1. Annually, we need young men in Singapore to do national service. Why do you think national service is compulsory in Singapore and why is this important.
I think that it teaches the young a sense of responsibility and duty. Also, it provides manpower for meeting minimum military force requirements. It provides training to civilians, which serves as a well-prepared military force in times of war or emergency. It is important as it emphasize a sense of belonging to the Singapore and induce national loyalty in the soldiers. National Service is important as it helps to create a bond between people of different races. It is there where people learn to appreciate the differences of different religion and culture. This shows us that national service not only help us bond with different races and make friends, it also give Singaporeans a sense of patriotism and pride of our country.
2. In the above poem, the speaker expresses his love for the country, England. Do you have the same spirit of patriotism towards Singapore? Why?Do you find this same spirit of patriotism in Singapore.
Hmm... this is a little hard to answer. Although I cherish Singapore a lot as it is the place where I am born and where my family is, I am not so extreme to sacrifice myself like the author in war, who is willing to give his all and die for his country. I will only do it when it is really necessary. I will go to war if I am forced and will fight my best, however I may not have the same spirit of patriotism as the author.
In Singapore, not many have a sense of patriotism. However, if there is a war, which involved Singapore, people in Singapore may have a sense of patriotism as it is said that the worst usually bring out the best in people.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
Percy Jackson And The Last Olympian
In the " Percy Jackson and The Last Olympian, Percy Jackson, the main character for this book, and his friends are fighting in a war that resembles the Greek Gods and the Titans. Prometheus notes during a parley between him and Percy that the battle for Manhattan is like the Battle of Troy, except that now Olympus is Troy.
The book started off with Percy and Beckendorf blowing Princess Andromeda, a ship that Kronos the leader of titans was on, with the cost of Beckendorf's life. Percy flees into his father, Poseidon's place under the sea. From there, he returned to Camp Half-blood, where other demi-gods lived in.
Soon after returning, he left wit Nico, the son of Hades, to find out how he could defeat Luke, the host of Kronos when the time comes (according to the prophecy). After visiting Luke's mother and talking with Hestia, Percy recieved a blessing from his mother, descends into the Underworld for the second time, and bathes in the River Styx like Achilles and Luke, who was then able to host Kronos, before him. He left Nico to convince Hades to take part in the war and return to the human world.
Percy then organizes the demigod campers (excluding the Ares cabin), and prepares for a battle for their's and the humans' life. Before the war starts, New York City is silenced by way of a powerful sleeping spell by Morpheus, god of dreams. Despite having reinforcement from the Hunters of Artemis, satyrs, naiads, dryads, and other tree nymphs, Chiron's centaur cousins the Party Ponies, automatons fashioned by the late Daedalus, and the hellhound Mrs. O'Leary, they were still outnumbered by the forces of evil. However, kronos too, was not without losses, his brother, Hyperion, was defeated by Percy and was encased into a big maple tree.
Rachel, a mortal who can see through the Mist, flies from a family vacation to New York City (and strangely does not fall asleep) to tell Percy that he is not the hero of the Great Prophecy, and that it will influence his choice when he turns 16.
Driven back by the sheer forces to the blocks surrounding the Empire State building, Percy and his friends fight in a last stand to protect Mount Olympus, where the seats of the Gods were, from the massive army where Kronos has amassed. Even when Hades arrives with his undead army, Kronos still manages to break through and enter Olympus, seeking the seats of the Gods to destroy it.
Percy and Kronos battle in the throne room of Olympus, Luke was shocked back when he remembers his promise of family to Annabeth as he sent her flying across the throne room. As Luke got control of his body back from Kronos, he hope that Percy would pass him the dagger and Luke would commit suicide along with Kronos. This cause Percy to be in a dilemma as Luke may use this opportunity to attack Percy when he is unarmed. Anyway, after being convinced by Annabeth, he passed the dagger to Luke who then stab at the mortal point, which resulted in death. This ended the war and made Percy realized that Luke was the hero in the great prophecy. With Posiedon ambushing Typhon at the Hudson River, the Olympians manage to send the demon down to Tartarus.
In the throne room, Percy, Grover, Annabeth, Thalia, and Tyson were rewarded by the Gods for the help that the Gods received. Percy was given godhood by apparently he refused. He forces the gods to swear on the River Styx that they will recognize all of their children by the time they turn 13. At camp, new cabins are built for every gods.
Friday, July 1, 2011
The Devil's Teeth by Susan Casey
Like most obsessions in life, the author, Susan Casey's interest starting when she was watching the video documentary on BBC and was riveted by the sight of two men, Peter who is a famous ornithologist and Scot Anderson, sitting in a tiny boat surrounded by enormous great white shark at least 18 feet in length. She was shocked how the two scientist could thrive in such dangerous situation, thus igniting her interest in sharks. A few months later after watching the documentary, she found herself in the same situation as Peter and Scot in Southeast Farallon Island. These islands, originally dubbed "The Devil's Teeth" by sailors in the 1850s due to their dangerous and forbidding nature. This place also gave the book, " The Devil's Teeth its name.
