Movies galore...

Have been catching up on movies that I'd missed and the new ones that just came out...here are some interesting ones that I'll recommend:

1) Coach Carter - pretty old show with the familiar inspirational message, but still touching all the same. I liked this quote from the show, although it sounds a little contradictory when I read it again now:
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

2) Blood Diamond - don't like Leonardo DiCaprio but thought he played the lead pretty well. The 'short-sleeve or long-sleeve' question asked before the RUF rebels chopped off people's limbs reminded me of our war lecture... Also gave a pretty real portrayal of how child soldiers are brain-washed. Check out the movie website for some facts and figures of conflict diamonds: http://blooddiamondmovie.warnerbros.com/main.html

3) The Kingdom - watched this today...it's a fictional movie about terrorism in Saudi Arabia. It's a thriller rather than a political movie but the psyche of terrorists and their victims, and the never-ending cycle of terrorism and war were still clearly portrayed. Of course, there is still a hint of the 'America saves the day' message...but well, this is Hollywood. Especially like the ending...sad but true

4) Enchanted - will be watching this over the weekend so can't give you a low-down on the plot but it looks pretty funny. One of the few brainless funny shows that is worth watching I think. Doesn't seem to be many such movies these holiday season...

5) Criminal Minds - not a movie but a TV series. Channel 5 is showing it every Tuesday. Those of you who like CSI might like this. Have been catching up on the first 2 seasons and am hooked! This is about a group of profilers who analyses the behaviour and psychology of criminals. Very cool! It shows how twisted human minds can be...

Enjoy!

Calculate your carbon footprint...

Have been doing spring cleaning and threw away my A-level Maths, Chem and Bio notes! Ha, I studied so hard for my As that I couldn't bear to throw them away...guess it's finally time to throw them out since I can't understand half of them (make that 90%!) anymore. So has anyone started a bonfire to burn your notes yet? I'm sure the GP stuff will be the first to go!

Or maybe recycling the notes will be a better option 'cos bonfires are not exactly great for the environment :) Anyway, since 'environment' was a pet topic for so many of you, you might want to check out this website: http://www.carbonfootprint.com/
You can check how large your carbon footprint is and even plant a tree to offset it...

Netiquette

Ha, am back into GP tutor mode...
This issue came up during your exams so not sure how many of you read about it. Some students won a visit by the boyband Click Five in a radio contest but their principal disallowed the visit. The students wrote in to STOMP to complain about the school's decision and the comments and discussion became quite heated and pretty ugly. (You can read about it here - http://mediaclub.stomp.com.sg/hotstuff/view/page/17)
Thought this article about how many teens are unable to use the media appropriately to voice their opinions is pretty good food-for-thought, especially about the fine balance between media freedom and responsibility....haha, in case you miss GP...
Btw, STOMP can be rather entertaining when you are bored..here are 2 threads that might be interesting for all of you: http://talkback.stomp.com.sg/forums/showthread.php?t=27789, http://talkback.stomp.com.sg/forums/showthread.php?t=14459

Many young users still fall short in netiquette
TESSA WONG / The Straits Times / 12/11/2007

A RECENT incident involving an online campaign by local teens has shown that Net-savviness and brash immaturity make a lousy mix.

For the uninitiated, the principal of a local girls’ school decided to cancel a scheduled appearance of boyband The Click Five, even though hundreds of students had voted for their appearance in an online contest hosted by radio station 987FM.

A series of unhappy letters from students was published on Stomp’s Media Club site, accusing the school of trampling on student rights. The resulting online discussions degenerated into mud slinging and flaming, not just of the school’s authorities, but among students too.

While I’m all for students fighting for their rights, it was disappointing to see the incident turn into a bitter, rude online whinge-fest. If anything, it only reinforced the principal’s position that the students were just not mature enough.

Let’s face it, this kind of unbridled online behaviour is pretty typical of young users nowadays. Many see the Internet these days as a wailing wall, but too few realise – or care – that it is also a platform by which they are publicly judged.

They don’t understand that going too far in venting their frustrations usually means winding up with egg on their faces, and looking far worse than the people who wronged them.

Perhaps, the incident also shows that current efforts by educators to teach teens responsible Internet behaviour are still woefully inadequate.

This isn’t a new problem.

For years, the Government and the media have emphasised the pressing need to educate youths on responsible, safe conduct online.

Concrete steps have been taken, in the form of school talks by community groups and the Media Development Authority.

This year, cyber wellness programmes have also become a small component of the civics and moral education curriculum for lower primary and lower secondary students.

