Students learning to appreciate nature at Sungei Buloh
By Melissa Tan
Singapore- A group of 31 students and their form teacher, Miss Elyn Noriff, from Anglican High School, Secondary 3D went to Sungei Buloh on 22nd May. This trip was organised by the GEMS (Geography, English, Mathematics and Science) comittee to provide the students with an opportunity to get in touch with nature and inspire them in their studies with respect mainly to their Biology and Geography subjects.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Journey Through Sungei Buloh
It was the 22nd of May. Our class went to Sungei Buloh as an enrichment for our Biology and Geography. Sungei Buloh was by no means a foreign place to me, having been there twice in kindergarten and at least three times in primary school. This trip however, was a lot more enriching, probably due to the wonderful guides the school requested for. I had never noticed much during my previous trips except the birds and monitor lizards.
We arrived at the carpark outside the nature reserve and waited for our guides. Unfortunately, due to some miscommunication, one hour of our precious time there was wasted as the guides were waiting for us in the gallery while we stood in the carpark.
The guide was highly observant and pointed out many things to us. For example, what appeared to be a wilted flower to us, he explained it to be the flower of the sea poison plant. The fruit of this plant was crushed and released into the water, causing the fish to be poisoned and paralysed temporarily, the fishermen would then easily pick the fish from the surface of the water. These toxins would disintegrate upon cooking, thus making it the fishermen's choice method of fishing in the past.
We were also introduced to the mangroves and its ecosystem. Life in the mangroves was not easy for us to spot. We had mistaken much of the living organisms for other non living beings. We saw crabs with a large claw, causing us to mistake them for snails and lobster mounds but could not find any lobsters.
We arrived at the carpark outside the nature reserve and waited for our guides. Unfortunately, due to some miscommunication, one hour of our precious time there was wasted as the guides were waiting for us in the gallery while we stood in the carpark.
The guide was highly observant and pointed out many things to us. For example, what appeared to be a wilted flower to us, he explained it to be the flower of the sea poison plant. The fruit of this plant was crushed and released into the water, causing the fish to be poisoned and paralysed temporarily, the fishermen would then easily pick the fish from the surface of the water. These toxins would disintegrate upon cooking, thus making it the fishermen's choice method of fishing in the past.
We were also introduced to the mangroves and its ecosystem. Life in the mangroves was not easy for us to spot. We had mistaken much of the living organisms for other non living beings. We saw crabs with a large claw, causing us to mistake them for snails and lobster mounds but could not find any lobsters.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Blogging or Flogging?
Blogging is a word derived from the word web log or in other words a diary which is posted for everyone to see. Flogging is sometimes incidently included into a person's blog post as the person discusses his or her unhappiness about what happened during the day.
So, here's the big question. Is it ok to flog a person through blogging?
The aftermath of flogging someone may sometimes be different from what we expect. Often, bloggers just wish to vent their frustrations on their blogs forgetting about its consequences.
I believe that as it is a blog, we should be given the freedom to vent our frustrations. However, venting our frustrations does not mean that we have to flog the person we are unhappy with. I believe that as the blog is being made public and also made known to the world, we should try to restrain our words and try not let our anger overwhelm us. Flogging can cause terrible consequences such as defamation and lack of friends to the victim. One might also be charged with slandering if he makes false accuses to someone in a fit of anger.
I believe that bloggers can be more discreet about their anger when venting it through their blogs. Names should be kept confidential and the person's nickname or initials should not be used, lest other's recognise the other party.
So, here's the big question. Is it ok to flog a person through blogging?
The aftermath of flogging someone may sometimes be different from what we expect. Often, bloggers just wish to vent their frustrations on their blogs forgetting about its consequences.
I believe that as it is a blog, we should be given the freedom to vent our frustrations. However, venting our frustrations does not mean that we have to flog the person we are unhappy with. I believe that as the blog is being made public and also made known to the world, we should try to restrain our words and try not let our anger overwhelm us. Flogging can cause terrible consequences such as defamation and lack of friends to the victim. One might also be charged with slandering if he makes false accuses to someone in a fit of anger.
