Good intentions can bring about as much destruction as an evil conqueror. Either way, the result is the same. - Zensunni Lament
Thoughts become weapons. Philosophies are distinct reasons for war. Good intentions are the most destructive arsenal of all. - Cogitor Kwyna
Often we were asked this question: In times of war, which is responsible for the death and destruction? The weapon or the wielder? Most people will give the rather obvious answer. "Of coz' the wielders are responsible." "If there are only weapons, and no people to use them to kill one another, there will not be unnecessary casualties and destruction." "Weapons are created by wielders, too." Most of us will have these thoughts when asked this question. But is it really true? From my personal point of view, I think that it is half-correct. Yes, the people using the weapons should be responsible. However, in modern times, soldiers use guns, missiles, rockets, mines, tanks, fighter planes and stuff. They use machines. Machines that are created to kill. When soldiers take these weapons and go to the battlefield, they become as cold-blooded as the machine. They just press the trigger and let the weapons do the killing. They can't feel much besides the recoil and pain from shots. It's not like the ancient times where wars and battles were fought melee and using swords and spears. The fighting would be up-close. You can hear your enemy scream in pain when you slash or stab him. You can feel the hot blood splashing all around you. You can see your friends and comrades dying first hand with your own eyes. You can understand the horrors of war. So you can't really blame those who wields the weapons. Also, there's another answer to the question. Besides the weapons and the wielders, there's another thing that can be held responsible. It's the "Good Intentions". People pick up arms and fight wars with their "Good Intentions." Like they join the battle so that they could defend their country, their home. Or maybe to uphold justice. It could be because they wanted to defeat the aggressor and stop them from attacking other countries. It could be because they wanted to live. It could be because they desire better living and working conditions. It could be because they wanted their country to regain their lost national pride. Remember World War I and World War II? People who fight for "Good Intentions", fight the hardest. That could result in massive destruction too. And that would be the recoil of the most dangerous weapon of all time.
Utakata Hanabi
Sasuke x Sakura
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Friday, June 3, 2011
Realise
How often it is that the angry man rages denial of what his inner self is telling him. - The Collected Sayings of Muad'dib by the Princess Irulan
Once again, before I begin anything, I shall update you about the certain events of my life these few days. As you should've known from my previous post, I've had my Chinese 'O' Level Examination just a few days ago. Well, I personally think that I did average for Paper 1 (the composition and situational writing) and not bad for Paper 2 (the comprehension). I still have a tinge of regret after the exam, coz' I realised that I made some silly mistakes. That really was careless of me. The extended lessons are still going on till the end of next week, which means that I've work to do. Just yesterday, I've caught "Pirates of The Carribean: On Stranger Tides" with 3 of my friends after school to just chill out a bit and enjoy ourselves (I'm a Pirates fan by the way). This was not bad although it was a little too predictable. I'm not sure whether it's me or are the movies nowadays really so predictable?? I'm not sure myself. Let's get to the main topic.
After reading up a few blogs recently, I realised that generally, bloggers have different styles of blog post. Some post short and sweet posts and let the photographs do the saying. Some will just post about their daily life, keeping it short. Some will write really long essays, mostly expressing their thoughts on something or so. Some will mix all styles together, having a variety. Of course, there are also bloggers that do business. Mine is obviously the long essay type, without any doubt. But I'm sure there are people who prefer short posts with photographs or any other type I've mentioned above than to some lengthy old grandmother story. I'm not asking anyone of you to try to 'like' this kind of blog post, I also have my own preference. But there's a type of blog posts that I don't really like. Some bloggers just rant and rave about someone/something that 'offended' them all the time. I'm pretty sure almost every one of you readers/bloggers have come across a blog whereby the blogger condemns, complains, swears, or write anything negative to a particular person or a group. They might even be one of you here, reading this very post. So long as you don't break the rules and regulations AND the law, you can practically do anything in your blog. But there are cases whereby people make bad comments on people and they get caught and prosecuted in the process, punished for their actions. Like a case where the student gets lectured badly by the teacher and the student goes home, turn on the computer and start to post negative comments on the teacher, swearing, scolding and even threatening. Or a case where cyber-bullying occurs. If you are like the bloggers I've described here, I meant no offence. But please bear in mind, that if you're one of the victims of such acts, I truly agree that you wouldn't feel any better than any of the other victims that had suffered the same treatment. We're all humans, and we all do make mistakes. If they have offended you, please don't do the same, especially in public like the Internet. And if you have done the similar act, it's not too late to realise your mistake.