But when such pettiness ensues, I wonder whether this is really enough, and whether such lessons are merely going in one ear and out the other.

The feeling I get from talking to Net-savvy teens is that many still cannot be bothered, and often brush off advice on netiquette and safe conduct on the Net.

I suppose that cannot be helped. After all, any normal teen automatically switches off at the first sign of nagging. I remember snoozing through moral education classes in school too – more often than not, they tended to be filled with didactic, preachy content.

So what can be done?

Well, teens could be taught how to think more critically about their online interactions, and “Net deportment” – how to carry yourself online without coming across as churlish – could be emphasised more strongly in the curriculum, too.

But most importantly, instead of giving them worksheets or pithy speeches on responsibility, educators and parents could engage teens regularly in constructive discussions about what is appropriate online behaviour.

This means parents first need to understand the importance of the new media in a teen’s life; that is vital, considering they use the Internet in every aspect of their lives, from socialising and shopping to entertainment and communication.

Parents can avoid shying away from conversations with their teens about blogs or social networks, and instead get themselves involved with such new media.

How better to understand their children’s Internet habits, and hence initiate such dialogue?

The more adults are willing to open up and ask the young how they live their wired lives, the easier it may be to bond with them, impart the right values, and teach the right lessons.

For any teenager reading this, don’t push away Mum and Dad.

Yes, it can get weird teaching them how to use things like Facebook. But they mean well, and this could be a good opportunity for you to help them understand your life and your needs.

They may not understand the technical applications, but they have experience when it comes to dealing with emotions.

Chances are, they will be able to guide you on the right way to handle your feelings and behave online.
Better this than risking all that egg on your face.

Signboard competition - attractive prizes to be won!

This is especially for Joanna (who insists there must be a formal competition), on the occasion of the end of the exams for her ha!
Let's see how many of you are willing to take up this challenge!

Rewrite this sign in Standard English

Rules and Regulations:
- Entries must be posted in the 'Comments' section of this post
- Group entries are welcome
- Multiple entries are welcome
- Do check the dictionary or grammar books. You are supposed to correct the mistakes, not add to them!
- Do not translate the Thai words, the organiser can't read them anyway

Prizes:
1st prize - Big mystery prize
2nd prize - Medium mystery prize
3rd prize - Small mystery prize
* prizes will be awarded based on the 3 best entries because the organiser is not confident of getting perfect answers
* prizes may be cash, vouchers or food, depending on how rich the organiser feels at that point in time. Rest assured that prizes will be better than 'a date with Ms Peh'
* prizes are guaranteed. The organiser will not abscond with the prizes and she can always be contacted at XXJC
* prizes that are not claimed by March 2008 (after the release of the A-level results) will go into the 'Feed Ms Peh' fund, a local charity (donations are always welcome)

Closing Date - 24th December 2007 (results will be announced on Christmas Day)

Healthy lifestyle...

This is to celebrate the end of the exams for those of you who had the last paper today! Yayy, it's finally over! Bio, lit, computing and art people, hang in there, going to be over soon!

Wish I had seen this when I was teaching fallacies, slippery slope arguments, overgeneralisation and sweeping statements...oops, am I reminding you all of things you don't wish to remember?! (or have already forgotten!)

QUESTION & ANSWER SESSION ON HEALTH
Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster.
Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good !

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!!... Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO.. Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It's the best feel-good food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape!

wish our school canteen adheres to these 'rules'....

That packet of biscuits....

I like this 'cos it's a good reminder for someone like me who has a bad habit of being too quick to speak and to judge others...

PacoteDeBiscoitos

Have Fun!

Am going through my old emails to dig up funny pics and powerpoint presentations to amuse any bored people who still come up here...if you've got any interesting stuff that I can put up here do email me so we can keep ourselves entertained over the holidays :)


Doesn't this remind you of a certain compre paper? (Hint: GP2007 aargh!!)

Hm...I prefer coke to pepsi...though I don't really think there's a difference in taste :P
I wish there's an option like this for teachers...
I love this! Frog legs anyone?

This is how my cousin's koi feels when we have fish for dinner in front of his tank...


The grass is always greener on the other side...

British humour

Nope, there are no language errors in these signs...just some typical tongue-in-cheeck British humour...

Spot the mistakes!

A signboard in Thailand...

Animal pictures...

These photos are especially for sebastian and joanna :D

What a life! Your JC years....

One of my students emailed this to me...I love it 'cos I think it's a really apt summary of a part of your JC days... I'm sure you've had a more fulfilling 2 years than this, but at this point in time, these cartoons probably sum up what you are feeling. Enjoy!