I believe that bloggers can be more discreet about their anger when venting it through their blogs. Names should be kept confidential and the person's nickname or initials should not be used, lest other's recognise the other party.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
My Name is Discipline
Matt is my owner or handler which is his job and I met Matt when I was one year old. He named me Discipline, hoping that I would live up to my name. I am trained to search for the source of the smells and differentiate objects with similar smells. Matt treats me with great care and I really enjoy the times we spend training and playing together.
I soon graduated from the training school and joined the force. Matt would call me to work everyday and we would patrol the area together. There wasn't much work to be done other than chasing snatch thieves but Matt told me that we had to be disciplined and stay vigilant. I loved Matt and so obeyed his commands with pride. We continued to go back to the training centre where I was taught more skills on taking down a criminal and revised what I had learnt.
I was sleeping soundly in a kennel Matt had built for me outside his house. That was my first time in Matt's house as I usually slept in the police station. It was dawn when Matt woke me up but being used to such scenarios, I restrained myself from barking at him. Instead, I pricked up my ears and awaited his command.
Signalling for me to get into the car, Matt grabbed his keys and drove the car. We were not headed for the station, my regular training included remembering the routes I take and I knew for sure that we were not headed in the direction we came from. Matt's expression was intense. I knew something serious had happened. We arrived in the heart of the city which was bustling with energy. I saw a few fellow dogs with their handlers.
I sat beside Matt. Practising my self-discipline which I have trained since young. My nose picked up a familiar scent which was uncommon in that area and let out a soft growl to seek attention from Matt and inform him of what I detected.
I remained on my hinds until Matt finally gave me the go-ahead sign. I ran into a huge room with flashing lights and deafening music. Flattening my ears, I tried to block out the music as I followed the smell. Repeated training in the school proved useful as I allowed instincts to take over my movements.
My nose brought me to a smaller room where the smell was strongest. I leapt at the person holding the white packet and bit his arm. Matt was close behind me and the other dogs brought down other people in the room. I ceased wrestling with the teenage boy as soon as I heard Matt's command.
Everyone in the room was brought back to the station and I retired to the police kennel, too tired to travel back to Matt's house. I was well-rewarded the next day with more snacks from Matt. Through this, I learnt how important discipline is. Had I rushed into the room too early, we would not be able to catch them in the act of handing over the substance, thus not being able to prove all of them guilty.
Discipline is important no matter how tough it is to train for it. It is only through discipline that we are able to achieve our goals.
I soon graduated from the training school and joined the force. Matt would call me to work everyday and we would patrol the area together. There wasn't much work to be done other than chasing snatch thieves but Matt told me that we had to be disciplined and stay vigilant. I loved Matt and so obeyed his commands with pride. We continued to go back to the training centre where I was taught more skills on taking down a criminal and revised what I had learnt.
I was sleeping soundly in a kennel Matt had built for me outside his house. That was my first time in Matt's house as I usually slept in the police station. It was dawn when Matt woke me up but being used to such scenarios, I restrained myself from barking at him. Instead, I pricked up my ears and awaited his command.
Signalling for me to get into the car, Matt grabbed his keys and drove the car. We were not headed for the station, my regular training included remembering the routes I take and I knew for sure that we were not headed in the direction we came from. Matt's expression was intense. I knew something serious had happened. We arrived in the heart of the city which was bustling with energy. I saw a few fellow dogs with their handlers.
I sat beside Matt. Practising my self-discipline which I have trained since young. My nose picked up a familiar scent which was uncommon in that area and let out a soft growl to seek attention from Matt and inform him of what I detected.
I remained on my hinds until Matt finally gave me the go-ahead sign. I ran into a huge room with flashing lights and deafening music. Flattening my ears, I tried to block out the music as I followed the smell. Repeated training in the school proved useful as I allowed instincts to take over my movements.
My nose brought me to a smaller room where the smell was strongest. I leapt at the person holding the white packet and bit his arm. Matt was close behind me and the other dogs brought down other people in the room. I ceased wrestling with the teenage boy as soon as I heard Matt's command.
Everyone in the room was brought back to the station and I retired to the police kennel, too tired to travel back to Matt's house. I was well-rewarded the next day with more snacks from Matt. Through this, I learnt how important discipline is. Had I rushed into the room too early, we would not be able to catch them in the act of handing over the substance, thus not being able to prove all of them guilty.