Even though Farallon Island is only 27 miles from the main island, San Francisco, it is nearly impossible to be accessible to humans, and is a popular place for great white sharks to gather in the month of September and October. As a result, the wild Great White Sharks of the Farallons are among most studied great white sharks in the world. In some parts of the book, Susan Casey touches the on the history of seabird, whale and seal over-exploitation, politics, greed and human habitation. Although the author did not have many first hand experience on sharks, she has many second hand experience of the great white shark.
This book was written mainly to educate the public on the great white sharks. There were descriptions of the sharks, such as whiteslash, who was describe as maternal and gentle. Despite the ferocious looks on their faces, these amazing fishes are elegant and graceful in the water. The book tells us about Susan pursuing her desire to learn more about the great white shark from biologist from the island, Farallon.
The Devil's Teeth by Susan Casey
Like most obsessions in life, the author, Susan Casey's interest starting when she was watching the video documentary on BBC and was riveted by the sight of two men, Peter who is a famous ornithologist and Scot Anderson, sitting in a tiny boat surrounded by enormous great white shark at least 18 feet in length. She was shocked how the two scientist could thrive in such dangerous situation, thus igniting her interest in sharks. A few months later after watching the documentary, she found herself in the same situation as Peter and Scot in Southeast Farallon Island. These islands, originally dubbed "The Devil's Teeth" by sailors in the 1850s due to their dangerous and forbidding nature. This place also gave the book, " The Devil's Teeth its name.
Even though Farallon Island is only 27 miles from the main island, San Francisco, it is nearly impossible to be accessible to humans, and is a popular place for great white sharks to gather in the month of September and October. As a result, the wild Great White Sharks of the Farallons are among most studied great white sharks in the world. In some parts of the book, Susan Casey touches the on the history of seabird, whale and seal over-exploitation, politics, greed and human habitation. Although the author did not have many first hand experience on sharks, she has many second hand experience of the great white shark.
This book was written mainly to educate the public on the great white sharks. There were descriptions of the sharks, such as whiteslash, who was describe as maternal and gentle. Despite the ferocious looks on their faces, these amazing fishes are elegant and graceful in the water. The book tells us about Susan pursuing her desire to learn more about the great white shark from biologist from the island, Farallon.
Even though Farallon Island is only 27 miles from the main island, San Francisco, it is nearly impossible to be accessible to humans, and is a popular place for great white sharks to gather in the month of September and October. As a result, the wild Great White Sharks of the Farallons are among most studied great white sharks in the world. In some parts of the book, Susan Casey touches the on the history of seabird, whale and seal over-exploitation, politics, greed and human habitation. Although the author did not have many first hand experience on sharks, she has many second hand experience of the great white shark.
This book was written mainly to educate the public on the great white sharks. There were descriptions of the sharks, such as whiteslash, who was describe as maternal and gentle. Despite the ferocious looks on their faces, these amazing fishes are elegant and graceful in the water. The book tells us about Susan pursuing her desire to learn more about the great white shark from biologist from the island, Farallon.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Rainbow Death ( Task 2 )
Point of view
The point of view maybe the view of an outsider looking at the Vietnam War, which include the USA, China, North and South of Vietnam. He may wrote the poem after viewing the effects of Agent Orange, a chemical, used in the war and what devastating effects that it caused. It seem to be mocking at the mess/problems that the USA caused, from "America did not foresee" and "Green, pink, purple and other colors death potpourri!". He is also reprimanding the USA for the lives that it caused and them regretting what they had done, "Now thinking twice?" and "Toll on the innocent and unborn"
Situation and Setting
The poem is most like set after the war or at the climax of the war, where many people have died by the effects of Agent Orange. This can be sen from, "reflective about all the illness, birth defects and prematurely dead" which tells readers the aftermath of the war or during the war at the point where many have died.
Language and Meaning
The tone of the language is very emotional, telling readers how the author feel after the war. From what I can see, I feel that he is very unhappy and angry by the fact that the USA's inconsiderate actions had resulted in dire consequences, which killing many of innocent people, disability and birth defects as seen from "Generations untold WILL pay". The underlying message is to tell us that war is a evil and must be prevented as it will result in long term effects and dire consequences.
Personal Response
I feel that this poem is very unusual as the poet did not describe a war scene but was still able to tell readers how brutal and wicked the war is and how it affected the its victims. Although the USA had regretted their actions, but they cannot cry over spilled milk as the damaged is already done and cannot reversed it
The point of view maybe the view of an outsider looking at the Vietnam War, which include the USA, China, North and South of Vietnam. He may wrote the poem after viewing the effects of Agent Orange, a chemical, used in the war and what devastating effects that it caused. It seem to be mocking at the mess/problems that the USA caused, from "America did not foresee" and "Green, pink, purple and other colors death potpourri!". He is also reprimanding the USA for the lives that it caused and them regretting what they had done, "Now thinking twice?" and "Toll on the innocent and unborn"
Situation and Setting
The poem is most like set after the war or at the climax of the war, where many people have died by the effects of Agent Orange. This can be sen from, "reflective about all the illness, birth defects and prematurely dead" which tells readers the aftermath of the war or during the war at the point where many have died.
