It is a sad thing indeed when the common man stops giving. And by giving I mean charity. Reports such as materialistic monk Mingyi and NKF swindler Durai have swept the nation into an island-wide paranoia of donating money to any organization. Before one donates to a student holding a collection tin on a Saturday (Flag Day), one has to check that the organization the student is helping is certified and checked thoroughly by the government, and even so there are no guarantees that this is fail proof. This can be easily observed through the change in figures i.e. the decreasing amount of donations received (in dollars) throughout Singapore. Imagine having given ALL your properties to a stranger who appears to need it, only to find out that he was acting all along and has fled with your entire family fortune! Anyone would be mad in such a situation. Past donors of Renci, the organization that Mingyi is in charge of, are kicking up a ruckus over this, which is perfectly understandable, of course.
Mingyi, especially after the aftermath of the TT Durai NKF incident, has ruined the name of charity completely, losing the faith of many and hurting many other small organizations that really need the donations. This is becoming more so as questions are raised, questions such as whether there are other scammers out there hiding behind pictures of the handicapped needy on collection tins and brochures. One thing that Mingyi said which really contributed to this was 'Like I say, a lot of religious people, not only myself, are very different now.' This implies that there are others out there like him who also misuses their charity organization’s funds, misappropriating money meant for the needy and instead spending it for their own personal selfish needs.
Despite much protesting done by the faithful followers of Mingyi, the majority still is convinced that the cash amounts in Mingyi’s private banking account speak for themselves, and that such a “monk” should be charged and fined and/or jailed accordingly to the law. His claims to be a “modern” monk ('Buddhist monks, we are no longer living in the mountains, we are not living in the forest. We are in the city now,' ) have received scorn from the prosecution and his defending statement that “actions speak louder than words”, has been turned against him. (“Like your actions in Perth?” as the prosecution described Mingyi’s luxury property in Australia.) His so-called “investments” are mere excuses for a monk who has sinned by pursuing material wealth and, furthermore, who would not want to see justice meted out to him?
The general consequence of such an event has resulted in a general loss for the poor and the needy who really need the donations to carry on with their lives. A solution would be to donate to a charity organization that gives directly to the needy, and not through many other sources such that by the time one dollar of ours reaches the poor, it has diminished into ten cents.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
English Reading Portfolio Term 2 Week 8 due
Raffles InstitutionNigel Ng (18)
3M
English Reading Portfolio
It happened last year at the most unlikely of places: the Singapore Zoological Gardens. Secondary 2 Research Education project-Malaysian Montage Community Problem-Solving. Unlikely as it might seem, it was the first time in my life that I have had to teach. My group had to lead a bunch of Primary 5 students through a tour of the zoo. Although the primary schoolteachers and our teacher-mentor were coming along as well, it was expected that us, the organizers, would be in charge of everything. Well, I had no problems with that. I expected it to be just another project, over by the end of the day.
I was wrong. All was fine, and went according to plan, until I had to explain the facts about some reptiles. I stared at the expectant faces of the primary school kids, some of whom had already lost interest and was looking elsewhere. “Uhh…”I stuttered, suddenly encountering this syndrome known to most as Stage-fright.
It was a godsend when my friend just stepped in and took over. I cursed myself inwardly at this moment of weakness when things were at a crucial stage and braced myself once more.
When it came to the next presentation, about frogs and how they have different mating positions from toads, I was smooth as a salesman, engaging AND enjoying their attention, because of the way I was and not the content I was presenting, I hope. It went much more smoothly after that, with all the facts coming out of me naturally, like what was rehearsed.
Although the project ended like what I had hoped it would be like, with clockwork precision, there was a major difference that has made it memorable to me. It has given me the gift of teaching, of knowing how to impart knowledge to others, a basic survival instinct of all creatures. I have seen the looks of wonder on the faces of the students, and it is not a thing one forgets in one’s life. I have learnt the joy of having people look up to you as a person who knows everything (though this is not true), and the giddying headiness and euphoria one experiences when one realizes that he or she has just educated our future generation. This is one RE that has changed my life, and the way I perceive events around me.
I will never forget it.
(398 words)
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
my commentary.
Maybe the $40 million dollars could have been put to better use. The Orchard Road facelift noticed by only 60 out of 100 people, was completed in early March. Most people did not agree that it was the best use of $40 million dollars, and that the new installations were even dangerous. One such example is the glass panels. Teacher Joyce Tan claims that they are “impractical, especially at night, when people may get drunk and smash it or into it” The Singapore Tourism Boar, the organizer and mastermind of the makeover, has introduced numerous other changes, including new street lamps, co-ordinated street furniture, and potted flower totems.
STB’s director of tourism shopping & dining, Mr. Andrew Phua, explained that “the glass panels are designed for safety and are heat-strengthened. In the event that the glass is hit by hard objects, it will not shatter but will remain intact with cracks on the panel to mitigate potential dangers to the public”.