Discipline is important no matter how tough it is to train for it. It is only through discipline that we are able to achieve our goals.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Twisted Red Riding Hood
Once upon a time there was a teenager who lived in a small village by the forest. Everyone she knew called her Red Riding Hood or RRH for short because of the red coloured riding hood she wore wherever she went. There was also a big but not exactly bad wolf who loved RRH for let's just say, a really long time.
So, as the story goes, RRH was traipsing through the forest holding a small wicker basket containing a picnic lunch in hand, to visit her grandmother who lived in an isolated house by herself. The Wolf peered at her from behind a maple tree and upon seeing RRH by herself he boldly strode forward to her.
“What's in there?” he inquired, pointing to the basket.
“They’re some goodies for my granny,” she explained.
“Let me have some,” he demanded.
“No way!” as she wrapped her arms protectively around it.
“You'll have to exchange it with something then,” the Wolf told her. “How about a kiss?”
“Oh, is that all?” asked RRH innocently. “Just close your eyes and pucker up then!” The Wolf complied and leant forward. RRH hurriedly reached for a fallen tree branch and whacked the Wolf on his head, causing him to drop on the ground, unconcious.
“That was easy,” she reflected. Tossing the shattered remanants of the tree branch, RRH walked around the Wolf and continued her journey.
The Wolf recovered quickly. Knowing RRH was sure to stay on the path, he went down a short cut and got to the house before she did. He pounded on the door of the small cabin and shouted, “Granny, are you in there?” Receiving no reply, he pushed the door open. “Anyone home?” he called and was again met with silence. “She must’ve gone out to gamble,” he thought, realizing the house was empty. The Wolf hurried into the master bedroom and entered the spacious walk-in closet. “I’ll just slip on a nightgown and then crawl into her bed,” he planned. “Now, let’s see, where would she keep something like that? Ah, this should...eww!” he exclaimed as he picked up a red silk chemise. He rummaged somemore and fumed in frustration when he was unable to find a decent night gown.
RRH arrived and the Wolf decided to forgo wearing the nightgown. Jumping into bed, he pulled the covers up to his neck and called in a false voice, “I’m in my bedroom, dear!”
“Granny! You look simply awful!” commented RRH as she walked in. Why she did not notice the 'person' under the sheets was actually the Wolf is a mystery. As the Wolf proceeded to answer that she had too many Martinis, knowing her grandmother’s habits. RRH seated herself on a small wooden chair by the side of the bed and gazed at the Wolf, “Oh, granny, what big lips you have!”
“The better to kiss you, my dear!”
“And granny,” continued RRH, pulling one of the Wolf’s paws out from under the covers, “what big arms you have!”
“The better to hug you, my dear!”
“And granny, what big hands you have!”
“The better to tie you up, my dear!” growled the Wolf. He leapt from the bed and tied her with a rope conveniently placed on the night table. RRH jerked herself about and ordered the Wolf to let her go. Then again, we should ask, why would the Wolf let her go after tying her up? Her granny came home soon enough and RRH naturally called for help. Granny dashed into the room wearing a bright-yellow sundress showing her excellent figure she retained despite her advanced years.
She cornered the Wolf wanting a kiss from him. RRH laughed as she watched her grandmother advance on the Wolf. “How do you like it now that the table's turned?” she taunted. Granny grabbed the Wolf in a tight embrace, and then leaned forward, pressing her lips against his.
“Lady, you sure do know how to please a man!” the Wolf exclaimed when Granny finally broke the embrace.
“Call me Scarlet,” she said, blinking her eyes flirtatiously.
“Right, Scarlet, I heard that there's a magic act with albino lions being performed at the casino tonight. Do you want to have dinner and catch the show later?” asked the wolf. She agreed immediately and linked her arm around his.
Forgetting about RRH being tied up, Scarlet and the Wolf went out to watch the lion tamers together and soon got married, living happily ever after. As for what happened to RRH, let's just say that she ended up inside a certain hungry grizzly bear who happened to pass by.
