I have been exposed to British things since I was born. I moved to Serangoon Gardens, a suburb whose street names are British. I remember having learnt to bake Queen Cakes, Butterfly Cakes, Sardine Sandwiches and Victoria Sandwich Cake during Home Economics class in secondary school. These are essentially British food. I remember seeing one of the Art teachers wearing a hat to school. It made her unique from the rest of the school teachers, and she did it with such finesse. She was not conscious of being the only one to do so. Somehow it seemed to fit her hairdo too :) Since Singapore was a British colony, my first language is English, whose written version follows that of British English.
My exposure escalated as I embarked on my English Literature degree. The works I studied had British texts and where more suitable to get the degree from than the University of London? My favourite authors were Alexander Pope, Richard Sheridan, William Blake, John Keats, Oscar Wilde and Lord Alfred Tennyson. I also got to study the history of England, which still fascinates me even till today.
Graduating was not the end of English Literature for me. The degree only served to boost my love for the English authors. I have a nostalgic feeling for the English poets and have developed a fanaticism for Jane Austen, especially her characters of the Darcys. Agatha Christie and her detectives is also a favourite of mine. I love even more British television programmes, both in quantity and quality. My favourite accent is definitely the British accent. It sounds very cultured to me.
I have gone to England four times now but it was the most recent trip that caused my passion to overflow. I got to finally go to Bath which is associated with Austen. As a result of this trip, I have cultivated a love for English country cottage decor, my latest craze. I have also relished in the delights of English fashion and food. In my journey of appreciation, I have discovered that my exposure to the latter is far greater than I thought. I remember having eaten Quality Sweets, Butterscotch sauce and Peach Melba with ecstasy as a young girl.My second trip was a catalyst for tennis as one of my favourite sport to watch. I had been a spectator at The Queen's Club for a Stella Artois Tennis tournament. Watching it 'live' had me blown away, as I soaked in the atmosphere.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Reading - convenience versus real pleasure
This is my second entry on e-books versus real books, but the former has become so dominant in people's lives that it brings a fear to my loyalist heart that beats for the latter.
Parents nowadays are already exposing their young kids to the former. Granted, the kids are still enjoying the reading and learning process. However, they don't have the opportunity to fully do so.
I agree with the article by Huang Huifen. The e-book may make it easier for parents to ensure their kids are occupied but the reader of the e-book is not the parent. As a result, there is not enough bonding between the family members. It is as if the kids are merely watching a movie. I do acknowledge the benefit of the interactive games that will help the kids better understand the story though. At the same time, there are other ways to occupy the kids. Parents can give them colouring/activity books, jigsaw puzzles or building blocks/playdough. These toys enhance the creative and mental aspects of the kids' development, far better alternatives to a technological option.
Indeed, real books spark the kids' sensory development through the accompanying features of sound and touch complementing their understanding of the world around them. This form of development is more important to their growth, since it is the most basic one. Also, it is chilling to note that older kids' imaginative skills are compromised due to e-books. The novel and poetry industries will have fewer outstanding writers to come as a result. How will traditional literature continue to survive through the ages? On a note which is closer to home, it is no wonder that the essay content of kids in school suffer. The plots they come up with are too simple, since e-books unfold the plots for them with the interactive features.
I am impressed by a parent who uses both tools to teach her kids the English language. Most parents nowadays use just the e-book. Another parent really hit the nail on its head by saying that reading real books teaches patience. To add on, it enhances the real pleasure of reading via increasing the anticipation of how the plot will proceed. For this to occur though, the power of the language used must be potent enough; the descriptions of the settings and the emotions of the characters must 'speak' so convincingly to the reader that he becomes part of the story and can't wait to live it out.
Parents nowadays are already exposing their young kids to the former. Granted, the kids are still enjoying the reading and learning process. However, they don't have the opportunity to fully do so.
