What would be required of a poet to be successful? It is the capturing of different emotions in different places at different timings. And this has been done by Billy Collins. In his poems, his own personal emotions are included so that readers understand it easier. Different settings are also introduced, besides just emotions. Combined, these two elements are the very things that make Billy Collins' poems so simple, so interesting, so different from others.
Born in New york City in 1941, Billy Collins is the author of several books of poetry, including Ballistics (2008), She Was Just Seventeen (2006), The Trouble with Poetry (2005); Nine Horses (2002); Sailing Alone Around the Room: New and Selected Poems (2001); Picnic, Lightning (1998); The Art of Drowning (1995), which was a finalist for the Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize; Questions About Angels (1991), which was selected by Edward Hirsch for the National Poetry Series; The Apple That Astonished Paris (1988); Video Poems (1980); and Pokerface (1977).
Collins's poetry has appeared in anthologies, textbooks, and a variety of periodicals, including Poetry, American Poetry Review, American Scholar, Harper's, Paris Review, and The New Yorker. His work has been featured in the Pushcart Prize anthology and has been chosen several times for the annual Best American Poetry series. Collins has edited Poetry 180: A Turning Back to Poetry (Random House, 2003), an anthology of contemporary poems for use in schools and was a guest editor for the 2006 edition of The Best American Poetry.
Another poet, Stephen Dunn, said, "We seem to always know where we are in a Billy Collins poem, but not necessarily where he is going. I love to arrive with him at his arrivals. He doesn't hide things from us, as I think lesser poets do. He allows us to overhear, clearly, what he himself has discovered." I feel that his comments are true; Billy Collins' poems do not contain the element of mystery, but instead allow us to understand the actions, the feelings of himself.
From his poems, I find that Billy Collins is a rather easygoing and open person. He expresses his feelings openly in his poems; unlike other poets. He also varies with different types of poems; some of them are vibrant yet some give the feeling of loneliness. However, reading the poems yourself is better than having me tell you about them. Therefore, below are three poems written exquisitely by Billy Collins.
=======================================================
Fishing on the Susquehanna in July
I have never been fishing on the Susquehanna
or on any river for that matter
to be perfectly honest.
Not in July or any month
have I had the pleasure--if it is a pleasure--
of fishing on the Susquehanna.
I am more likely to be found
in a quiet room like this one--
a painting of a woman on the wall,
a bowl of tangerines on the table--
trying to manufacture the sensation
of fishing on the Susquehanna.
There is little doubt
that others have been fishing
on the Susquehanna,
rowing upstream in a wooden boat,
sliding the oars under the water
then raising them to drip in the light.
But the nearest I have ever come to
fishing on the Susquehanna
was one afternoon in a museum in Philadelphia
when I balanced a little egg of time
in front of a painting
in which that river curled around a bend
under a blue cloud-ruffled sky,
dense trees along the banks,
and a fellow with a red bandanna
sitting in a small, green
flat-bottom boat
holding the thin whip of a pole.
That is something I am unlikely
ever to do, I remember
saying to myself and the person next to me.
Then I blinked and moved on
to other American scenes
of haystacks, water whitening over rocks,
even one of a brown hare
who seemed so wired with alertness
I imagined him springing right out of the frame.
=======================================================
Litany
You are the bread and the knife,
The crystal goblet and the wine...
—Jacques Crickillon
You are the bread and the knife,
the crystal goblet and the wine.
You are the dew on the morning grass
and the burning wheel of the sun.
You are the white apron of the baker,
and the marsh birds suddenly in flight.
However, you are not the wind in the orchard,
the plums on the counter,
or the house of cards.
And you are certainly not the pine-scented air.
There is just no way that you are the pine-scented air.
It is possible that you are the fish under the bridge,
maybe even the pigeon on the general's head,
but you are not even close
to being the field of cornflowers at dusk.
And a quick look in the mirror will show
that you are neither the boots in the corner
nor the boat asleep in its boathouse.
It might interest you to know,
speaking of the plentiful imagery of the world,
that I am the sound of rain on the roof.
I also happen to be the shooting star,
the evening paper blowing down an alley
and the basket of chestnuts on the kitchen table.
I am also the moon in the trees
and the blind woman's tea cup.
But don't worry, I'm not the bread and the knife.
You are still the bread and the knife.
You will always be the bread and the knife,
not to mention the crystal goblet and—somehow—the wine.
=======================================================
Some Days
Some days I put the people in their places at the table,
bend their legs at the knees,
if they come with that feature,
and fix them into the tiny wooden chairs.
All afternoon they face one another,
the man in the brown suit,
the woman in the blue dress,
perfectly motionless, perfectly behaved.
But other days, I am the one
who is lifted up by the ribs,
then lowered into the dining room of a dollhouse
to sit with the others at the long table.
Very funny,
but how would you like it
if you never knew from one day to the next
if you were going to spend it
striding around like a vivid god,
your shoulders in the clouds,
or sitting down there amidst the wallpaper,
staring straight ahead with your little plastic face?
=======================================================
Sources: http://poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/278
http://poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/16497
http://poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/19797
http://poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/19797
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
IT Home Learning Lesson 1: Figurative Language
Below is a poem that I found interesting.