Once again, before I begin anything, I shall update you about the certain events of my life these few days. As you should've known from my previous post, I've had my Chinese 'O' Level Examination just a few days ago. Well, I personally think that I did average for Paper 1 (the composition and situational writing) and not bad for Paper 2 (the comprehension). I still have a tinge of regret after the exam, coz' I realised that I made some silly mistakes. That really was careless of me. The extended lessons are still going on till the end of next week, which means that I've work to do. Just yesterday, I've caught "Pirates of The Carribean: On Stranger Tides" with 3 of my friends after school to just chill out a bit and enjoy ourselves (I'm a Pirates fan by the way). This was not bad although it was a little too predictable. I'm not sure whether it's me or are the movies nowadays really so predictable?? I'm not sure myself. Let's get to the main topic.
After reading up a few blogs recently, I realised that generally, bloggers have different styles of blog post. Some post short and sweet posts and let the photographs do the saying. Some will just post about their daily life, keeping it short. Some will write really long essays, mostly expressing their thoughts on something or so. Some will mix all styles together, having a variety. Of course, there are also bloggers that do business. Mine is obviously the long essay type, without any doubt. But I'm sure there are people who prefer short posts with photographs or any other type I've mentioned above than to some lengthy old grandmother story. I'm not asking anyone of you to try to 'like' this kind of blog post, I also have my own preference. But there's a type of blog posts that I don't really like. Some bloggers just rant and rave about someone/something that 'offended' them all the time. I'm pretty sure almost every one of you readers/bloggers have come across a blog whereby the blogger condemns, complains, swears, or write anything negative to a particular person or a group. They might even be one of you here, reading this very post. So long as you don't break the rules and regulations AND the law, you can practically do anything in your blog. But there are cases whereby people make bad comments on people and they get caught and prosecuted in the process, punished for their actions. Like a case where the student gets lectured badly by the teacher and the student goes home, turn on the computer and start to post negative comments on the teacher, swearing, scolding and even threatening. Or a case where cyber-bullying occurs. If you are like the bloggers I've described here, I meant no offence. But please bear in mind, that if you're one of the victims of such acts, I truly agree that you wouldn't feel any better than any of the other victims that had suffered the same treatment. We're all humans, and we all do make mistakes. If they have offended you, please don't do the same, especially in public like the Internet. And if you have done the similar act, it's not too late to realise your mistake.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
The Starting Line
Today is the day before my Chinese 'O' Level Examinations. I have had minor anxiety attacks these few days, even nightmares of chinese vocabulary. To put it simply, I'm worried. Worried that the paper will make things difficult for me to achieve my A1 grade. Worried that many others like me will score as high or even higher than me (I was top in Chinese in my school, it's just pressure from mostly myself to do better than most if not all of my classmates.). Worried that I might screw up the paper, missing my A1 target and having the re-take the exam during the November period. Before every 'important' exam, I would feel this way. Nervous, worried, scared, imagining the worst, and so on. I'm pretty sure every one else feels almost the same. I've been through the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), and that feeling I had back then still can't be compared to this. I am trying to relax myself and keep my cool. But I'm not sure whether I can keep myself cool and able to think properly during the exam itself that will happen in about ten and a half hours. I can already see myself dressed in the usual school uniform, wearing my school shoes and taking in a deep breath before I step out of the house early tomorrow. I always do that during examinations. This is it. All the hard work, the homework torture, the teacher's care and support and the education we received these four years will be put to the test soon. This is what we have gone through it all for. And this will be the first in the many others to come. I must not fail (not literally 'fail' an exam, but 'fail' to achieve my target). Wish me luck.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Resist
Tis one thing be tempted, another thing to fall - William Shakespeare
It's been rather long since I've posted. Well, more than a week seems long enough. Before I start on anything, I shall inform you guys about some of the stuff that happened during these days which I didn't have the time to post. I've got back my results, and true enough, I have scored what I've expected. There wasn't really anything unexpected if you don't count the fact that I failed Social Studies by 2 points. Damn it. Also, there had been some minor disputes within the "Brotherhood" (my friendly yet a little foolish 'clique'), that caused it to be disbanded and 'banded' again. Get the idea? We actually made the changes using the method of 'popular votes' and we would vote for our choice. That was purely for fun, though. Also, my Mother Tongue 'O' Level Exam is just 5 days away. I am anxious and obviously afraid that I might screw it up and not achieve my intended A1. It's getting more stressful as each hour pass by. I really hope that I will not screw up and can get my desired A1. If that happens, I will not have to re-take the exam and can relieve the burden of the Mother Tongue subject on my shoulders, having the extra time to focus on other subjects which desperately needed revision and practice. Well, let's get back to the main topic.
