cute thing is, women like men to listen to what they have got to say, and afterwards, men can still successfully convince women that their course of action is better.
Women just like men listening.
2. Money
It's all about the money, baby. Forget the song "Price Tag". It's not about the money when it's dating, but marriage is a different game altogether. Statistics are clever liars (ask any statisticians), but it is quite evident that people are divorcing because of money. Talk about money before getting married. If one side is for having separate accounts, private investments, on how the house will be split should it be sold, by all means, do that. If couples cannot see eye to eye with money matters, the marriage is not bound to last (unless the woman is uneducated). Monthly expenditures and financial autonomy should be discussed, and respected. After all, you've been with the person for a while, and you have accepted the person for who he/she is. Marriage is not about dominating the other party; it's about giving the person more space, and reason, to love you.
3. Facebook (etc.)
I just had to say this. According to C. Seow, Facebook has increased divorce rates because people could connect so easily with their ex-gf/bf. It always starts harmless, with "Hi, I've gotten a boyfriend. How are you doing?" If the person happens to be down and the current boyfriend/girlfriend isn't around, while the ex is, taddah, you know the rest.
If you are unable to convince your partner to unfriend, block, and never contact the person again, or even if you do convince your partner, please please please tell your partner to be open with you about anyone that tugs his/her heart, and reassure the person that you would not blow up at the sound of it. Maintenance of open communication is crucial. That's what C.Seow has told me.
4. Living apart - travelling/business trips etc
Avoid this if possible. If not, talk about it. Talk a lot about it. One is unable to spend quality time together, or perform acts of services, or maintain physical contact (love is a hormone thing, you know) when living apart. Unless both are workaholics, it's not good to live apart. C. Seow asserts that absence makes the heart grow colder. If someone else pops out in times of crisis, taddah, you know the rest.
Cheating is not impossible, so if you both can live with it, then all's well. You can still love each other while being apart.
5. Lifestyles
We all know that with globalisation, anything goes. This is an interesting phenomenon.
Singaporeans:
C.H. Szeto himself as an Austrian (Football and anti-Asian). David Tan's a British (BBC). Siti Hazariah sometimes sees herself as an Indian/Kashmiri. Z. Chen sees herself as an Delhi-ite sometimes. S. Seah sees himself as a German sometimes.
These people obviously have different lifestyles from a typical Singaporean. In fact, there is no way to define a Singaporean; Singapore's a port-city full of migrants (my grandparents were migrants). What do I do if I marry a Singaporean, or actually, just anyone? Live with it. My dear roommate used to keep her underwears after wearing them and washing them all together. She placed her 27 underwears on my bed to air. She opens her drawers and sweeps the entire table clean into her drawer. If this happens with your mate, laugh about it. There's really nothing you can do. Do not attempt to impose changes. Emails (or indeed Facebook messages with photos) could work to remind.
5. Children
I'll fill this up some day. Basically children growing up in different societies has different demands. When I asked my parents how did babies come about, they just said, "Don't ask; you'll know when you're older." My friend who studied in an international school would not accept that, and persisted her question (and her parents were more conservative than mine). That goes to show how difficult it is to rear children.
Of course, in Singapore, children plays the piano, dances ballet, counts arithmetic, at age 3. It's a bit ridiculous, but "it is good for them (the children)." In less-developed countries, children grow as they grow. If they don't make it, it's no big deal. They can be a farmer or a businessman.
Here's to those getting married: best of luck, and remember: your woman is always right (let her win in arguments, and you can implement your ideas. That's how it usually works.)
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
The Influence of Facebook on Relationships and Social Pressure
It puzzles me when people declare their relationship status on Facebook. It's all well for the declaration of love to the entire world, but if anything untoward happens in the relationship, the whole world would know too. I'm not here to discuss whether you should or should not do that. I'm discussing how Facebook has changed the psyche of love.
"I'm in a relationship with X."
Immediately, close friends would come to know a new friend. Speaking of which, should a person declare on Facebook first, or tell her best friends first?
"I'm single."