Language and Meaning
The tone of the language is very emotional, telling readers how the author feel after the war. From what I can see, I feel that he is very unhappy and angry by the fact that the USA's inconsiderate actions had resulted in dire consequences, which killing many of innocent people, disability and birth defects as seen from "Generations untold WILL pay". The underlying message is to tell us that war is a evil and must be prevented as it will result in long term effects and dire consequences.
Personal Response
I feel that this poem is very unusual as the poet did not describe a war scene but was still able to tell readers how brutal and wicked the war is and how it affected the its victims. Although the USA had regretted their actions, but they cannot cry over spilled milk as the damaged is already done and cannot reversed it
Rainbow Death ( Task 1 )
Rainbow Death – Hubert Wilson
America did not foresee
Green, pink, purple and other colors death potpourri!
Expecting others to pay a high price.
Now thinking twice?
Toll on the innocent and unborn.
Omnipotent and disregarding who will mourn.
Reflective about all the illness, birth defects and prematurely dead.
All the deceit continues to spread!
Nefariously America was led astray -
Generations untold WILL pay -
Execrable effects of agent orange spray!
Background Information
This is a poem written by an American poet, Hubert Wilson, which describes how brutal the Vietnam War is.
The Vietnam War was a Civil War fought between North and South Vietnam or, between the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the State of Vietnam respectively. The USA sided the south, which was anti-communists, while China sided the north, which was a communist state.
US joined the war only after an alleged attack on the Gulf of Tonkin from the North. This 'attack' was extremely suspicious, and many historians believe this to be a ploy by the US to find a reason to attack the North. In this war, the US lost very badly, and had to retreat eventually.
The Vietnam war was a military conflict which lasted from November 1, 1955, to April 30, 1975. It started out as a conflict between different political ideologies but soon turned into a major war when the United States took part in the Vietnam War, in hopes of preventing the communist from taking over Vietnam.
During the Vietnam War, the U.S. military used Agent Orange, an herbicide as part of its herbicidal warfare, affecting lots of people and resulting in devastating aftermaths. Other than Agent Orange, the Rainbow Herbicides were used as well, which led the destruction of a plant-based ecosystem and plants which help the enemy to take cover.
During the war, more than 4.8 million people were exposed to Agent Orange. The chemical led to disability and birth defects. Also, it led to a number of deaths. It affected both the environment and the people.
America did not foresee
Green, pink, purple and other colors death potpourri!
Expecting others to pay a high price.
Now thinking twice?
Toll on the innocent and unborn.
Omnipotent and disregarding who will mourn.
Reflective about all the illness, birth defects and prematurely dead.
All the deceit continues to spread!
Nefariously America was led astray -
Generations untold WILL pay -
Execrable effects of agent orange spray!
Background Information
This is a poem written by an American poet, Hubert Wilson, which describes how brutal the Vietnam War is.
The Vietnam War was a Civil War fought between North and South Vietnam or, between the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the State of Vietnam respectively. The USA sided the south, which was anti-communists, while China sided the north, which was a communist state.
US joined the war only after an alleged attack on the Gulf of Tonkin from the North. This 'attack' was extremely suspicious, and many historians believe this to be a ploy by the US to find a reason to attack the North. In this war, the US lost very badly, and had to retreat eventually.
The Vietnam war was a military conflict which lasted from November 1, 1955, to April 30, 1975. It started out as a conflict between different political ideologies but soon turned into a major war when the United States took part in the Vietnam War, in hopes of preventing the communist from taking over Vietnam.
During the Vietnam War, the U.S. military used Agent Orange, an herbicide as part of its herbicidal warfare, affecting lots of people and resulting in devastating aftermaths. Other than Agent Orange, the Rainbow Herbicides were used as well, which led the destruction of a plant-based ecosystem and plants which help the enemy to take cover.
During the war, more than 4.8 million people were exposed to Agent Orange. The chemical led to disability and birth defects. Also, it led to a number of deaths. It affected both the environment and the people.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Your very own BANANA SPLIT !!!
1. Cut banana lengthwise down the middle.
2. Place banana in dish, leaving a gap in the middle.
3. Scoop two large scoops of ice cream(your choice) and place on the banana.
4. Over one scoop of ice cream pour chocolate sauce.
5. Over the other scoop of ice cream pour caramel sauce.
6. Cover scoops of ice cream with candy sprinkles.
7. Top with whipped cream and maraschino cherries.
8. Use a large spoon and Enjoy!
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