Main topic: Temptation. There's Chapel service at school today (for every Wednesday), and the Reverend preached on "How to defeat Temptation". Sounds cool? He used four 'R's to teach us on the solution to Temptation. True enough, Temptations are everywhere. If you didn't realise it, now you do. Food, Rest, Glory, Fame, Possession, Money etc. Just take some time to look around. You will find temptations. The computer you are staring at right now is already one. You just turn left, you will find another one or two or even much more. Turn right, you'll find another. I mean it when I said 'everywhere'. The Reverend told us the four 'R's as: Re-focus, Reveal, Realise, Resist. I can't really remember which comes first; Reveal or Realise, but they should either take the second or third place. Re-focus generally mean to "zoom out" of your sight or just let the particular temptation out of your sight by just walking away from it and focus on other important things. Reveal meant telling someone about your weakness to a particular temptation and try to get help. Friends and family will offer help to you. Realise meant to discover and be aware for your vulnerability to temptations and use measures to counter them. Resist simply meant what it meant in the dictionary. Be unyielding to temptation, and it will leave you. I find this very useful and certainly hope that you will find solutions to resist the temptations of your life.
It's been rather long since I've posted. Well, more than a week seems long enough. Before I start on anything, I shall inform you guys about some of the stuff that happened during these days which I didn't have the time to post. I've got back my results, and true enough, I have scored what I've expected. There wasn't really anything unexpected if you don't count the fact that I failed Social Studies by 2 points. Damn it. Also, there had been some minor disputes within the "Brotherhood" (my friendly yet a little foolish 'clique'), that caused it to be disbanded and 'banded' again. Get the idea? We actually made the changes using the method of 'popular votes' and we would vote for our choice. That was purely for fun, though. Also, my Mother Tongue 'O' Level Exam is just 5 days away. I am anxious and obviously afraid that I might screw it up and not achieve my intended A1. It's getting more stressful as each hour pass by. I really hope that I will not screw up and can get my desired A1. If that happens, I will not have to re-take the exam and can relieve the burden of the Mother Tongue subject on my shoulders, having the extra time to focus on other subjects which desperately needed revision and practice. Well, let's get back to the main topic.