Source : http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/pablo_neruda/poems/15708
Author : Pablo Neruda
====================================================================
It so happens I am sick of being a man.
And it happens that I walk into tailorshops and moviehouses
dried up, waterproof, like a swan made of felt
steering my way in a water of wombs and ashes.
The smell of barbershops makes me break into hoarsesobs.
The only thing I want is to lie still like stones or wool.
The only thing I want is to see no more stores, no gardens,
no more goods, no spectacles, no elevators.
It so happens that I am sick of my feet and my nails
and my hair and my shadow.
It so happens I am sick of being a man.
Still it would be marvelous
to terrify a law clerk with a cut lily,
or kill a nun with a blow on the ear.
It would be great
to go through the streets with a green knife
letting out yells until I died of the cold.
I don't want to go on being a root in the dark,
insecure, stretched out, shivering with sleep,
going on down, into the moist guts of the earth,
taking in and thinking, eating every day.
I don't want so much misery.
I don't want to go on as a root and a tomb,
alone under the ground, a warehouse with corpses,
half frozen, dying of grief.
That's why Monday, when it sees me coming
with my convict face, blazes up like gasoline,
and it howls on its way like a wounded wheel, and leaves tracks full of warm blood leading toward the night.
And it pushes me into certain corners, into some moisthouses,
into hospitals where the bones fly out the window,
into shoeshops that smell like vinegar,
and certain streets hideous as cracks in the skin.
There are sulphur-colored birds, and hideous intestines
hanging over the doors of houses that I hate,
and there are false teeth forgotten in a coffeepot,
there are mirrors
that ought to have wept from shame and terror,
there are umbrellas everywhere, and venoms, and umbilical cords.
I stroll along serenely, with my eyes, my shoes,
my rage, forgetting everything,
I walk by, going through office buildings and orthopedicshops,
and courtyards with washing hanging from the line:
underwear, towels and shirts from which slow
dirty tears are falling.
====================================================================
Hyperboles used - Paragraph 5, "insecure, stretched out, shivering with sleep".
These hyberboles show the despair and hopelessness the author was experiencing at that moment.
Metaphors used - Paragraph 5, "I don't want to go on being a root in the dark".
The author's current situation is compared to "a root in the dark".
Similes used - Paragraph 1, "dried up, waterproof, like a swan made of felt".
The author's current situation is compared to "a swan made of felt".
Symbolisms used - Paragraph 8, "certain streets hideous as cracks in the skin".
This shows how old the streets are, by comparing it with cracks in the skin.
===========================================================================
I chose this poem because I found it very interesting. The author shows that he is tired of life by giving different examples, such as "The only thing I want is to see no more stores, no gardens,no more goods, no spectacles, no elevators." From this, we can tell that he is looking for something else other than the usual city life.
The author also expresses his feelings by providing comparisons in the form of similes and metaphors. This makes the poem easier to comprehend. Although this poem may be gross on the outside, using words such as "corpses", "blood" and such, I feel that this is just the author's way of expressing his thoughts to readers. Overall, I find this poem simple and yet full of feelings.
Source : http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/pablo_neruda/poems/15708
Author : Pablo Neruda
====================================================================
It so happens I am sick of being a man.
And it happens that I walk into tailorshops and moviehouses
dried up, waterproof, like a swan made of felt
steering my way in a water of wombs and ashes.
The smell of barbershops makes me break into hoarsesobs.
The only thing I want is to lie still like stones or wool.
The only thing I want is to see no more stores, no gardens,
no more goods, no spectacles, no elevators.
It so happens that I am sick of my feet and my nails
and my hair and my shadow.
It so happens I am sick of being a man.
Still it would be marvelous
to terrify a law clerk with a cut lily,
or kill a nun with a blow on the ear.
It would be great
to go through the streets with a green knife
letting out yells until I died of the cold.
I don't want to go on being a root in the dark,
insecure, stretched out, shivering with sleep,
going on down, into the moist guts of the earth,
taking in and thinking, eating every day.
I don't want so much misery.
I don't want to go on as a root and a tomb,
alone under the ground, a warehouse with corpses,
half frozen, dying of grief.
That's why Monday, when it sees me coming
with my convict face, blazes up like gasoline,
and it howls on its way like a wounded wheel, and leaves tracks full of warm blood leading toward the night.
And it pushes me into certain corners, into some moisthouses,
into hospitals where the bones fly out the window,
into shoeshops that smell like vinegar,
and certain streets hideous as cracks in the skin.
There are sulphur-colored birds, and hideous intestines
hanging over the doors of houses that I hate,
and there are false teeth forgotten in a coffeepot,
there are mirrors
that ought to have wept from shame and terror,
there are umbrellas everywhere, and venoms, and umbilical cords.
I stroll along serenely, with my eyes, my shoes,
my rage, forgetting everything,
I walk by, going through office buildings and orthopedicshops,
and courtyards with washing hanging from the line:
underwear, towels and shirts from which slow
dirty tears are falling.
====================================================================
Hyperboles used - Paragraph 5, "insecure, stretched out, shivering with sleep".
These hyberboles show the despair and hopelessness the author was experiencing at that moment.
Metaphors used - Paragraph 5, "I don't want to go on being a root in the dark".