Alright. Is that a happy declaration, when people should say CONGRATULATIONS!!! YOU GOT RID OF THAT JERK!!! :D or should people say I'm really sorry to hear about that... ?
"I'm engaged."
This is by far the worst I've seen (or so I suppose). My friend declared this and wrote a big blog post on it. I saw it in May. It was an April Fool's joke.
So here's another friend of mine who posted engagement photographs. It's really amazing how I suddenly feel, "gahh, here's social pressure mocking at those who had been dating a long time." Having said that, I can't imagine my man popping that question. All's wonderful in love, but marriage is a different thing, is it? At the very least, it's legal, and it's more often unhappy. Of course, there are a few who claim they have a loving marriage. These are far and few, and they don't come by because they found their soul mate. They work hard, I mean, very very hard, to stay together.
All's well if the purpose of that marriage is to make babies. Women seem to have this maternal instinct to care for little cuties in life. Perhaps I would very much prefer taking care of babies than living with someone permanently, especially since the backdoor of divorce is now open. In the past, marriage had to work.
All's well. Divorces are good if the man's a wife-beating drunkard gambler or lazy bum. Should people part because of personality clashes? Or mistakes made by either party, either in finances or fidelity? Of course, trust, once broken, is considered sold.
Speaking of babies. They are also the make or break elements in relationships. If the parents fall out, they suffer. And they aren't easy to care for, especially since offsprings HAVE TO BE smart, and if they're not, the parents are responsible.
How about "I'm married to X."
Some trivialise Facebook in that they can be married to different people every week, and whom they are married to are good friends. It is very often a lesbian-relationship because girls like to declare they are married, no matter to whom.
The transition from engaged to married isn't huge. It's a definite CONGRATULATIONS!!! and we're all expecting it. Then again, we really don't know if it's a congratulations, do we? Love is like a dream; marriage is the alarm clock.
No offense to those who are married. I might be there, someday, if a black-swan event occurs and the man pops the question. I, for heaven's sake, wouldn't know how to react, especially if I haven't made up my mind. It's all a leap of faith. God bless that one doesn't fall into the deep abyss. Divorces are painful. I can totally imagine it. The man whom you knew with all your heart, the most wonderful man on Earth, could do so much to hurt you. That's a horrid idea, and it self-destructs.
Now, Facebook does not censor publications of status. My best friend's ex-boyfriend is my friend's boyfriend now. It's all too much to bear. The worst thing's the wall. Anyone can write: I hate you. Cursed be your woman. @the woman: he cheats; beware.
And that finishes it all off.
"I'm in a relationship with X."
Immediately, close friends would come to know a new friend. Speaking of which, should a person declare on Facebook first, or tell her best friends first?
"I'm single."
Alright. Is that a happy declaration, when people should say CONGRATULATIONS!!! YOU GOT RID OF THAT JERK!!! :D or should people say I'm really sorry to hear about that... ?
"I'm engaged."
This is by far the worst I've seen (or so I suppose). My friend declared this and wrote a big blog post on it. I saw it in May. It was an April Fool's joke.
So here's another friend of mine who posted engagement photographs. It's really amazing how I suddenly feel, "gahh, here's social pressure mocking at those who had been dating a long time." Having said that, I can't imagine my man popping that question. All's wonderful in love, but marriage is a different thing, is it? At the very least, it's legal, and it's more often unhappy. Of course, there are a few who claim they have a loving marriage. These are far and few, and they don't come by because they found their soul mate. They work hard, I mean, very very hard, to stay together.
All's well if the purpose of that marriage is to make babies. Women seem to have this maternal instinct to care for little cuties in life. Perhaps I would very much prefer taking care of babies than living with someone permanently, especially since the backdoor of divorce is now open. In the past, marriage had to work.
All's well. Divorces are good if the man's a wife-beating drunkard gambler or lazy bum. Should people part because of personality clashes? Or mistakes made by either party, either in finances or fidelity? Of course, trust, once broken, is considered sold.