Moral of the story? Being old does not mean that you can't do anything. Take Scarlet for example, she managed to get married to the Wolf who was in love with her grand daughter.
So, as the story goes, RRH was traipsing through the forest holding a small wicker basket containing a picnic lunch in hand, to visit her grandmother who lived in an isolated house by herself. The Wolf peered at her from behind a maple tree and upon seeing RRH by herself he boldly strode forward to her.
“What's in there?” he inquired, pointing to the basket.
“They’re some goodies for my granny,” she explained.
“Let me have some,” he demanded.
“No way!” as she wrapped her arms protectively around it.
“You'll have to exchange it with something then,” the Wolf told her. “How about a kiss?”
“Oh, is that all?” asked RRH innocently. “Just close your eyes and pucker up then!” The Wolf complied and leant forward. RRH hurriedly reached for a fallen tree branch and whacked the Wolf on his head, causing him to drop on the ground, unconcious.
“That was easy,” she reflected. Tossing the shattered remanants of the tree branch, RRH walked around the Wolf and continued her journey.
The Wolf recovered quickly. Knowing RRH was sure to stay on the path, he went down a short cut and got to the house before she did. He pounded on the door of the small cabin and shouted, “Granny, are you in there?” Receiving no reply, he pushed the door open. “Anyone home?” he called and was again met with silence. “She must’ve gone out to gamble,” he thought, realizing the house was empty. The Wolf hurried into the master bedroom and entered the spacious walk-in closet. “I’ll just slip on a nightgown and then crawl into her bed,” he planned. “Now, let’s see, where would she keep something like that? Ah, this should...eww!” he exclaimed as he picked up a red silk chemise. He rummaged somemore and fumed in frustration when he was unable to find a decent night gown.
RRH arrived and the Wolf decided to forgo wearing the nightgown. Jumping into bed, he pulled the covers up to his neck and called in a false voice, “I’m in my bedroom, dear!”
“Granny! You look simply awful!” commented RRH as she walked in. Why she did not notice the 'person' under the sheets was actually the Wolf is a mystery. As the Wolf proceeded to answer that she had too many Martinis, knowing her grandmother’s habits. RRH seated herself on a small wooden chair by the side of the bed and gazed at the Wolf, “Oh, granny, what big lips you have!”
“The better to kiss you, my dear!”
“And granny,” continued RRH, pulling one of the Wolf’s paws out from under the covers, “what big arms you have!”
“The better to hug you, my dear!”
“And granny, what big hands you have!”
“The better to tie you up, my dear!” growled the Wolf. He leapt from the bed and tied her with a rope conveniently placed on the night table. RRH jerked herself about and ordered the Wolf to let her go. Then again, we should ask, why would the Wolf let her go after tying her up? Her granny came home soon enough and RRH naturally called for help. Granny dashed into the room wearing a bright-yellow sundress showing her excellent figure she retained despite her advanced years.
She cornered the Wolf wanting a kiss from him. RRH laughed as she watched her grandmother advance on the Wolf. “How do you like it now that the table's turned?” she taunted. Granny grabbed the Wolf in a tight embrace, and then leaned forward, pressing her lips against his.
“Lady, you sure do know how to please a man!” the Wolf exclaimed when Granny finally broke the embrace.
“Call me Scarlet,” she said, blinking her eyes flirtatiously.
“Right, Scarlet, I heard that there's a magic act with albino lions being performed at the casino tonight. Do you want to have dinner and catch the show later?” asked the wolf. She agreed immediately and linked her arm around his.
Forgetting about RRH being tied up, Scarlet and the Wolf went out to watch the lion tamers together and soon got married, living happily ever after. As for what happened to RRH, let's just say that she ended up inside a certain hungry grizzly bear who happened to pass by.
Moral of the story? Being old does not mean that you can't do anything. Take Scarlet for example, she managed to get married to the Wolf who was in love with her grand daughter.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Blessings by Anna Quindlen...Book Report
"Blessings" was published in 2002, which was also the year I bought it. I was primary 2 at that time and a bookseller had recommended it to me, claiming that I would definitely enjoy the book. I had been looking for a challenge at that time and begged my parents to buy it for me. However, the book proved to be too difficult for me and I left it on the shelf until recently when I was in search of another unread book. I re-read the summary at the back and decided to attempt it again after six years.