Main topic: Temptation. There's Chapel service at school today (for every Wednesday), and the Reverend preached on "How to defeat Temptation". Sounds cool? He used four 'R's to teach us on the solution to Temptation. True enough, Temptations are everywhere. If you didn't realise it, now you do. Food, Rest, Glory, Fame, Possession, Money etc. Just take some time to look around. You will find temptations. The computer you are staring at right now is already one. You just turn left, you will find another one or two or even much more. Turn right, you'll find another. I mean it when I said 'everywhere'. The Reverend told us the four 'R's as: Re-focus, Reveal, Realise, Resist. I can't really remember which comes first; Reveal or Realise, but they should either take the second or third place. Re-focus generally mean to "zoom out" of your sight or just let the particular temptation out of your sight by just walking away from it and focus on other important things. Reveal meant telling someone about your weakness to a particular temptation and try to get help. Friends and family will offer help to you. Realise meant to discover and be aware for your vulnerability to temptations and use measures to counter them. Resist simply meant what it meant in the dictionary. Be unyielding to temptation, and it will leave you. I find this very useful and certainly hope that you will find solutions to resist the temptations of your life.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Reset
Intelligence takes chance with limited data in an arena where mistakes are not only possible but also necessary. - Darwi Odrade
My exams are officially over. My troubles, stress, pressure are gone. Really? Nope. I'm still feeling them after approximately 6 hours and 13 minutes removed from the examinations schedule. Why? It is supposed to be the time when you finally let everything out and just 'de-stress'. It's time for some R&R(Rest & Relax/Recover). We, the examination candidates, have been thrown questions by questions throughout the past 2/3 weeks. I'd gladly say that we've done our best and it's time to finally get some rest. But I'm still under the stress. It's because I know that it's not over. Well, in a few days time, we would be taking our results back. That's the deciding moment. All the effort we have or have not put in lies in the results. I understand the fact that I've screwed up a few of my papers. But that alone does not seem to be a reason enough to make me still under the exam stress. Yes, I also know that we're soon approaching the final lap of our secondary school journey. On 30th May, which is just a little more than 2 weeks, we will have a Mother Tongue O-level paper. It's gonna be a serious battle. Then after that, the O-level Oral Exam will soon come. Then the Prelimary Examinations we will have in our school. And finally, we will find ourselves staring down on the exam papers we've been working so hard for in order to score high in those papers so that we can get into schools/courses of our choice. Time will fly. Before we know it, we will be revising like everyday, preparing for our objective after these 4 years of secondary school life. That's more than reason enough for me to not fully rest and relax. Soon, I'll continue the weekly study schedule, then the revision will get more and more intense. After pacing for so long, we are all gearing up for the final sprint to the finishing line. After this Mid-Year Examinations, the scoreboard has been reset, and the final quarter will soon start (If you watch NBA, you'll know what I mean). On my birthday and my jie's birthday, I finally saw her online. After a nostalgic and familiar friendly conversation, she told me to study hard and get into a Junior College. Without saying out loud, I promised her. Although I may not get into a JC, but I intend to keep my promise to study hard and get good results. Wish me luck, my friends.
My exams are officially over. My troubles, stress, pressure are gone. Really? Nope. I'm still feeling them after approximately 6 hours and 13 minutes removed from the examinations schedule. Why? It is supposed to be the time when you finally let everything out and just 'de-stress'. It's time for some R&R(Rest & Relax/Recover). We, the examination candidates, have been thrown questions by questions throughout the past 2/3 weeks. I'd gladly say that we've done our best and it's time to finally get some rest. But I'm still under the stress. It's because I know that it's not over. Well, in a few days time, we would be taking our results back. That's the deciding moment. All the effort we have or have not put in lies in the results. I understand the fact that I've screwed up a few of my papers. But that alone does not seem to be a reason enough to make me still under the exam stress. Yes, I also know that we're soon approaching the final lap of our secondary school journey. On 30th May, which is just a little more than 2 weeks, we will have a Mother Tongue O-level paper. It's gonna be a serious battle. Then after that, the O-level Oral Exam will soon come. Then the Prelimary Examinations we will have in our school. And finally, we will find ourselves staring down on the exam papers we've been working so hard for in order to score high in those papers so that we can get into schools/courses of our choice. Time will fly. Before we know it, we will be revising like everyday, preparing for our objective after these 4 years of secondary school life. That's more than reason enough for me to not fully rest and relax. Soon, I'll continue the weekly study schedule, then the revision will get more and more intense. After pacing for so long, we are all gearing up for the final sprint to the finishing line. After this Mid-Year Examinations, the scoreboard has been reset, and the final quarter will soon start (If you watch NBA, you'll know what I mean). On my birthday and my jie's birthday, I finally saw her online. After a nostalgic and familiar friendly conversation, she told me to study hard and get into a Junior College. Without saying out loud, I promised her. Although I may not get into a JC, but I intend to keep my promise to study hard and get good results. Wish me luck, my friends.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Birthday
From our birthday, until we die,
Is but the winking of an eye.
