I just realised I have not covered the biggest event to come to Singapore this year - The Inaugural 2010 Youth Olympic Games. Yes, you heard me right, the FIRST EVER. What an honour for Singapore~! It makes me even more proud to be part of such a great nation. Who would have expected such a small country like ours to host such a mega-scale international sporting event. All the venues, logistics etc were settled in around 2 years and in the blink of an eye, it was 2010.
But that is not what I want to talk about. This post is about what happened 11 Aug 2010. It was a moment I would never forget. The Olympic torch actually started its day at our school! The entire school was rallied to support the runner who was going to run around our school. I was just lined up along the road, around with my classmates. Then came a banner. No one around me took it. So I did. I admit it was reluctantly at first, but then I realised the significance of it, that it was once in a lifetime, even to be a lowly banner holder was a great honour.
But it ended as quickly as it started, and with a quick glimpse of the torch, it headed down the road, disappearing amongst the myriad of escort motorcycles ahead of it. Come to think of it, that torch was nothing special. It was the spirit that defined the torch.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Collaborations
So... In the annual Project's Day Competition that our school organised, my team and I decided to collaborate with the Singapore Zoological Gardens as our project was centered around one theme - Animal conservation. It was pretty nerve-recking for me, as this was the first time I have ever typed a letter to someone in a corporation of such importance, asking for collaboration even!! Luckily I had my group mates and mentor to vet the letter for me, who knows I could have accidentally offended the recipient!
The next few days were very tense. I awaited the Zoo's request as to whether they will agree with our request. They soon replied and even said we could meet up for further discussion! I was truly relieved. But this did not mean they agreed, just that they did not reject our request flatly. ;) I sent a reply asking of a suitable date to meet, but they took very long to answer and soon, our group grew out of patience. First it was me who called, no one answered. Then it came Yihan's turn. He had more luck, and after a while of talking was told that the guy who was in charge of handling our case was busy with events, and would only be free in a few days' time.
Long story short, we were able to contact him in the end and even picked a date for a discussion - 23 Aug.
I really can't wait to meet up with them. Of course, I am nervous too since this is my first time discussing a collaboration with such a big corporation. But there is always a first time eh? (:
The next few days were very tense. I awaited the Zoo's request as to whether they will agree with our request. They soon replied and even said we could meet up for further discussion! I was truly relieved. But this did not mean they agreed, just that they did not reject our request flatly. ;) I sent a reply asking of a suitable date to meet, but they took very long to answer and soon, our group grew out of patience. First it was me who called, no one answered. Then it came Yihan's turn. He had more luck, and after a while of talking was told that the guy who was in charge of handling our case was busy with events, and would only be free in a few days' time.
Long story short, we were able to contact him in the end and even picked a date for a discussion - 23 Aug.
I really can't wait to meet up with them. Of course, I am nervous too since this is my first time discussing a collaboration with such a big corporation. But there is always a first time eh? (:
Thinking
I just realised how important thinking is. Be it in depth thinking or just... Plain thinking about what to eat for dinner. No matter what we do in life, we will always need to think. No matter how much one denies it, thinking is relevant to everything in life, yes, EVERYTHING. However, I would like to address only the second level of thinking, that is - In depth thinking.
In our school there is an hour every week dedicated to just one thing. Thinking. You might wonder, ponder, THINK, "why waste an entire hour just to develop one's thinking, isn't our current level of thinking sufficient enough?" Well let me tell you dear reader, you are not thinking well enough when you're making such a statement. This specialised lesson not only stimulates us to think deeper, it heightens our understanding, and the higher level of thinking that is nurtured through this lesson enables us to perform better in the other subjects. Then again, it depends on the user, and how he effectively manages to incorporate it into his daily life, not just in his studies.
This lesson uses a series of methods, probing into different aspects of thinking. For example, we are taught to consolidate our thoughts into various diagrams such as mindmaps and concept maps, whichever is more apt. This facilitates more efficient learning and absorption of concepts as compared to mindless staring at a textbook, hoping that the words might just be able to diffuse into us. And this is just one of the many benefits of having such a lesson. I would love to describe everything that this lesson ahs taught us, but it is just too much. Hence I shall leave you with this thought.
What are you thinking right now?
In our school there is an hour every week dedicated to just one thing. Thinking. You might wonder, ponder, THINK, "why waste an entire hour just to develop one's thinking, isn't our current level of thinking sufficient enough?" Well let me tell you dear reader, you are not thinking well enough when you're making such a statement. This specialised lesson not only stimulates us to think deeper, it heightens our understanding, and the higher level of thinking that is nurtured through this lesson enables us to perform better in the other subjects. Then again, it depends on the user, and how he effectively manages to incorporate it into his daily life, not just in his studies.
This lesson uses a series of methods, probing into different aspects of thinking. For example, we are taught to consolidate our thoughts into various diagrams such as mindmaps and concept maps, whichever is more apt. This facilitates more efficient learning and absorption of concepts as compared to mindless staring at a textbook, hoping that the words might just be able to diffuse into us. And this is just one of the many benefits of having such a lesson. I would love to describe everything that this lesson ahs taught us, but it is just too much. Hence I shall leave you with this thought.
What are you thinking right now?
Term Test!!!
Tests.
This one word is capable of scaring even the strongest of students. One might realise that even if he or she revises intensely, once you see the paper, your mind becomes blank and goes into complete shock. (What I call "script shock") From people who are fondly term "muggers" to those who barely even know such a topic existed, most students will face this. Of course, some manage to get their composure back and immediately brainstorms on the essay or recollects memories of what they have revised for that open-ended answer.
Nonetheless, this is no excuse to just throw away all your books and not listen in class. YOU STILL HAVE TO STUDY. ;) Stuck with no idea how to revise? I myself am in no position to comment and give you any suggestions but nevertheless, here are some ideas:
1) Read through your textbook! For subjects that require alot of massive readings, it is always helpful to read through your textbook. Much (thought not all) the information you will need is in there! Of course, learn to selectively read, and not just read all at one go. It might give you "indigestion". (:
Alas, I would like to add on more ideas but to be honest, I am sure everyone knows as much and more than I do about revising. Hmm, maybe I will write another post soon... Till then, bye! :)
This one word is capable of scaring even the strongest of students. One might realise that even if he or she revises intensely, once you see the paper, your mind becomes blank and goes into complete shock. (What I call "script shock") From people who are fondly term "muggers" to those who barely even know such a topic existed, most students will face this. Of course, some manage to get their composure back and immediately brainstorms on the essay or recollects memories of what they have revised for that open-ended answer.
Nonetheless, this is no excuse to just throw away all your books and not listen in class. YOU STILL HAVE TO STUDY. ;) Stuck with no idea how to revise? I myself am in no position to comment and give you any suggestions but nevertheless, here are some ideas:
1) Read through your textbook! For subjects that require alot of massive readings, it is always helpful to read through your textbook. Much (thought not all) the information you will need is in there! Of course, learn to selectively read, and not just read all at one go. It might give you "indigestion". (:
Alas, I would like to add on more ideas but to be honest, I am sure everyone knows as much and more than I do about revising. Hmm, maybe I will write another post soon... Till then, bye! :)
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