Although the story progresses slowly, the detailed description of the setting and feelings of characters allows us to picture the scenes with ultimate ease. I would strongly reccomend this book to anyone who enjoys imagining about luxurious houses and what goes on inside. How a person should never be judged by her looks and that past records would not mean much as long as one does not repeat his mistake. This book teaches us how our past can affect our future descisions and to what length we can strive in order to help someone just because of what had happened in the past.
Admittedly, I have not read much of the thick book. It would be most unfair for me to decide who I truely think is the most interesting person and what is the most interesting event. However I would gladly say that my current favourite character and event would be Skip Cuddy and the period of time when he found and took care of the baby. During this period of time, Skip had tried all means to support the new born with his meagre salary. I admire his strong sense of responsibility for the new born who was totally unrelated to him. He is also an example of why we should refrain from judging others by their appearance as Skip was never one to look clean or tidy. Skip also has a jail record for breaking the law when he was young. However, his care for the new born shows us that he is not a criminal with an evil heart but is just a misled youth who cares dearly for the people around him.
Blessings is truely a heart-wavering book and I would really recommend everyone to read it with a little patience.
Although the story progresses slowly, the detailed description of the setting and feelings of characters allows us to picture the scenes with ultimate ease. I would strongly reccomend this book to anyone who enjoys imagining about luxurious houses and what goes on inside. How a person should never be judged by her looks and that past records would not mean much as long as one does not repeat his mistake. This book teaches us how our past can affect our future descisions and to what length we can strive in order to help someone just because of what had happened in the past.
Admittedly, I have not read much of the thick book. It would be most unfair for me to decide who I truely think is the most interesting person and what is the most interesting event. However I would gladly say that my current favourite character and event would be Skip Cuddy and the period of time when he found and took care of the baby. During this period of time, Skip had tried all means to support the new born with his meagre salary. I admire his strong sense of responsibility for the new born who was totally unrelated to him. He is also an example of why we should refrain from judging others by their appearance as Skip was never one to look clean or tidy. Skip also has a jail record for breaking the law when he was young. However, his care for the new born shows us that he is not a criminal with an evil heart but is just a misled youth who cares dearly for the people around him.
Blessings is truely a heart-wavering book and I would really recommend everyone to read it with a little patience.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Teaming Together For Work
Think. What is inevitable in our modern society? Something no one can run away from and is there no matter how much you dislike it. I don't really detest it though, it isn't so tough as long as you have enough social skills to overcome the problems in communication. As you would probably have guessed by now, this 'thing' I'm talking about is working in a team.
Opinions of the term 'team work' are widely variated. I clearly remember anticipating for the teachers to group us together and allow us to work in teams instead of doing individual work when I was in primary school. However, the idea of team work is disliked by a majority of students in secondary school. Team work now in secondary school has become a job whereby students group together and try to push the responsibility of the work to a certain 'victim'. If a scrapegoat is not found, then that group's results would suffer. I have been the 'victim' a few times at secondary 1 and I strongly believe it's unfair to be treated in this manner.
So, what makes a team? Horses? Yes, but it's not the kind of team I'm currently talking about. I'm refering to people working together as a team. Team spirit is the first thing which comes to my mind when we discuss about working in teams. I must admit that though this term is common, team spirit is not easily achieved within a team. How then can we achieve team spirit? To me, the simplest way would be to communicate more, be more sensitive to each other's feelings and try to forget any misforgivings towards each other. Communication prevents the misunderstanding of instructions between members so that everyone will be able to complete their part while being more sensitive to each other will help increase bonds between members and avoid offending the other party. Lastly, we should put aside our misforgivings and support each other in order to achieve the goal.
Nothing is smooth sailing in life. We should try to bear with the responsibilities set upon us by the group, for if the base of the work is not set well, the entire piece of work would definitely be ruined. However, there is a limit to how much each individual should bear. We should not let an individual or a few of the members complete the entire project on behalf of the whole group. Every person who considers themselves as a member of the group should offer their help to complete the given piece of work.