The author's current situation is compared to "a root in the dark".
Similes used - Paragraph 1, "dried up, waterproof, like a swan made of felt".
The author's current situation is compared to "a swan made of felt".
Symbolisms used - Paragraph 8, "certain streets hideous as cracks in the skin".
This shows how old the streets are, by comparing it with cracks in the skin.
===========================================================================
I chose this poem because I found it very interesting. The author shows that he is tired of life by giving different examples, such as "The only thing I want is to see no more stores, no gardens,no more goods, no spectacles, no elevators." From this, we can tell that he is looking for something else other than the usual city life.
The author also expresses his feelings by providing comparisons in the form of similes and metaphors. This makes the poem easier to comprehend. Although this poem may be gross on the outside, using words such as "corpses", "blood" and such, I feel that this is just the author's way of expressing his thoughts to readers. Overall, I find this poem simple and yet full of feelings.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Term 2 Week 7 Current Affairs - News In Class : Blog Prompt ( To be assesed for ACE )
Traffic woes are part and parcel of a bustling city. Discuss.
I fully agree that traffic woes are common in a bustling city. There are several factors contributing to this statement.
One example of traffic woes is Japan. Japan is a bustling city. It is also a developed country, with advanced technology everywhere. With advanced technology, cars can be seen everywhere, from city areas to rural areas. People are rushing to get to work, so public transport is not widely accepted by the peope. Instead, cars are being driven to work by each individual, as it is seen as a faster way of transport. However, too many car drivers leads to the problem of traffic jams and congestion. Thus, the time taken to reach the workplace extends by a lot. People drive cars to work so as to be punctual for work ; however, what they do not realise is that this is slowing them down instead.
Another example of traffic woes in developing countries is Vietnam. It is a common sight to see people in Vietnam cycling or walking to work ; many cannot afford to buy cars. However, the cars in Vietnam still make up a considerable number. In roads and streets, there is usually a traffic jam ; cars have to stop frequently because of the people who cross the road. At the side of the roads and streets, cyclists have to cycle extremely slowly in order to prevent knocking into one another. An empty road or street is impossible to spot in Vietnam.
Thus, we can deduce that in both developing countries and developed countries, traffic woes are common with a huge population. They are inevitable ; the people do not look at the big picture, and only think of getting to work on time. As a result, pollution in the air occurs easily, and in the end, they suffer the consequences.
I fully agree that traffic woes are common in a bustling city. There are several factors contributing to this statement.
One example of traffic woes is Japan. Japan is a bustling city. It is also a developed country, with advanced technology everywhere. With advanced technology, cars can be seen everywhere, from city areas to rural areas. People are rushing to get to work, so public transport is not widely accepted by the peope. Instead, cars are being driven to work by each individual, as it is seen as a faster way of transport. However, too many car drivers leads to the problem of traffic jams and congestion. Thus, the time taken to reach the workplace extends by a lot. People drive cars to work so as to be punctual for work ; however, what they do not realise is that this is slowing them down instead.
Another example of traffic woes in developing countries is Vietnam. It is a common sight to see people in Vietnam cycling or walking to work ; many cannot afford to buy cars. However, the cars in Vietnam still make up a considerable number. In roads and streets, there is usually a traffic jam ; cars have to stop frequently because of the people who cross the road. At the side of the roads and streets, cyclists have to cycle extremely slowly in order to prevent knocking into one another. An empty road or street is impossible to spot in Vietnam.
Thus, we can deduce that in both developing countries and developed countries, traffic woes are common with a huge population. They are inevitable ; the people do not look at the big picture, and only think of getting to work on time. As a result, pollution in the air occurs easily, and in the end, they suffer the consequences.
Term 2 Week 8 Current Affairs - News In Class : Blog Prompt ( To be assesed for ACE )
Are you an active user of Facebook, Friendster, and other social networking sites? If yes, make sure that you are careful in revealing personal information about yourself. You might be thinking that revealing some, such as your school and age, may not be harmful. This is wrong. Every piece of information you reveal about yourself could bring you harm that you would never have expected. In the short story below, you will find out the dangerous effects of revealing personal information online.
Linda is a 14 year-old teenager. Recently, she joined her friends on Facebook, a social networking site, and is quickly becoming hooked onto it. Everyday after school, she logs in to Facebook and chats with her friends online. She also enjoys using the various addicting applications available on Facebook.
One day, Linda, after returning from school and logging in immediately, saw a friend request from a stranger she did not know. Tagged with the request was a note, saying "Let's be friends!". Without hesitating, Linda accepted the friend request as she wanted to expand her range of online friends. Then, she continued chatting with whoever was available. However, that night, the stranger started a chat with Linda. He introduced himself as Jack, a 19 year-old student. As they chatted, Linda realised that they clicked well together, and she got more and more into the chat. Soon after, Jack had to go offline, and Linda followed too-it was so late that nobody else was online.
Linda looked forward greatly to chatting with Jack again after school. That day, she went straight to the computer after school, when she would usually take a shower first. To her delight, Jack was online too!
"Hi! How are you today?"
"Well, today..."