I agree with the article by Huang Huifen. The e-book may make it easier for parents to ensure their kids are occupied but the reader of the e-book is not the parent. As a result, there is not enough bonding between the family members. It is as if the kids are merely watching a movie. I do acknowledge the benefit of the interactive games that will help the kids better understand the story though. At the same time, there are other ways to occupy the kids. Parents can give them colouring/activity books, jigsaw puzzles or building blocks/playdough. These toys enhance the creative and mental aspects of the kids' development, far better alternatives to a technological option.
Indeed, real books spark the kids' sensory development through the accompanying features of sound and touch complementing their understanding of the world around them. This form of development is more important to their growth, since it is the most basic one. Also, it is chilling to note that older kids' imaginative skills are compromised due to e-books. The novel and poetry industries will have fewer outstanding writers to come as a result. How will traditional literature continue to survive through the ages? On a note which is closer to home, it is no wonder that the essay content of kids in school suffer. The plots they come up with are too simple, since e-books unfold the plots for them with the interactive features.
I am impressed by a parent who uses both tools to teach her kids the English language. Most parents nowadays use just the e-book. Another parent really hit the nail on its head by saying that reading real books teaches patience. To add on, it enhances the real pleasure of reading via increasing the anticipation of how the plot will proceed. For this to occur though, the power of the language used must be potent enough; the descriptions of the settings and the emotions of the characters must 'speak' so convincingly to the reader that he becomes part of the story and can't wait to live it out.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Dressing according to age
Women are advised to wear what is appropriate for their age range. According to Urban, those in their 20s are to wear preppy designs, those in their 30s are to wear ladylike outfits and those in their 40s are to wear classic, clean lines.
I am in my 30s and this suggested trend appeals to me, since I love feminine clothes. However, I dread the time I reach 40 years old and above. The suggested trend seems too plain for my liking. Now I understand better the reason why a participant on How Do I Look protested against some of the clean lines her accomplices chose for her. If those outfits have feminine details, I will not mind it so much. Hence, I plucked up the courage to try on a tube dress for the first time. Though I am not used to wearing it, knowing that I have at least tried to wear it is satisfying. I used to find ruffles too girly, even for me. However, I just bought a feminine blouse with ruffles on the front and Georgian-like sleeves. :)
Also, my age range is one where I can look "naturally beautiful" with makeup, unlike the earlier range which has a fun makeup look and the coming range which shows one's lines more clearly. I love natural makeup, that which brings out my natural looks. Thus, I go for sparkly eyeshadow in pastel shades and pink itself.
I feel as if I am really in the best age range of my life, based on these revelations. :D My fashion tastes have certainly changed with the passing of time. They have become much more feminine and I love the evolution!
I am in my 30s and this suggested trend appeals to me, since I love feminine clothes. However, I dread the time I reach 40 years old and above. The suggested trend seems too plain for my liking. Now I understand better the reason why a participant on How Do I Look protested against some of the clean lines her accomplices chose for her. If those outfits have feminine details, I will not mind it so much. Hence, I plucked up the courage to try on a tube dress for the first time. Though I am not used to wearing it, knowing that I have at least tried to wear it is satisfying. I used to find ruffles too girly, even for me. However, I just bought a feminine blouse with ruffles on the front and Georgian-like sleeves. :)
Also, my age range is one where I can look "naturally beautiful" with makeup, unlike the earlier range which has a fun makeup look and the coming range which shows one's lines more clearly. I love natural makeup, that which brings out my natural looks. Thus, I go for sparkly eyeshadow in pastel shades and pink itself.
I feel as if I am really in the best age range of my life, based on these revelations. :D My fashion tastes have certainly changed with the passing of time. They have become much more feminine and I love the evolution!
Friday, August 27, 2010
Singapore's unappreciated "tourist attractions"
Jamie Yeo's blog mentioned a few shopping malls in Singapore that she doesn't like. I don't really agree with most of the ones on that list of hers.
Lucky Plaza may not be good for shopping due to unscrupulous shopkeepers who cheat customers of their money, but it houses good Asian food. It is very well-known for Filipino food and also Indonesian food. Minang House, Resto Surabaya and President are three outlets which serve really good Indonesian dishes.