Opinions of the term 'team work' are widely variated. I clearly remember anticipating for the teachers to group us together and allow us to work in teams instead of doing individual work when I was in primary school. However, the idea of team work is disliked by a majority of students in secondary school. Team work now in secondary school has become a job whereby students group together and try to push the responsibility of the work to a certain 'victim'. If a scrapegoat is not found, then that group's results would suffer. I have been the 'victim' a few times at secondary 1 and I strongly believe it's unfair to be treated in this manner.
So, what makes a team? Horses? Yes, but it's not the kind of team I'm currently talking about. I'm refering to people working together as a team. Team spirit is the first thing which comes to my mind when we discuss about working in teams. I must admit that though this term is common, team spirit is not easily achieved within a team. How then can we achieve team spirit? To me, the simplest way would be to communicate more, be more sensitive to each other's feelings and try to forget any misforgivings towards each other. Communication prevents the misunderstanding of instructions between members so that everyone will be able to complete their part while being more sensitive to each other will help increase bonds between members and avoid offending the other party. Lastly, we should put aside our misforgivings and support each other in order to achieve the goal.
Nothing is smooth sailing in life. We should try to bear with the responsibilities set upon us by the group, for if the base of the work is not set well, the entire piece of work would definitely be ruined. However, there is a limit to how much each individual should bear. We should not let an individual or a few of the members complete the entire project on behalf of the whole group. Every person who considers themselves as a member of the group should offer their help to complete the given piece of work.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
SCHOOL >>> for the first three weeks
In just a blink of an eye, it's already the fourth week of school. It would be the end of third and the first half of the fourth to be exact as the year started off mid week.
I had been working part time during the holidays and doing homework whenever I had the time, so when school finally started, I felt a great sense of relief. I had my peers around me, sharing how they spent their holidays either cooped up at home or enjoying their time on an overseas trip. It was exciting, stepping into a new class with many foreign faces, anticipating for the arrival of our unknown subject teachers, hoping they gave less homework and running up and down the corridors during recess in search of ex-classmates.
This excitement however, was short lived as homework started piling up not only in our bags but also in the internet. The teachers had apparently emailed us our work through the internet, believing students would be more motivated to complete it since we had the chance to use the computer. Unluckily for me, my computer had broken down and my only hope to complete my assignments through the computer was to use the computers in the school library during my core humanities lesson(I take core art and lessons are held after school so I have a few free periods during curriculum time when the other students are having their humanities lesson) my only hope was soon dashed as our vice principle forbid us to use the computers during these periods of time.
Fortunately, my father was able to bring his laptop home from work for me to complete the assignments through internet.
The never-ending pile of homework will always be there haunting all students. However I believe that there is a reason for this cycle and that all cycles are created for a good purpose. The purpose being none other than increasing the knowledge of the younger generations, so that they need not waste time and energy on finding out what has already been discovered but build on what earlier generations had came up with.
I had been working part time during the holidays and doing homework whenever I had the time, so when school finally started, I felt a great sense of relief. I had my peers around me, sharing how they spent their holidays either cooped up at home or enjoying their time on an overseas trip. It was exciting, stepping into a new class with many foreign faces, anticipating for the arrival of our unknown subject teachers, hoping they gave less homework and running up and down the corridors during recess in search of ex-classmates.
This excitement however, was short lived as homework started piling up not only in our bags but also in the internet. The teachers had apparently emailed us our work through the internet, believing students would be more motivated to complete it since we had the chance to use the computer. Unluckily for me, my computer had broken down and my only hope to complete my assignments through the computer was to use the computers in the school library during my core humanities lesson(I take core art and lessons are held after school so I have a few free periods during curriculum time when the other students are having their humanities lesson) my only hope was soon dashed as our vice principle forbid us to use the computers during these periods of time.
Fortunately, my father was able to bring his laptop home from work for me to complete the assignments through internet.
The never-ending pile of homework will always be there haunting all students. However I believe that there is a reason for this cycle and that all cycles are created for a good purpose. The purpose being none other than increasing the knowledge of the younger generations, so that they need not waste time and energy on finding out what has already been discovered but build on what earlier generations had came up with.
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