Speaking of babies. They are also the make or break elements in relationships. If the parents fall out, they suffer. And they aren't easy to care for, especially since offsprings HAVE TO BE smart, and if they're not, the parents are responsible.
How about "I'm married to X."
Some trivialise Facebook in that they can be married to different people every week, and whom they are married to are good friends. It is very often a lesbian-relationship because girls like to declare they are married, no matter to whom.
The transition from engaged to married isn't huge. It's a definite CONGRATULATIONS!!! and we're all expecting it. Then again, we really don't know if it's a congratulations, do we? Love is like a dream; marriage is the alarm clock.
No offense to those who are married. I might be there, someday, if a black-swan event occurs and the man pops the question. I, for heaven's sake, wouldn't know how to react, especially if I haven't made up my mind. It's all a leap of faith. God bless that one doesn't fall into the deep abyss. Divorces are painful. I can totally imagine it. The man whom you knew with all your heart, the most wonderful man on Earth, could do so much to hurt you. That's a horrid idea, and it self-destructs.
Now, Facebook does not censor publications of status. My best friend's ex-boyfriend is my friend's boyfriend now. It's all too much to bear. The worst thing's the wall. Anyone can write: I hate you. Cursed be your woman. @the woman: he cheats; beware.
And that finishes it all off.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
How to make friends?
This post gives a quick overview of winning friends.
First, don't think you're very big. No one likes to talk to people high up there, real or imagined. That means, whether you are a boss or a highly-talented person doesn't matter. Everyone is on equal ground.
1. Be humble and approachable
2. Smile
3. Few golden words are better than spamming of words if you need to impress
4. Be interested. Look interested. The latter's as important as the former.
5. Ask questions:
- what are you doing?
- how was your name inspired (for interesting names)?
- what do you do at work?
- what do you think about __(current affairs)__ ?
- what do you do during your free time (more personal, to be asked when relationship transits from work to personal)?
Quote whatever perception you have had, "I've heard that ________. Is this true?" This will create a dialogue.
If the person asks a question, answer, but not in a long-winded manner. Brevity is an important skill.
First, don't think you're very big. No one likes to talk to people high up there, real or imagined. That means, whether you are a boss or a highly-talented person doesn't matter. Everyone is on equal ground.
1. Be humble and approachable
2. Smile
3. Few golden words are better than spamming of words if you need to impress
4. Be interested. Look interested. The latter's as important as the former.
5. Ask questions:
- what are you doing?
- how was your name inspired (for interesting names)?
- what do you do at work?
- what do you think about __(current affairs)__ ?
- what do you do during your free time (more personal, to be asked when relationship transits from work to personal)?
Quote whatever perception you have had, "I've heard that ________. Is this true?" This will create a dialogue.
If the person asks a question, answer, but not in a long-winded manner. Brevity is an important skill.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Why do I have no friends?
The straightforward answer is that you are disagreeable, vile, arrogant, etc. You either think too highly of yourself, or too lowly of others.
But what if you are a generally nice person? This post is dedicated to people who have friendships with high turnover rates.
High turnover rates could mean any of the following:
1. Easily bored - you don't like spending too much effort on knowing a person. You like to meet new people. The more, the merrier.
2. In the wrong world - the people around you seem to be doing something you are not interested in. There's nothing wrong with varied interest; look around at the right places.
eg. I used to talk (and still do) about what I learn in class. Unfortunately, the people in my class were not interested in talking about such serious matters unless circumstances necessitate it. Of course, I tried to talk like them, but I do feel really happy when I finally find a person who is comfortable discussing such matters over coffee.
3. Something very wrong - perhaps you think you are wonderful, but there are certain aspects of you that people could not see eye to eye with. Approach a close friend to verify that.
4. Loner - Self-professed loners would not be reading this. Those who feel that hanging out with friends means meeting the social norm, but secretly love to have their own space, will feel inadequate.
5. No money - Maintenance of friends require finances. Eating out, movies, travelling or just doing anything requires money. It's ok.