New school semester
During the 1st week
During the 2nd week
Before mid-term tests
During mid-term tests
After mid-term tests
Before final exams
At the release of the final exams schedule
7 days before final exams
6 days before final exams
5 days before final exams
4 days before final exams
3 days before final exams
2 days before final exams
1 days before final exams
The night before final exams
1 hour before final exams
During the final exams
After walking out from the exam hall

Repeat...

Take heart! It's going to be over before you know it!

Isn't it amazing the things pp do? All these are pictures cut out from a single sheet of paper (they look better when you click on them to see the bigger pic)

more jokes

Whenever I read things like these, I wish I had copied down and compiled funny sentences from your GP essays...oh well, maybe will do that for the next batch...may be able to sell them as a joke book :)
Of course, reading this reminds me that Chinese teachers have the same prob as GP tutors!

1.题目 : 原来
小朋友写 : 原来他是我爸爸。
老师评语 : 妈妈关切一下

2. 题目: ..一边 ...........一边 ............ ..
小朋友写: 他一边脱衣服,一边穿裤子 .
老师评语: 他到底要脱还是要穿啊~~

3. 题目: 其中
小朋友写: 我的其中一只左脚受伤了。
老师评语: 你是蜈蚣？

4.題目 : 你看
小朋友写 : 你看什么看 ! 没看过啊

5. 照样造句
例题: 你(唱歌 ) 我( 跳舞)
小朋友写 : 你( 好吗) 我 (很好)
老师评语: 你在写英文翻译吗 ??

6.题目 : 陆陆续续
小朋友写 : 下班了，爸爸陆陆续续的回来。
老师评语 : 你到底有几个爸爸呀?

7.题目 : 欣欣向荣- 比喻生长美好的样子。
小朋友写: 我的弟弟长得欣欣向荣。
老师评语: 孩子，你弟弟是植物人吗... 还有一个更瞎的 …
小朋友写: 欣欣向荣荣告白。
老师评语: 连续剧不要看太多 ~~

8. 题目: 谢谢 ....因为 ......
小朋友写: 我要谢谢妈妈 ,因为她每天都帮我写作业 ......
老师评语: 原来你的作业是妈妈写的!!!!!!!

9. 题目: 难过
小朋友写: 我家门前有条水沟很难过。
老师评语: 老师更难过 ......

10. 题目: 天才
小朋友写: 我３天才洗一次澡。
老师评语: 要每天洗才干净 ~~

11. 題目: 又 .....又 .....
小朋友寫: 我的妈妈又矮又高又瘦又肥。
老师评语: 你妈妈......是怪物吗 ?

12 果然
上课小朋友说：昨天我吃了水果，然后又喝了凉水
老师：这是词组，不能分开造句。
小朋友又说：老师，我还没说完呢，果然晚上我拉肚子了！
老师： …………

13 瓜分
小朋友：大傻瓜分不清是非
老师：小傻瓜也分不清

It's finally over!!!

Was going to post this up yesterday but was too busy celebrating the end of the paper :)

I'm sure all (hmm, should I use an absolute word?! maybe some of you like it!) of you are glad that you are free from my 'suaning' and nagging! It's been fun teaching all of you...am going to miss my kaypo D4, confused & playful E4 and 'can't give out papers properly' H5! And all my consultation groups! Ha, don't think your juniors will be as happening as all of you :)

It's been a long and tiring 2 yrs for all of you and myself. Yes, though there were times when I really wanted to use the 'shoot to kill' policy on those people who kept spelling 'extent' wrongly, or couldn't remember the characteristics of Singapore ha... and I'm sure sometimes you felt like doing the same to me as well when you had no idea what I was blabbering about! But we've walked through it together and whatever the results, you should all be proud of yourselves for all the effort that you've put in to the subject..you are the most hardworking bunch I've taught (hmm...though that doesn't say much since I haven't taught many batches).

Hope I've managed to impart some knowledge and skills to all of you...hopefully all of you are now more critical readers and thinkers who will be able to have intelligent conversations with other people haha!

I'll continue to post things up here (at least for a while)...some fun stuff or current affairs maybe (just to keep you up to date! Don't stop reading the newspapers!). Do drop by here often and keep me updated on your lives....I am always interested to know how my ex-students (wah, so fast!) are doing post-JC.

p.s. don't worry about the results and whether you've done the essay/compre correctly ok. There's no point in revisiting the past and thinking about the 'should have' and 'should have not'...there's nothing you can change. The main thing is that it's over, and you've tried your best...just look ahead, move on and wait for the results next year. Concentrate on your other subjects and get As for those!

Ok...I shall stop nagging...