- William Butler Yeats
If you guys have realised, all my recent relevant blog posts have a title that starts with 'Re...' This post will be different. Yes, you should have guessed it. Today it's my birthday. May 7th. I am not someone that actually really view my birthday as of great importance. Or even any importance at all. To me, birthdays are just the proof of our existence. Nothing more, nothing less. And of course, the pain our mothers have to go through to give birth to us. And to sing a birthday song, give birthday presents, send birthday wishes... These are special acts. Acts indicating that they recognise and appreciate your existence in their life. This is what Birthdays generally mean to me. Special days that come once in a year. Those who are born on Feb 29, have to wait 4 years though. I don't really actually want any birthday presents, but I like to give birthday presents instead. To me, birthdays of my friends are of much more significance. There's also someone else's birthday today. My jie's(god-sister) birthday. If you guys have read my previous post on her, you would know our relationship and how it came about. We share the same birthday. That really surprised me when she told me that she was born on May 7th too. Just that she's older than me by age. I'm waiting for her to come online so that I could wish her Happy Birthday. Today is also the polling day for Singapore for the General Elections. I'm really excited today. There's just one thing that troubles me on my 16th Birthday. My injured leg. Crap.
Is but the winking of an eye.
- William Butler Yeats
If you guys have realised, all my recent relevant blog posts have a title that starts with 'Re...' This post will be different. Yes, you should have guessed it. Today it's my birthday. May 7th. I am not someone that actually really view my birthday as of great importance. Or even any importance at all. To me, birthdays are just the proof of our existence. Nothing more, nothing less. And of course, the pain our mothers have to go through to give birth to us. And to sing a birthday song, give birthday presents, send birthday wishes... These are special acts. Acts indicating that they recognise and appreciate your existence in their life. This is what Birthdays generally mean to me. Special days that come once in a year. Those who are born on Feb 29, have to wait 4 years though. I don't really actually want any birthday presents, but I like to give birthday presents instead. To me, birthdays of my friends are of much more significance. There's also someone else's birthday today. My jie's(god-sister) birthday. If you guys have read my previous post on her, you would know our relationship and how it came about. We share the same birthday. That really surprised me when she told me that she was born on May 7th too. Just that she's older than me by age. I'm waiting for her to come online so that I could wish her Happy Birthday. Today is also the polling day for Singapore for the General Elections. I'm really excited today. There's just one thing that troubles me on my 16th Birthday. My injured leg. Crap.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Revulsion
The coward will not fight. The fool refuses to see necessity. The scoundrel puts himself ahead of humanity. - Xavier Harkonnen
I must give my deepest apologies to my faithful readers wherever you are, as I've not posted much and anything at all these few days. The Mid-Year Examinations have officially started yesterday and I've took 2 papers already by the end of today. It will be a busy fortnight for me so I too will not post much because I will be concentrating on revising and preparing for the exams.
After today's examinations, my class had a O-Level Physics Science Practical Assessment (SPA). Right before that, we were in the supposed "Quarantine Zone" in the Biology Lab where we do our last revision and prepare for the upcoming assessment. Guess what happened during that period of time in there? Two jokers took out the distilled water spray and started to spray at a particular whiner. It was rather chaotic. Quite number of people got caught in the "Crossfire" and got hit by the water. Imagine spraying water across two benches. I happened to be in the vicinity and also got hit. I was rather annoyed at the playful jokers who seemed to not stop. I gave them a cold stare, indicating them to stop everything. They got part of my point and was sorry for accidentally spraying on "innocent parties" such as me. However, they did not stop the water assault on the guy they always pick on for fun. ("Picked on" does not mean real bad bullying. We all take him as a friend. Although he's really a big whiner.) I didn't bother to say anything more and continued my revision. Then judgement came. The Head of Department for Science saw part of the episode and came in. You know what happened next.