After a while, Jack suddenly raised the question "Hey, where are you studying in? How old are you?" Linda, without thinking of the consequences, told him where she lived and studied, how old she was etc. Although she had listened to many talks in school about cyber awareness, she felt so safe with Jack that she thought it did not matter. Little did she know that she was wrong... ...
The next day, when Linda was walking home from school, she was waiting for the lift, when suddenly, a hand covered her mouth, and she was dragged away. Linda was too stunned for words, and despite her struggle, she got brought away. Her parents, being worried that she did not return home even though it was midnight, made a police report. Days passed with worry and fear for Linda's parent, but she did not return.
Though we did not know what happened to Linda, and what was the cause of her being abducted, it is safe to assume that "Jack" had used her personal information to abduct her. If she did not reveal her personal information so easily, she might not have met with harm. Thus, we can deduce that the world of Internet is a dangerous place;the other party is able to hide his identity while commiting crimes or bringing harm to others. However, this can be prevented if we choose who to reveal our personal information to, and who not to. No one is resposible for our safety online-we have to ensure our safety ourselves.
Linda is a 14 year-old teenager. Recently, she joined her friends on Facebook, a social networking site, and is quickly becoming hooked onto it. Everyday after school, she logs in to Facebook and chats with her friends online. She also enjoys using the various addicting applications available on Facebook.
One day, Linda, after returning from school and logging in immediately, saw a friend request from a stranger she did not know. Tagged with the request was a note, saying "Let's be friends!". Without hesitating, Linda accepted the friend request as she wanted to expand her range of online friends. Then, she continued chatting with whoever was available. However, that night, the stranger started a chat with Linda. He introduced himself as Jack, a 19 year-old student. As they chatted, Linda realised that they clicked well together, and she got more and more into the chat. Soon after, Jack had to go offline, and Linda followed too-it was so late that nobody else was online.
Linda looked forward greatly to chatting with Jack again after school. That day, she went straight to the computer after school, when she would usually take a shower first. To her delight, Jack was online too!
"Hi! How are you today?"
"Well, today..."
After a while, Jack suddenly raised the question "Hey, where are you studying in? How old are you?" Linda, without thinking of the consequences, told him where she lived and studied, how old she was etc. Although she had listened to many talks in school about cyber awareness, she felt so safe with Jack that she thought it did not matter. Little did she know that she was wrong... ...
The next day, when Linda was walking home from school, she was waiting for the lift, when suddenly, a hand covered her mouth, and she was dragged away. Linda was too stunned for words, and despite her struggle, she got brought away. Her parents, being worried that she did not return home even though it was midnight, made a police report. Days passed with worry and fear for Linda's parent, but she did not return.
Though we did not know what happened to Linda, and what was the cause of her being abducted, it is safe to assume that "Jack" had used her personal information to abduct her. If she did not reveal her personal information so easily, she might not have met with harm. Thus, we can deduce that the world of Internet is a dangerous place;the other party is able to hide his identity while commiting crimes or bringing harm to others. However, this can be prevented if we choose who to reveal our personal information to, and who not to. No one is resposible for our safety online-we have to ensure our safety ourselves.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Continuation of "Village By The Sea" ( To be assesed for ACE )
Village By The Sea ( 10 years later )
Ten years had passed in the blink of an eye. However, with the passing of time comes a major change to the once peaceful and relaxed life in Thul. The sea was still filled with fishes - dead fishes that took in the deadly chemicals produced by the fertilizer factories. Seagulls were a rare sight - they had moved away to somewhere without so much deadly gases in the air. Huts and cottages were replaced by high-rise flats and bungalows. Everything had changed ; and it was due to the fertilizer factories.
The streets were lit up by the tall streetlights. Hari, as he was walking back home from his watchmending shop, missed everything back then. He missed the warmth of the kerosene lamp used to light up the way home, but seeing them again was impossible. "Hari Wait one minute, I'm about to be done with my work!" Hari turned to the poultry farm, and saw that Lila was packing up. together, they walked home, not to the comfortable wooden hut they once knew, but the flats by the sea, where they had to take a lift to reach their unit.
Taking out the key from his pocket, he opened the door and went in, before locking it. In the past, there was never any worry about burglars. Now, there was. "Bela, Kamal! Have you finished your homework?" Again, they were lying on the sofa, eating potato chips while staring open-mouthed at the television. They were the kind of typical couch potatos. "Yes, brother. We are already in high school, dont bother about us so much!" Hari shook his head, thinking how fortunate they were, yet not aware of it.
Lila, went to cook dinner-she knew Bela and Kamal had skipped dinner again. They were on a slimming diet recently, and Lila did not know why. In his room, Hari was counting the finances of the family. Their father needed the money for his liver operation ; the cause of it was his continuous drinking last time. Fortunately, he repented, or his condition would have worsened. "Oh, mother, father, we have enough for the operation!" They immediately came into the room, faces lit up. There was finally hope that their father would be cured!
Things were so different in Hari's family, from the past to the current, that no outsider would believe the change that occured in the family. From the unrepentant father, sick mother, tattered wooden hut, to the happy family and complete house-it was almost impossible. However, it was Hari's bravery to go to a new city, his willingness to learn new skills, his diligence, and care for his family that made this change possible. The wheel turns and turns and turns:it never stops and stands still... ...