People's Park Complex has a huge shop which sells beauty and skin products that are uncommon. I was trying to look for a particular brand of soap and after looking all over the island, I finally found it at this shop.
Parkway Parade is one of my favourite malls. The huge Borders is the highlight for me and the service staff at Jack's Place are really friendly. As a regular customer, I am blessed to have them know exactly what I want to order each time I go there :) Jamie Yeo mentioned the parking problem in its carpark. For those who are not in the know, there are spaces in the areas of P5 and P6. They aren't too far off from the entrance to the mall. Yes, I like the Cold Storage outlet. There is a bakery in it that sells absolutely luscious Lemon Lust, a type of pastry with lemon curd. It is tangy in taste; sweet and sour at the same time. There are also outlets like Famous Amos and Auntie Anne's. Giant is also there. Some other favourite outlets of mine are Pastamania, Isetan, Four Leaves, Banquet foodcourt, Best Denki and Harvey Norman.
Lucky Plaza may not be good for shopping due to unscrupulous shopkeepers who cheat customers of their money, but it houses good Asian food. It is very well-known for Filipino food and also Indonesian food. Minang House, Resto Surabaya and President are three outlets which serve really good Indonesian dishes.
People's Park Complex has a huge shop which sells beauty and skin products that are uncommon. I was trying to look for a particular brand of soap and after looking all over the island, I finally found it at this shop.
Parkway Parade is one of my favourite malls. The huge Borders is the highlight for me and the service staff at Jack's Place are really friendly. As a regular customer, I am blessed to have them know exactly what I want to order each time I go there :) Jamie Yeo mentioned the parking problem in its carpark. For those who are not in the know, there are spaces in the areas of P5 and P6. They aren't too far off from the entrance to the mall. Yes, I like the Cold Storage outlet. There is a bakery in it that sells absolutely luscious Lemon Lust, a type of pastry with lemon curd. It is tangy in taste; sweet and sour at the same time. There are also outlets like Famous Amos and Auntie Anne's. Giant is also there. Some other favourite outlets of mine are Pastamania, Isetan, Four Leaves, Banquet foodcourt, Best Denki and Harvey Norman.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
The effects of Facebook
Facebook is not only popular with students but also with their parents. The reasons are varied. Some parents are truly curious about the fad and its attractions. Other parents are worried about their children and want to keep tabs on them via this website. I may not be a parent but I am a teacher. As such, I do see things from the latter's perspective.
If Facebook is merely used to play game applications and chat with existing friends, the harm is not so great, though the exception is when violent games like Mafia Wars become part of the students' realities. The danger lies where there is acceptance of friend requests from strangers, despite the fact that the strangers may be friends of the students' friends, or where their privacy settings are not edited such that malicious strangers are privy to their profiles. This is especially rampant in America and a movie was made on it. This girl went to a chat channel out of curiosity and almost fell prey to a paedophile, if not for her mother's intervention.
Another type of danger is where they click on third-party applications which may unknowingly contain computer viruses that can either wreck their computer systems, or capture their personal information without their permission and cause their accounts to be hacked into. These third-party applications may also conceal pornographic or unhealthy links.
Of course, I understand why there is irritation in some students when their posts or comments are misinterpreted. They are done out of fun but as a conservative person, I frown upon them. Ever since a friend of mine talked to me about it, I have not been so rigid about it.
The writer of a letter on this topic mentioned how his parents insult his friends. I really hope it was not done on Facebook itself. That would be a big taboo. At the same time, parents would rather keep tabs on their children online because there is a possibility that the children would lie should they be asked. Also, parents are worried about the friends their children make because they don't want their children to get hurt from having made the wrong ones. It is out of love that they show anxiety. As a teenager, I was irritated when my mother kept telling me that my best friend was not a good person. I felt she did not understand my best friend. However, her instincts were correct. I fell out with my best friend and it got so bad that the principal was called into the picture. Through it all, my mother was with me and she was kind enough not to say, "I told you so."
Still, I concur with his view that parents should educate their children about the dangers of the Internet prior to allowing them to use it. Perhaps it would be a good idea if the computer were to be placed in the living room where the parents can subtly supervise their children's Internet habits.