"Those who played with the Distilled Water Spray come out now. If you have done it, have the guts to admit it."
The atmosphere was so tense... One immediately admitted.
"Only one? No... I saw everything. Have the guts to come out. Who's the chairman? Ah... Yes, you must have seen everything. Tell me, who else?"
Awkward silence.
"Who else?"
The chairman unwillingly pointed the other one.
"Yes, who else?"
Then he pointed out the "victim".
"There are leaders in this class. Chairman, the class committee, councillors. Yet no one stopped this? You will not take the SPA until after the last shift is over and everyone of you will write a statement on what happened. If I'd make you stay till 5pm, 6pm, I will."
Then things finally calmed down for awhile as the two culprits got dragged outside for serious lecturing and they allowed the SPA to continue as per normal for the rest of us. During the SPA itself, I was thinking whether I should blame those two for ruining the entire class' day. I reached the conclusion of NO. The teacher was right. We should've stopped them. It's not that we think that we need not be responsible for other's action but rather we think that they are just screwing around like usual and have no need to stop them. The entire class should bear the responsibility as a class. And too, there's no need to blame anyone. Not those who played a fool, not those who added into the fire, not those who didn't care. Not anyone of us. We should all learn from this experience and forgive one another. Though the day was already ruined, and there's nothing we can do about it.
I must give my deepest apologies to my faithful readers wherever you are, as I've not posted much and anything at all these few days. The Mid-Year Examinations have officially started yesterday and I've took 2 papers already by the end of today. It will be a busy fortnight for me so I too will not post much because I will be concentrating on revising and preparing for the exams.
After today's examinations, my class had a O-Level Physics Science Practical Assessment (SPA). Right before that, we were in the supposed "Quarantine Zone" in the Biology Lab where we do our last revision and prepare for the upcoming assessment. Guess what happened during that period of time in there? Two jokers took out the distilled water spray and started to spray at a particular whiner. It was rather chaotic. Quite number of people got caught in the "Crossfire" and got hit by the water. Imagine spraying water across two benches. I happened to be in the vicinity and also got hit. I was rather annoyed at the playful jokers who seemed to not stop. I gave them a cold stare, indicating them to stop everything. They got part of my point and was sorry for accidentally spraying on "innocent parties" such as me. However, they did not stop the water assault on the guy they always pick on for fun. ("Picked on" does not mean real bad bullying. We all take him as a friend. Although he's really a big whiner.) I didn't bother to say anything more and continued my revision. Then judgement came. The Head of Department for Science saw part of the episode and came in. You know what happened next.
"Those who played with the Distilled Water Spray come out now. If you have done it, have the guts to admit it."
The atmosphere was so tense... One immediately admitted.
"Only one? No... I saw everything. Have the guts to come out. Who's the chairman? Ah... Yes, you must have seen everything. Tell me, who else?"
Awkward silence.
"Who else?"
The chairman unwillingly pointed the other one.
"Yes, who else?"
Then he pointed out the "victim".
"There are leaders in this class. Chairman, the class committee, councillors. Yet no one stopped this? You will not take the SPA until after the last shift is over and everyone of you will write a statement on what happened. If I'd make you stay till 5pm, 6pm, I will."
Then things finally calmed down for awhile as the two culprits got dragged outside for serious lecturing and they allowed the SPA to continue as per normal for the rest of us. During the SPA itself, I was thinking whether I should blame those two for ruining the entire class' day. I reached the conclusion of NO. The teacher was right. We should've stopped them. It's not that we think that we need not be responsible for other's action but rather we think that they are just screwing around like usual and have no need to stop them. The entire class should bear the responsibility as a class. And too, there's no need to blame anyone. Not those who played a fool, not those who added into the fire, not those who didn't care. Not anyone of us. We should all learn from this experience and forgive one another. Though the day was already ruined, and there's nothing we can do about it.
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