Ten years had passed in the blink of an eye. However, with the passing of time comes a major change to the once peaceful and relaxed life in Thul. The sea was still filled with fishes - dead fishes that took in the deadly chemicals produced by the fertilizer factories. Seagulls were a rare sight - they had moved away to somewhere without so much deadly gases in the air. Huts and cottages were replaced by high-rise flats and bungalows. Everything had changed ; and it was due to the fertilizer factories.
The streets were lit up by the tall streetlights. Hari, as he was walking back home from his watchmending shop, missed everything back then. He missed the warmth of the kerosene lamp used to light up the way home, but seeing them again was impossible. "Hari Wait one minute, I'm about to be done with my work!" Hari turned to the poultry farm, and saw that Lila was packing up. together, they walked home, not to the comfortable wooden hut they once knew, but the flats by the sea, where they had to take a lift to reach their unit.
Taking out the key from his pocket, he opened the door and went in, before locking it. In the past, there was never any worry about burglars. Now, there was. "Bela, Kamal! Have you finished your homework?" Again, they were lying on the sofa, eating potato chips while staring open-mouthed at the television. They were the kind of typical couch potatos. "Yes, brother. We are already in high school, dont bother about us so much!" Hari shook his head, thinking how fortunate they were, yet not aware of it.
Lila, went to cook dinner-she knew Bela and Kamal had skipped dinner again. They were on a slimming diet recently, and Lila did not know why. In his room, Hari was counting the finances of the family. Their father needed the money for his liver operation ; the cause of it was his continuous drinking last time. Fortunately, he repented, or his condition would have worsened. "Oh, mother, father, we have enough for the operation!" They immediately came into the room, faces lit up. There was finally hope that their father would be cured!
Things were so different in Hari's family, from the past to the current, that no outsider would believe the change that occured in the family. From the unrepentant father, sick mother, tattered wooden hut, to the happy family and complete house-it was almost impossible. However, it was Hari's bravery to go to a new city, his willingness to learn new skills, his diligence, and care for his family that made this change possible. The wheel turns and turns and turns:it never stops and stands still... ...
Viewpoint of 1 character in "Nothing But The Truth" ( To be assesed for ACE )
Viewpoint of Ms Narwin :
Firstly, I would like to start off by pointing out that I was wrongly and unfairly treated. In the case of Philip Malloy, I feel that all I had done was only to help Philip, not to inflict harm to him in any way. He spun stories about me, saying that I prevented him from singing the national anthem, thus suppressing patriotism. This is obviously wrong.
In our school, silence must be observed when the national anthem is being played. However, Philip Malloy, in a bid to be assigned to another homeroom, deliberately hummed along with it, despite my repeated reminders for him to keep silent. Is this wrong of me? I am not preventing him from singing the national anthem ; he is the one provoking me by humming along.
I understand that Philip Malloy hopes very much to get into the school track team. However, he is rejected because of his poor English grades. Being his English teacher, he purely pushes the blame on me. Is this reasonable? It is his own fault for his lack of hard work and revision. Because of this, he blames me for failing him, and indirectly causing him to be unable to join the school track team.
In the beginning, I was even trying to defend Philip. When the principal was about to suspend him, I pleaded on his behalf for a last chance to repent. It was he who did not want to apologise and admit his mistakes. As a result, he was suspended and blew the matter up by saying it was the school's and my fault. The radio talk host was talking all about me, and articles were being published everywhere about this incident too. I received many unpleasant calls and messages about my "unfair" was of dealing with Philip, such as preventing him from singing the national anthem and being patriotic.
Being a teacher is tough. I have given my all on educating the children and developing them to become future leaders. However, what do I get in the end? I am seen as a teacher who fails her student intentionally to prevent him from entering the track team, a teacher who suppresses patriotism and suspends her student because he wants to be "patriotic". I lost my job as a result, the job that I have stuck with for over 20 years, the job that I love.
Firstly, I would like to start off by pointing out that I was wrongly and unfairly treated. In the case of Philip Malloy, I feel that all I had done was only to help Philip, not to inflict harm to him in any way. He spun stories about me, saying that I prevented him from singing the national anthem, thus suppressing patriotism. This is obviously wrong.
In our school, silence must be observed when the national anthem is being played. However, Philip Malloy, in a bid to be assigned to another homeroom, deliberately hummed along with it, despite my repeated reminders for him to keep silent. Is this wrong of me? I am not preventing him from singing the national anthem ; he is the one provoking me by humming along.
I understand that Philip Malloy hopes very much to get into the school track team. However, he is rejected because of his poor English grades. Being his English teacher, he purely pushes the blame on me. Is this reasonable? It is his own fault for his lack of hard work and revision. Because of this, he blames me for failing him, and indirectly causing him to be unable to join the school track team.
In the beginning, I was even trying to defend Philip. When the principal was about to suspend him, I pleaded on his behalf for a last chance to repent. It was he who did not want to apologise and admit his mistakes. As a result, he was suspended and blew the matter up by saying it was the school's and my fault. The radio talk host was talking all about me, and articles were being published everywhere about this incident too. I received many unpleasant calls and messages about my "unfair" was of dealing with Philip, such as preventing him from singing the national anthem and being patriotic.