6. No time - While some cannot spare the money, some cannot spare the time. In a day and age where all of us work non-stop, where do we find time to catch up? Especially if the person never meant anything to you, nor you to him/her. Who would sacrifice and pay the opportunity cost to make one new friend?
7. Shyness - This is often hard to get over. Shyness is a reluctance to participate for fear of societal judgment. If you can't say, emails are good.
8. You're not worth the time - While point 3 is about you not knowing how to carry yourself, this point is about how you are just fluff and bluff. Find something you can offer to people - care, concern, listening ear etc.
But what if you are a generally nice person? This post is dedicated to people who have friendships with high turnover rates.
High turnover rates could mean any of the following:
1. Easily bored - you don't like spending too much effort on knowing a person. You like to meet new people. The more, the merrier.
2. In the wrong world - the people around you seem to be doing something you are not interested in. There's nothing wrong with varied interest; look around at the right places.
eg. I used to talk (and still do) about what I learn in class. Unfortunately, the people in my class were not interested in talking about such serious matters unless circumstances necessitate it. Of course, I tried to talk like them, but I do feel really happy when I finally find a person who is comfortable discussing such matters over coffee.
3. Something very wrong - perhaps you think you are wonderful, but there are certain aspects of you that people could not see eye to eye with. Approach a close friend to verify that.
4. Loner - Self-professed loners would not be reading this. Those who feel that hanging out with friends means meeting the social norm, but secretly love to have their own space, will feel inadequate.
5. No money - Maintenance of friends require finances. Eating out, movies, travelling or just doing anything requires money. It's ok.
6. No time - While some cannot spare the money, some cannot spare the time. In a day and age where all of us work non-stop, where do we find time to catch up? Especially if the person never meant anything to you, nor you to him/her. Who would sacrifice and pay the opportunity cost to make one new friend?
7. Shyness - This is often hard to get over. Shyness is a reluctance to participate for fear of societal judgment. If you can't say, emails are good.
8. You're not worth the time - While point 3 is about you not knowing how to carry yourself, this point is about how you are just fluff and bluff. Find something you can offer to people - care, concern, listening ear etc.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
A/P Malcolm H. Murfett
He is one of the finest professors I could ever imagine. He's my History professor, hailing from UK, and has been and is currently teaching in NUS.
He brings History to life, right before your eyes. When I attend class, it is almost as if I'm seeing the events right before my eyes. He ejects his opinions and feelings into characters and events after going through the facts, and analyses. It is as emotive and real as it gets. I sense the grandeur of Napoleon I, the shrewdness and brilliance of Otto von Bismarck, the dedication of Clement Attlee, the incredulity of Scharnhorst and Geisennau escaping right before the Allies' eyes without getting bombed. I sense the disgust yet maligned persona of Louis Napoleon, the devastation of London after bombing, the sternness of Stalin, the happiness from the 1980s revolution behind the Iron Curtain, the agony of DDR sportsmen having to consume vast amount of drugs to compete in sports... One of my classmates comments: "I don't know what I am supposed to write in class. He teaches so well it feels like I'm listening to a story, totally drawn. At the end of the day, I don't write enough notes."
He writes an essay for every single lecture he gives. Which lecturer, exactly which, would give their own write-ups/essays as readings?! I have seen umpteenth lecturers pointing you to the library, Reserve Book Room, to train you up by photocopying the relevant materials. I have seen lecturers requesting one to buy textbooks, some written by themselves (this is fantastic), most written by others. Is that sufficient? Oh no, as a History student, you are required to read widely. He gives you a list of books and does not tell you which pages are relevant. As a History student, you need to develop the research skills.
And we know about his debates which costs 20%, intending to train us to be defenders of our own thoughts and opinions. His MCQs, Murfett's Killer MCQs, are there to tease your ignorance and sloth. And we know there is no "warm body component", his favourite term, which suggests that students have to speak up in class or they get no marks for attendance. And students have to write on Forums.
Sounds ludicrous? I feel that all these make so much more sense than those endless tests and papers. So what if we write. It is not as if Murfett gets a new revelation of something new in those research papers. If university requires me to learn research skills, there are plenty of opportunities in all classes. His class is Oxbridge standard.