If Facebook is merely used to play game applications and chat with existing friends, the harm is not so great, though the exception is when violent games like Mafia Wars become part of the students' realities. The danger lies where there is acceptance of friend requests from strangers, despite the fact that the strangers may be friends of the students' friends, or where their privacy settings are not edited such that malicious strangers are privy to their profiles. This is especially rampant in America and a movie was made on it. This girl went to a chat channel out of curiosity and almost fell prey to a paedophile, if not for her mother's intervention.
Another type of danger is where they click on third-party applications which may unknowingly contain computer viruses that can either wreck their computer systems, or capture their personal information without their permission and cause their accounts to be hacked into. These third-party applications may also conceal pornographic or unhealthy links.
Of course, I understand why there is irritation in some students when their posts or comments are misinterpreted. They are done out of fun but as a conservative person, I frown upon them. Ever since a friend of mine talked to me about it, I have not been so rigid about it.
The writer of a letter on this topic mentioned how his parents insult his friends. I really hope it was not done on Facebook itself. That would be a big taboo. At the same time, parents would rather keep tabs on their children online because there is a possibility that the children would lie should they be asked. Also, parents are worried about the friends their children make because they don't want their children to get hurt from having made the wrong ones. It is out of love that they show anxiety. As a teenager, I was irritated when my mother kept telling me that my best friend was not a good person. I felt she did not understand my best friend. However, her instincts were correct. I fell out with my best friend and it got so bad that the principal was called into the picture. Through it all, my mother was with me and she was kind enough not to say, "I told you so."
Still, I concur with his view that parents should educate their children about the dangers of the Internet prior to allowing them to use it. Perhaps it would be a good idea if the computer were to be placed in the living room where the parents can subtly supervise their children's Internet habits.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Singapore's first casino
A report on how Singaporeans as well as foreigners have been affected by this new attraction, was featured. There were initial problems on its first day but these are in the process of being resolved. For example, signs warning patrons about a long waiting time have been put up to counter the unexpected waiting period of 2 hours on the first day. Also, the food outlets are now open at all times as opposed to those who could not provide enough food then.
The negative effects are the way some Singaporeans exhibit such extreme xenophobia and the addiction some foreign visitors show towards gambling in the casino, to the extent that they leave their children outside the casino for a long period of time while they indulge.
The views of some locals towards the presence of foreign workers in the casino repulses me to no end. The possibility that they lose their hard-earned money is not the business of the locals. In the first place, do they truly care about that or is that just an excuse conjured to oppose the presence of the workers?
A few locals find it unfair that they are charged $100 as an entrance fee while the workers are exempted from it. This fee is really for our own good. It is our government's way of looking out for us. It deters us from getting addicted to the vice. Perhaps they are getting addicted and hence complain about it? A comment that bigger players a.k.a those who fork out a lot of money gambling, should be catered more to, confirms my previous statement.
They are also unhappy about the workers taking too many drinks. The drinks are free and so any patron has the right to take as many as he wants. The casino has clarified this point. I think the locals are just being prejudiced towards the foreign workers. I do not hear them complaining about the foreign tourists. Besides, there are locals who exhibit bad behaviour as well. Some local gamblers verbally express themselves in such a way as to cause more civilized patrons to cringe. The complainers really know how to choose their battles.
Thank goodness there are also mature locals who feel differently. The casino is for anyone who meets the requirements imposed on its guests, regardless of nationality. The foreign workers work very hard for their families and need to find ways to take breaks from their tiring jobs, so as to reenergise themselves. Why make it difficult for them by such complaints? The spokesman from the casino said something which summarises things best. He implied that foreign workers are the foundation stones beneath our buildings, specifically the IRs. In this case, there is no reason for us to be so biased towards them.