Being a teacher is tough. I have given my all on educating the children and developing them to become future leaders. However, what do I get in the end? I am seen as a teacher who fails her student intentionally to prevent him from entering the track team, a teacher who suppresses patriotism and suspends her student because he wants to be "patriotic". I lost my job as a result, the job that I have stuck with for over 20 years, the job that I love.
Interview on parents ( To be assesed for ACE )
Interview process:
Q : Have you ever read a book that leaves a lasting impression on you?
A : Yes, I read a book named "Charlotte's Web" when I was younger, and I still remember it up to now.
Q : How did you get to know about this book?
A : I came across this book when I went to the library, and saw it on display in the shelves.
Q : What is the story mainly about?
A : The story is about a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte. They live in a farm, and develop a deep friendship. Soon after, Wilbur discovers that the farmer is going to slaughter him, and turns to the wise Charlotte for help. Charlotte attempts to save him from being slaughtered by spinning webs with words, such as "Some Pig" to make him famous, so that he would not be killed. In the end, Charlotte's idea works, and Wilbur is saved. After a while, Charlotte died. However, she had laid some egg sacs before dying. Wilbur repays her kindness by taking care of them for her.
Q : What makes you have a deep impression of the story?
A : I truly admire the spirit of friendship between Charlotte and Wilbur. Moreover, they are just animals, yet they have such a deep friendship. Charlotte is also very wise to be able to save Wilbur ; it is almost impossible for a mere spider to save a pig, which in this case is, Wilbur. This is an extremely touching story, which is why it appeals to me.
Q : Would you recommend this story to others?
A : Yes, I would. This story is very educational ; it teaches some moral values to children. It is also very interesting to read for children, teenagers and even adults.
Q : Have you ever read a book that leaves a lasting impression on you?
A : Yes, I read a book named "Charlotte's Web" when I was younger, and I still remember it up to now.
Q : How did you get to know about this book?
A : I came across this book when I went to the library, and saw it on display in the shelves.
Q : What is the story mainly about?
A : The story is about a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte. They live in a farm, and develop a deep friendship. Soon after, Wilbur discovers that the farmer is going to slaughter him, and turns to the wise Charlotte for help. Charlotte attempts to save him from being slaughtered by spinning webs with words, such as "Some Pig" to make him famous, so that he would not be killed. In the end, Charlotte's idea works, and Wilbur is saved. After a while, Charlotte died. However, she had laid some egg sacs before dying. Wilbur repays her kindness by taking care of them for her.
Q : What makes you have a deep impression of the story?
A : I truly admire the spirit of friendship between Charlotte and Wilbur. Moreover, they are just animals, yet they have such a deep friendship. Charlotte is also very wise to be able to save Wilbur ; it is almost impossible for a mere spider to save a pig, which in this case is, Wilbur. This is an extremely touching story, which is why it appeals to me.
Q : Would you recommend this story to others?
A : Yes, I would. This story is very educational ; it teaches some moral values to children. It is also very interesting to read for children, teenagers and even adults.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Reflection : Eggs ( To be assesed for ACE )
Eggs
After reading the short story "Eggs", I find that the six-year-old child in the story is very pitiful and yet, naive. At only six years old, she has to experience the feeling of being looked down upon by people living under the same roof as her. Her mother was so poor that they had to live in a relative's house. The child had hardly eaten eggs and played with real dolls too. She could only play with paper dolls made by her mother.
Unfortunately, her already hard life was made worse as her cousins, Molly and Beng Beng, were extremely arrogant and often made fun of her as a beggar. These children have become like this probably because they were taught badly by their mother. According to the story, they were told by their mother that the child and mother were beggars living off them. From this, we can see that Molly and Beng Beng's mother was the one responsible for their negative thinking. She despises the child and her mother, as her own living conditions are much better. Thus, we can conclude that she is one without compassion for those poorer than herself.
Fortunately, poor families like the one in the story are receiving help from the government and they can rely on themselves for a living. With jobs to provide for themselves, poor families will not be despised and looked down upon anymore.
After reading the short story "Eggs", I find that the six-year-old child in the story is very pitiful and yet, naive. At only six years old, she has to experience the feeling of being looked down upon by people living under the same roof as her. Her mother was so poor that they had to live in a relative's house. The child had hardly eaten eggs and played with real dolls too. She could only play with paper dolls made by her mother.
Unfortunately, her already hard life was made worse as her cousins, Molly and Beng Beng, were extremely arrogant and often made fun of her as a beggar. These children have become like this probably because they were taught badly by their mother. According to the story, they were told by their mother that the child and mother were beggars living off them. From this, we can see that Molly and Beng Beng's mother was the one responsible for their negative thinking. She despises the child and her mother, as her own living conditions are much better. Thus, we can conclude that she is one without compassion for those poorer than herself.
Fortunately, poor families like the one in the story are receiving help from the government and they can rely on themselves for a living. With jobs to provide for themselves, poor families will not be despised and looked down upon anymore.
Reflection : Lottery ( To be assesed for ACE )
Lottery
After reading the short story "Lottery", I find that the story reflects on some of the people nowadays who are also addicted to lottery. Ah Boh, a compulsive gambler, is a domestic helper who earns a meagre income. However, she spends all the money she earns on lottery, to the extent that she does not even have a savings account and her mother starves sometimes.