He's very fair. You put in the effort, you get the marks. He's not out to fail students. Despite hints, some students still don't do well (because they are inconsistently hardworking, or consistently lazy). He's a good Roman Catholic who has strong moral values. The most remarkable thing is that he doesn't teach History just for academia's sake. Of course, students learn. But students learn moral values from these History lessons.
"Do not dehumanize History." That sounds wrong to many academics, but that is highly relevant to students of History. Characters deal with events yes, but Luck provides events. The weather, illness, natural disasters all play a significant role in History, sometimes in an imponderable manner. "Imponderable but not Inevitable", one of his books, is a fantastic read.
He believes in students. He comes from a humble background, and he inspires me because I come from a less-privileged background (as compared to my peers in NUS). He treat students as humans, as learners, not as subjects, or numbers. He remembers names (so don't skip his classes, cuz they are fantastic to begin with).
He inspired me to continue reading History. Grandmaster Shawn Seah said he is a good man. And he is.
The most important thing I have learned: We all assume others are always in top-form. Truth is, humans are never always in top-form, for all kinds of reasons. These figures you are reading are still humans. Who cares they are from the 18th century? They face the same problems like we do. Who can make sound decisions when they are ill or in pain? Who can predict events that follow?
Here's to an orator like Churchill, a leader like Attlee, a figure of inspiration like Napoleon I.
-He ran into my boyfriend and I at the lift, and he introduced himself to my boy, asked for his name, and shook his hand!
-He didn't see me for a good three months during summer holidays, but greeted me at the door of his class.
-I'm often in a daze in classes because of troubling stuff. He would always catch me. "Are you okay?" He smiles. Oops.
-He knew I messed up one of his exams in a terrible manner (because I wanted so badly to do well) but instead of thinking I'm darn useless, he didn't look down on me, and instead reminded all his classes to "choose your question carefully!" And I have missed his extra classes before (shrugs). It was a relief he wasn't angry or I would have been very stressed.
He brings History to life, right before your eyes. When I attend class, it is almost as if I'm seeing the events right before my eyes. He ejects his opinions and feelings into characters and events after going through the facts, and analyses. It is as emotive and real as it gets. I sense the grandeur of Napoleon I, the shrewdness and brilliance of Otto von Bismarck, the dedication of Clement Attlee, the incredulity of Scharnhorst and Geisennau escaping right before the Allies' eyes without getting bombed. I sense the disgust yet maligned persona of Louis Napoleon, the devastation of London after bombing, the sternness of Stalin, the happiness from the 1980s revolution behind the Iron Curtain, the agony of DDR sportsmen having to consume vast amount of drugs to compete in sports... One of my classmates comments: "I don't know what I am supposed to write in class. He teaches so well it feels like I'm listening to a story, totally drawn. At the end of the day, I don't write enough notes."
He writes an essay for every single lecture he gives. Which lecturer, exactly which, would give their own write-ups/essays as readings?! I have seen umpteenth lecturers pointing you to the library, Reserve Book Room, to train you up by photocopying the relevant materials. I have seen lecturers requesting one to buy textbooks, some written by themselves (this is fantastic), most written by others. Is that sufficient? Oh no, as a History student, you are required to read widely. He gives you a list of books and does not tell you which pages are relevant. As a History student, you need to develop the research skills.
And we know about his debates which costs 20%, intending to train us to be defenders of our own thoughts and opinions. His MCQs, Murfett's Killer MCQs, are there to tease your ignorance and sloth. And we know there is no "warm body component", his favourite term, which suggests that students have to speak up in class or they get no marks for attendance. And students have to write on Forums.
Sounds ludicrous? I feel that all these make so much more sense than those endless tests and papers. So what if we write. It is not as if Murfett gets a new revelation of something new in those research papers. If university requires me to learn research skills, there are plenty of opportunities in all classes. His class is Oxbridge standard.