Mr. Phua goes further to state that “infrastructure works alone” cannot be expected to change overnight. He also says that the makeover can only be completed with a diverse and exciting retail experience “offering variety and complementary dining and entertainment”.
Some people, however, feel that too much money was spent on this makeover and that the changes made were not very noticeable. “The Singapore Tourism Board should be thriftier about it, given the economic situation,” Vithiya Subramaniam, a 19 year-old student, says. Haryannie Hasshim, another student, says that she has only noticed changes around the Ngee Ann City Area, and thinks that they are only worth $1 million. However she feels that it is better & more spacious now. Chris Ang, a 28 year-old financial advisor, shares the same view and thinks that it’s good that the walkway has been widened. Ivan Choo, a 20 year-old student, think that the $40 million is an investment well-spent as Orchard is the primary shopping belt of Singapore.
Housewife Jennifer Symons-Leith thinks that the money could be better spent cleaning up the place instead. She thought, that the pavement looked so dirty that it was flooring from three decades ago. Retiree Rosy Ong also thinks that there should not be more greenery in Singapore that will be constantly maintained.
The $40 million could definitely have been put to better use.
STB’s director of tourism shopping & dining, Mr. Andrew Phua, explained that “the glass panels are designed for safety and are heat-strengthened. In the event that the glass is hit by hard objects, it will not shatter but will remain intact with cracks on the panel to mitigate potential dangers to the public”.
Mr. Phua goes further to state that “infrastructure works alone” cannot be expected to change overnight. He also says that the makeover can only be completed with a diverse and exciting retail experience “offering variety and complementary dining and entertainment”.
Some people, however, feel that too much money was spent on this makeover and that the changes made were not very noticeable. “The Singapore Tourism Board should be thriftier about it, given the economic situation,” Vithiya Subramaniam, a 19 year-old student, says. Haryannie Hasshim, another student, says that she has only noticed changes around the Ngee Ann City Area, and thinks that they are only worth $1 million. However she feels that it is better & more spacious now. Chris Ang, a 28 year-old financial advisor, shares the same view and thinks that it’s good that the walkway has been widened. Ivan Choo, a 20 year-old student, think that the $40 million is an investment well-spent as Orchard is the primary shopping belt of Singapore.
Housewife Jennifer Symons-Leith thinks that the money could be better spent cleaning up the place instead. She thought, that the pavement looked so dirty that it was flooring from three decades ago. Retiree Rosy Ong also thinks that there should not be more greenery in Singapore that will be constantly maintained.
The $40 million could definitely have been put to better use.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Define Exposition.
http://www.google.com.sg/search?hl=en&q=exposition
knock yourself out.
here is a wikipedia explanation.
Exposition may refer to
- Exposition (literary technique), a different type of dramatic structure in which undepicted plots elements are conveyed in dialogue, description, flashback or narrative
hmmm...expository writing seems to be more interesting.....check this out.
Expository writing
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Expository writing is a type of writing, the purpose of which is to inform, explain, describe, or define the author's subject to the reader. Expository text is meant to ‘posit’ information and is the most frequently used type of writing by students in colleges and universities. A well-written exposition remains focused on its topic and listing events in chronological order. Examples of this type of writing are cooking instructions, driving directions and instructions on performing a task. Key words such as first, after, next, then and last usually signal sequential writing. Personal pronouns may be used in such writing, if needed.
Contents[hide] |
[edit]Types of expository writing
 | This article's tone or style may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. Specific concerns may be found on the talk page. See Wikipedia's guide to writing better articles for suggestions. (October 2008) |
[edit]Sequence
This structure is also known as the appropriate ‘process' but not a collection and is a form of expository writing that is used if the author intends to inform his or her readers by listing the order of steps in a process or listing events in chronological order. Examples of this type of writing are cooking instructions, driving directions, and instructions on performing a task.
[edit]Descriptive essay
A descriptive essay is a type of expository writing that enables the reader to feel whatever you are describing. AKA Lisa One should write using all the senses: sight, smell, touch, hearing, and taste. One should also think about what makes the place you are describing important. Where are all the other objects compared to the one you are describing? What do you want the reader to feel? Is your essay descriptive enough to allow the reader to create a mental image in their mind? What does the setting remind you of? Also you have to explain to the reader what you're writing about.
[edit]Classification
Classification is an organizational strategy in which authors arrange groups of objects or ideas according to a common topic in detail. Placing different objects or ideas in categories is a type of classification.
[edit]Comparison
Comparative text shows how two or more subjects are similar or contrasting. This type of structure is often used in determining which is the better of two or more choices.
[edit]Cause and effect
Cause and effect writing identifies the reason for something occurring and lists what occurs because of that reason. This is also known as analysis. Analysis occurs when a sentence describing the cause, is either next to, or combined with an effect.
Or depicts a 'causal chain'. Several events (causes) leading up to another event. (effect) Do not use your brain because its either too small or just doesnt work.
[edit]Also see
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