One loses money nine out of ten times one gambles. However, Ah Boh clearly does not understand this. She is blinded by the dream of one day strking it rich with big stakes. This is obviously a dream that is impossible to attain. If lottery could make one rich overnight, would there be a need for work? Everyone would just gamble everyday and lose money.
Furthermore, as a result of the unachievable fantasies of these compulsive gamblers, old folks suffer from their actions too. Ah Boh's mother has to go and work in a coffee shop although she is already seventy. Although Ah Boh has the intention of supporting her mother, she is still hoping that she would win a lot of money, before renting a better room for her. However, whenever she won some money, she still spent it all on lottery the next day.
I would look at gambling as a vicious cycle ; when one wins a little money, he would become bolder and place higher stakes, till the day when he finally loses all the money he has. Unfortunately, at that stage, regretting is futile already.
After reading the short story "Lottery", I find that the story reflects on some of the people nowadays who are also addicted to lottery. Ah Boh, a compulsive gambler, is a domestic helper who earns a meagre income. However, she spends all the money she earns on lottery, to the extent that she does not even have a savings account and her mother starves sometimes.
One loses money nine out of ten times one gambles. However, Ah Boh clearly does not understand this. She is blinded by the dream of one day strking it rich with big stakes. This is obviously a dream that is impossible to attain. If lottery could make one rich overnight, would there be a need for work? Everyone would just gamble everyday and lose money.
Furthermore, as a result of the unachievable fantasies of these compulsive gamblers, old folks suffer from their actions too. Ah Boh's mother has to go and work in a coffee shop although she is already seventy. Although Ah Boh has the intention of supporting her mother, she is still hoping that she would win a lot of money, before renting a better room for her. However, whenever she won some money, she still spent it all on lottery the next day.
I would look at gambling as a vicious cycle ; when one wins a little money, he would become bolder and place higher stakes, till the day when he finally loses all the money he has. Unfortunately, at that stage, regretting is futile already.
Reflection : The Taximan's Story ( To be assesed for ACE )
The Taximan's Story
After reading the short story "The Taximan's Story", I find that the taximan is a rather friendly person. Nowadays, most taxi-drivers just remain silent throughout the journey while driving their customers to somewhere. In the story, it is shown that the taximan talks with the customer as though to a friend. Authentic singlish, however, is shown in his words and sentences.
He points out that young people nowadays are rebellious and deceive their parents often about having activities in school when in fact, they are outside having fun. Young people smoking and taking drugs in coffee shops are a common sight. Some young schoolgirls even go out with American or European tourists just for the sake of money. Even after 1 a.m, the taximan still receives many customers at hotels and such places. This reveals what the schoolgirls have been doing.
I also feel sad and sympathetic for the taximan. He drives customers around all day, and even has to entertain the customers by talking during the journey. This is extremely tiring, and he only earns a small amount of money each day. However, his daughter is out there in coffee shops fooling around with tourists to have money. The taximan is out there working so hard while his daughter, instead of studying hard, goes out to fool around. The taximan must have felt heartbroken when he found out this sad truth ; he beat and scolded his daughter afterwards, probably as a way of venting his anger.
In my opinion, young people from poor families have a higher chance of commiting these acts. Those from poor families like the taximan's daughter would find that they have not enough pocket money to buy their own things, thus finding such ways to get money. However, they have approached the wrong method.
After reading the short story "The Taximan's Story", I find that the taximan is a rather friendly person. Nowadays, most taxi-drivers just remain silent throughout the journey while driving their customers to somewhere. In the story, it is shown that the taximan talks with the customer as though to a friend. Authentic singlish, however, is shown in his words and sentences.
He points out that young people nowadays are rebellious and deceive their parents often about having activities in school when in fact, they are outside having fun. Young people smoking and taking drugs in coffee shops are a common sight. Some young schoolgirls even go out with American or European tourists just for the sake of money. Even after 1 a.m, the taximan still receives many customers at hotels and such places. This reveals what the schoolgirls have been doing.
I also feel sad and sympathetic for the taximan. He drives customers around all day, and even has to entertain the customers by talking during the journey. This is extremely tiring, and he only earns a small amount of money each day. However, his daughter is out there in coffee shops fooling around with tourists to have money. The taximan is out there working so hard while his daughter, instead of studying hard, goes out to fool around. The taximan must have felt heartbroken when he found out this sad truth ; he beat and scolded his daughter afterwards, probably as a way of venting his anger.
In my opinion, young people from poor families have a higher chance of commiting these acts. Those from poor families like the taximan's daughter would find that they have not enough pocket money to buy their own things, thus finding such ways to get money. However, they have approached the wrong method.
Reflection : Adeline Ng Ai Choo ( To be assesed for ACE )
Adeline Ng Ai Choo
After reading the short story "Adeline Ng Ai Choo", I find that Adeline is a filial yet foolish student. She does not want to disappoint her parents as they hope for her to achieve good grades for the examinations. According to her diary, she is afraid of failing because it would cause her father to be ashamed in front of his friends who have smart children. Her mother also says that she will die if Adeline does not pass the examinations. Thus, Adeline is under a great amount of pressure to get a passing grade, also shown in her diary.