He's very fair. You put in the effort, you get the marks. He's not out to fail students. Despite hints, some students still don't do well (because they are inconsistently hardworking, or consistently lazy). He's a good Roman Catholic who has strong moral values. The most remarkable thing is that he doesn't teach History just for academia's sake. Of course, students learn. But students learn moral values from these History lessons.
"Do not dehumanize History." That sounds wrong to many academics, but that is highly relevant to students of History. Characters deal with events yes, but Luck provides events. The weather, illness, natural disasters all play a significant role in History, sometimes in an imponderable manner. "Imponderable but not Inevitable", one of his books, is a fantastic read.
He believes in students. He comes from a humble background, and he inspires me because I come from a less-privileged background (as compared to my peers in NUS). He treat students as humans, as learners, not as subjects, or numbers. He remembers names (so don't skip his classes, cuz they are fantastic to begin with).
He inspired me to continue reading History. Grandmaster Shawn Seah said he is a good man. And he is.
The most important thing I have learned: We all assume others are always in top-form. Truth is, humans are never always in top-form, for all kinds of reasons. These figures you are reading are still humans. Who cares they are from the 18th century? They face the same problems like we do. Who can make sound decisions when they are ill or in pain? Who can predict events that follow?
Here's to an orator like Churchill, a leader like Attlee, a figure of inspiration like Napoleon I.
-He ran into my boyfriend and I at the lift, and he introduced himself to my boy, asked for his name, and shook his hand!
-He didn't see me for a good three months during summer holidays, but greeted me at the door of his class.
-I'm often in a daze in classes because of troubling stuff. He would always catch me. "Are you okay?" He smiles. Oops.
-He knew I messed up one of his exams in a terrible manner (because I wanted so badly to do well) but instead of thinking I'm darn useless, he didn't look down on me, and instead reminded all his classes to "choose your question carefully!" And I have missed his extra classes before (shrugs). It was a relief he wasn't angry or I would have been very stressed.
The price to pay for beauty
As I was looking for inspiration to write, I discovered that after "how to be ... happy", the next search is "how to be... anorexic".
Actually, I personally think we live in an era where anorexia is cool. In fact, being slender, or toned, or busty, or anorexic, is considered desirable. One of the top 10 searches of Google 2010 is - how to lose weight. The fashion industry is getting a huge portion of ladies' income - anything from bags to clothes to jewellery to aesthetic surgeries.
It made me think about "opportunity costs".
All ladies want a perfect body, thanks to the mass media. Myself included. I was seriously thinking about being anorexia, and switching to a boiled veggies/fish diet with no carb. I probably won't die, but I won't function as well in class. There comes the big question - is it worth it?
Of course, keeping fit is well worth it to ensure performance in work, good health, and longevity. Quick solutions like slimming centres and cosmetic operations costs only money and proper maintenance. Then again, one should think twice whether these are truly necessary. To one, it might be a frivolous expenditure; to another, absolute necessity.
My braces was an absolute necessity. Anyone who knows me knows that I have a cheerful disposition, but before I had braces, I feared smiling, despite the fact that I actually feel happy most of the time. People told me I would never find a job with crooked teeth, and that I would scare bosses and boys away. That is a big deal. Having pleaded and denied of braces, I waited, and happily paid 1.5x more than what I might have paid in the past, just to do it private, and quick.
My point in this post is that - don't do anything because the society compels you to do it; do it only because you need it and it makes you happy.
Today is the day where I finally removed my braces, bleached my teeth, and did my first hair treatment
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Mughal Paintings
What has History got to do with Peacocks? Lots. As I search for the significance behind Peacocks to justify why the removal of the Peacock Throne was significant to the Burmese. It represents Krishna. It means wisdom. IT IS THE MUGHAL THRONE.
And Peacock Throne showed up, in Wikipedia. Remarkable.
Mughal paintings used to be my forte. Amongst them, this is one of my favourite - the Peafowl. I wrote a 8,000 word research paper on these paintings. The peafowl shown here is no larger than A5 (half an A4). The brush strokes are remarkable. Gentle, compared to the stiff brush strokes during Akbari reign. The golden colours are made by grinding gold into powder. The brush tip is no thicker than one strand of horses' hair. And only well-fed horses, specially bred for the brushes, are used. The blue is extracted from sapphires and sometimes deep-sea organisms ground or blended with chemicals. Of course you can't see it from here. Go to Cleveland Museum, you might see some. Most mughal paintings are spam-cheats. Look closely. Every strand of the peacock's feather's fuzz CAN BE SEEN. It sounds ridiculous but it's true. Painful effort.
The painters are brought to where the Mughal king hunts for leisure. He would then ask the painters to paint either the scenery or himself. If any does an unsatisfactory job, he's dismissed. Jahangiri paintings are the finest, in my opinion. They are easily distinguished by their beautiful borders. Not stiff, like Akbari. Not repetitive, like Shah Jahani. Just nicely done. The best of mughal miniatures.
Is it Ustad Mansur? He paints the most brilliant of naturalism.
Burma
"Hey girl! Come here!" My teacher signalled to me. "Are you from Myanmar?" He asked. That was in 2008 January. I was running a camp, running along the track rushing to somewhere.
Writing on Burma brings me lots of memories. As if I've been in Burma. As if I've always been living next to Burma. I've watched the Burmese Harp, a war film produced from the Japanese point of view of the Pacific War. I've heard the term, Shwae Daung. Is it Sanskrit? I don't know. I've even seen the script written in either Sanskrit or Tibetan. I live through those battles Burma had fought with Assam, Manipur and Nagaland. I've seen the Burmese monks clad in maroon robes. I've seen General Aung San fighting for independence, for the Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League (AFPFL).
I have, alas, studied at the school his daughter, Aung San Suu Kyi, studied in. Lady Shri Ram College.
I know of the Burmese Constitution in 1937 which finally separates Burma and India after a forced union by the British in 1885. They have always been apart. I know very well why Winston Churchill, the War Cabinet Prime Minister of Britain, produced that White Paper. I also know why Clement Attlee signed the pact with Aung San promising independence. The former's so aggressive and conservative, the latter reasonable and leftist. It feels like I've lived through World War II with Churchill putting up a front all day having to fight the Germans and win.
The Burmese temples. Have I seen them somewhere? Don't they look alike to the Hindu tower entrance, the circum-ambulation belt of each temple, the stones that last forever? The Burmese drinks tea, and make a big affair out of it. Of course, they are so near to Assam; they need to prove that their tea is better! The North Indians drink their tea in a small 60ml cup, the Southeast Asians drink tea in a very large mug 150ml. And the Burmese - just in between. A medium, 100ml. And I know how it tastes just by looking at it.
And I haven't forgotten the Karen, the Chin, Kachin, and Shan people. Neither have I forgotten the Arakanese.
The Peacock Throne seized in 1885 by the British rings a bell to me. I feel infuriated; why did they take away that blessed throne? Why did they trample through the Shwedagon Pagoda with their boots? Why did they disregard the monks? U Ottama fought peacefully for independence, got imprisoned, and continued fighting. YMBA fought too.
Yesterday, I picked up a book I couldn't believe. "Secret Histories: Finding George Orwell in a Burmese Tea Shop." George Orwell was their prophet. His three books - Burmese Days, Animal Farm, and Nineteen Eighty-Four - was scripted into reality in Burma. For a splitting second, I recounted him. Somehow, I want to go to where he had been. He was one of those fighting like we are fighting. His heart beats like one of us. He died immersed in love for Burma.
I'm there in my dreams, I forget I'm a visitor, dressing, talking, eating like them, worshiping in the temple like them. I remember passing by that Stupa. I remember eating the thukpa with them. I remember their faces so vividly. I've seen the women in the fields planting rice, the buffaloes ploughing, the children playing.
Free Burma. Free Nagaland. Free Tibet.