Adeline's father tells her to study three hours each day in the room, but this is not the way to ensure she gets good grades. She should occasionally take a break, so that she can concentrate on studying later. Three hours of studying might backfire and cause her to have too much stress. Yet, her father does not understand this and thinks he is doing the right thing for Adeline. Even after her death, her parents still do not realise the cause of her plunging to her death. Instead, they blame her for her own death.
What I disagree most with them was a sentence they said," We've done all we could as parents, so you've got nothing to reproach yourself with." This is an extremely irresponsible sentence to say, as they have obviously not tried to understand Adeline's needs and just drive her to do well in studies. However, I find that Adeline is also too rash ; she took the plunge just because she was refused one mark by her teacher to get a passing grade. Do grades really matter that much, more than her own life?
After reading the short story "Adeline Ng Ai Choo", I find that Adeline is a filial yet foolish student. She does not want to disappoint her parents as they hope for her to achieve good grades for the examinations. According to her diary, she is afraid of failing because it would cause her father to be ashamed in front of his friends who have smart children. Her mother also says that she will die if Adeline does not pass the examinations. Thus, Adeline is under a great amount of pressure to get a passing grade, also shown in her diary.
Adeline's father tells her to study three hours each day in the room, but this is not the way to ensure she gets good grades. She should occasionally take a break, so that she can concentrate on studying later. Three hours of studying might backfire and cause her to have too much stress. Yet, her father does not understand this and thinks he is doing the right thing for Adeline. Even after her death, her parents still do not realise the cause of her plunging to her death. Instead, they blame her for her own death.
What I disagree most with them was a sentence they said," We've done all we could as parents, so you've got nothing to reproach yourself with." This is an extremely irresponsible sentence to say, as they have obviously not tried to understand Adeline's needs and just drive her to do well in studies. However, I find that Adeline is also too rash ; she took the plunge just because she was refused one mark by her teacher to get a passing grade. Do grades really matter that much, more than her own life?
Monday, March 9, 2009
Reflection : Lamb to the Slaughter ( To be assesed for ACE )
Lamb to the Slaughter
After reading the short story "Lamb to the Slaughter", I find that it is a very interesting story about murder and how the murderer, Mrs Maloney, avoids suspicion and destroys the murder weapon, the leg of lamb. Usually, the evil does not escape the eyes of law in the end. However, Mrs Maloney has proved this fact wrong by not being exposed although she had commited a sinful act.
Mrs Maloney kills her husband because of her shock and anger over her husband, Patrick Maloney's betrayal. Her husband even tells her to not make a fuss over this as it would affect his job being a policeman. However, even if Mrs Maloney is landed in such a sorry plight, this does not give her a reason to murder. She did not think before she acted. It was only after she murdered her husband that she started to worry about her unborn child should she get caught by the police.
Despite all this, I must still say that Mrs Maloney was a smart and cunning person. She devised a plan to cover up for her actions. First, she went to the grocer's to buy some groceries, pretending to be perfectly fine. She already knew at that time that the police would take down his statement if she told them she had gone to buy groceries. Thus, she gained an "alibi" to prove that she was unaware of the fact that Patrick had died.
After that, when Mrs Maloney called the police and they came, she changed from a murderer to a weak and frail woman who was grieving over her husband's death. This contributed to the police sympathizing with her. However, her main motive was to destroy the leg of lamb. She led the policemen into eating the lamb as supper, taking advantage of their hunger. This was the flawless plan Mrs Maloney devised.
To conclude, I feel that Mrs Maloney should face the music of her actions, and not escape just to protect her child. Besides, the police would not prevent the unborn child from coming into this world, I believe.
After reading the short story "Lamb to the Slaughter", I find that it is a very interesting story about murder and how the murderer, Mrs Maloney, avoids suspicion and destroys the murder weapon, the leg of lamb. Usually, the evil does not escape the eyes of law in the end. However, Mrs Maloney has proved this fact wrong by not being exposed although she had commited a sinful act.
Mrs Maloney kills her husband because of her shock and anger over her husband, Patrick Maloney's betrayal. Her husband even tells her to not make a fuss over this as it would affect his job being a policeman. However, even if Mrs Maloney is landed in such a sorry plight, this does not give her a reason to murder. She did not think before she acted. It was only after she murdered her husband that she started to worry about her unborn child should she get caught by the police.
Despite all this, I must still say that Mrs Maloney was a smart and cunning person. She devised a plan to cover up for her actions. First, she went to the grocer's to buy some groceries, pretending to be perfectly fine. She already knew at that time that the police would take down his statement if she told them she had gone to buy groceries. Thus, she gained an "alibi" to prove that she was unaware of the fact that Patrick had died.
After that, when Mrs Maloney called the police and they came, she changed from a murderer to a weak and frail woman who was grieving over her husband's death. This contributed to the police sympathizing with her. However, her main motive was to destroy the leg of lamb. She led the policemen into eating the lamb as supper, taking advantage of their hunger. This was the flawless plan Mrs Maloney devised.
To conclude, I feel that Mrs Maloney should face the music of her actions, and not escape just to protect her child. Besides, the police would not prevent the unborn child from coming into this world, I believe.
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