Writing on Burma brings me lots of memories. As if I've been in Burma. As if I've always been living next to Burma. I've watched the Burmese Harp, a war film produced from the Japanese point of view of the Pacific War. I've heard the term, Shwae Daung. Is it Sanskrit? I don't know. I've even seen the script written in either Sanskrit or Tibetan. I live through those battles Burma had fought with Assam, Manipur and Nagaland. I've seen the Burmese monks clad in maroon robes. I've seen General Aung San fighting for independence, for the Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League (AFPFL).
I have, alas, studied at the school his daughter, Aung San Suu Kyi, studied in. Lady Shri Ram College.
I know of the Burmese Constitution in 1937 which finally separates Burma and India after a forced union by the British in 1885. They have always been apart. I know very well why Winston Churchill, the War Cabinet Prime Minister of Britain, produced that White Paper. I also know why Clement Attlee signed the pact with Aung San promising independence. The former's so aggressive and conservative, the latter reasonable and leftist. It feels like I've lived through World War II with Churchill putting up a front all day having to fight the Germans and win.
The Burmese temples. Have I seen them somewhere? Don't they look alike to the Hindu tower entrance, the circum-ambulation belt of each temple, the stones that last forever? The Burmese drinks tea, and make a big affair out of it. Of course, they are so near to Assam; they need to prove that their tea is better! The North Indians drink their tea in a small 60ml cup, the Southeast Asians drink tea in a very large mug 150ml. And the Burmese - just in between. A medium, 100ml. And I know how it tastes just by looking at it.
And I haven't forgotten the Karen, the Chin, Kachin, and Shan people. Neither have I forgotten the Arakanese.
The Peacock Throne seized in 1885 by the British rings a bell to me. I feel infuriated; why did they take away that blessed throne? Why did they trample through the Shwedagon Pagoda with their boots? Why did they disregard the monks? U Ottama fought peacefully for independence, got imprisoned, and continued fighting. YMBA fought too.
Yesterday, I picked up a book I couldn't believe. "Secret Histories: Finding George Orwell in a Burmese Tea Shop." George Orwell was their prophet. His three books - Burmese Days, Animal Farm, and Nineteen Eighty-Four - was scripted into reality in Burma. For a splitting second, I recounted him. Somehow, I want to go to where he had been. He was one of those fighting like we are fighting. His heart beats like one of us. He died immersed in love for Burma.
I'm there in my dreams, I forget I'm a visitor, dressing, talking, eating like them, worshiping in the temple like them. I remember passing by that Stupa. I remember eating the thukpa with them. I remember their faces so vividly. I've seen the women in the fields planting rice, the buffaloes ploughing, the children playing.
Free Burma. Free Nagaland. Free Tibet.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
She was my teacher: a tribute to Mrs Ann Chia
This was my primary school teacher, Mrs Ann Chia (with her husband).
Today, I got a Facebook private message written to me from my junior Xiaowen from JJC (who happened to be in my CCA and Primary school). She said she wanted my number. Told me to sms her.
Here's what she replied to my sms:
"Hmm, ytd I msged mrs chia [our fond primary school teacher] to wish her teachers' day, den some1 replied to say dat she has passed away 3 months ago, den he/she asked if i want to go to her church to look at mrs chia's photos.. Hmm, so I tot of asking if u wanna go."
Mrs Ann Chia. If there is a single school teacher who made the largest change in my life, it's her. And she transformed many lives. Many, many, many.
When I was 12 years old, she was around 50 years old. She was formidable, scary, stern. Seniors who were taught by her always say, "You'll love her only when you leave the school." That's most true. We later realised she scolds because she cares. And I visited her once, in Sec 1. In Sec 2, I found out she had quit to become a pastor in a church.
After that sms, I googled her name. "Ann Chia" church Singapore. I found that she indeed is a pastor at Emmanuel Christian Church, on Facebook. The weekly sermon stopped in March. There weren't any photographs of hers on that page. After many tries, I found her husband's page, and when I saw his profile picture, I slipped into a daze for a while.
Even my parents know, she was perhaps the most significant teacher of my life. I owe a lot of my success to her. She was also the reason I hit off well with Xiaowen.
Life's so fragile, I'm a little scared to lose my loved ones.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)