Some foreign patrons regard gambling as more important than their own flesh and blood. It can be that this vice has a very strong grip on its addicts but I prefer to believe that their self-discipline is sorely lacking. The worse thing is that some children have no adult to look after them. If anything should happen to them, it is the parents' fault. It is heartbreaking to read about them feeling bored and only coming alive whenever performances are held. In order to pass time, some played with the plants nearby. Can anyone blame them? They are forced to wait till night in some cases. Thankfully, RWS has included a kids' club to cater to such cases. :)
The negative effects are the way some Singaporeans exhibit such extreme xenophobia and the addiction some foreign visitors show towards gambling in the casino, to the extent that they leave their children outside the casino for a long period of time while they indulge.
The views of some locals towards the presence of foreign workers in the casino repulses me to no end. The possibility that they lose their hard-earned money is not the business of the locals. In the first place, do they truly care about that or is that just an excuse conjured to oppose the presence of the workers?
A few locals find it unfair that they are charged $100 as an entrance fee while the workers are exempted from it. This fee is really for our own good. It is our government's way of looking out for us. It deters us from getting addicted to the vice. Perhaps they are getting addicted and hence complain about it? A comment that bigger players a.k.a those who fork out a lot of money gambling, should be catered more to, confirms my previous statement.
They are also unhappy about the workers taking too many drinks. The drinks are free and so any patron has the right to take as many as he wants. The casino has clarified this point. I think the locals are just being prejudiced towards the foreign workers. I do not hear them complaining about the foreign tourists. Besides, there are locals who exhibit bad behaviour as well. Some local gamblers verbally express themselves in such a way as to cause more civilized patrons to cringe. The complainers really know how to choose their battles.
Thank goodness there are also mature locals who feel differently. The casino is for anyone who meets the requirements imposed on its guests, regardless of nationality. The foreign workers work very hard for their families and need to find ways to take breaks from their tiring jobs, so as to reenergise themselves. Why make it difficult for them by such complaints? The spokesman from the casino said something which summarises things best. He implied that foreign workers are the foundation stones beneath our buildings, specifically the IRs. In this case, there is no reason for us to be so biased towards them.
Some foreign patrons regard gambling as more important than their own flesh and blood. It can be that this vice has a very strong grip on its addicts but I prefer to believe that their self-discipline is sorely lacking. The worse thing is that some children have no adult to look after them. If anything should happen to them, it is the parents' fault. It is heartbreaking to read about them feeling bored and only coming alive whenever performances are held. In order to pass time, some played with the plants nearby. Can anyone blame them? They are forced to wait till night in some cases. Thankfully, RWS has included a kids' club to cater to such cases. :)
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Shopping malls
Rohit Brijnath wrote an article on how he prefers the old way of shopping ie. wet markets and small shops. It strikes a poignant note with me, as I am a nostalgic person as well. He mentions shops which sell bales of fabric amongst others. Toa Payoh is the place I always think of with regards to these shops. They have been there from the time I was a toddler.
At the same time, he injects humour and original descriptions into his article. He is a riot to read :) I agree with his rant over the lack of seats in malls. Sometimes, visual and physical fatigue takes over after a long time of browsing. That is when we really long to rest our legs. Just as he knows men who like malls, my god-brother likes to shop in them too :)
I feel poignant whenever I walk past the wet market in my estate too. My mum used to take me to the wet market whenever she needed to prepare for the day's meals. I remember covering my nostrils whenever we walked past the fish stall. I could never stand the smell of uncooked fish and still cannot. I remember anticipating the end of her purchases as that would indicate her walk to the barbecued pork food stall to buy barbecued spare ribs for me. That was my favourite snack. I have not eaten it ever since I was a child. Perhaps it is a subconscious way of retaining the sweet memories associated with it, albeit in an different way. It is as if I don't want to touch their precious fragility and want to encase them in a glass dome forever, afraid that they will disappear if I approach them again. It is like wanting time to stand still.
He yearns for real interaction and friendship between customer and salesperson in the said industry. Yes, it is a rarity being able to gain such a genuineness, since most salespeople merely do their job of selling the product to the consumers. I am blessed to have had got this in a shop at Centrepoint. I entered the shop to look at the clothes but ended up falling into easy conversation with the salesperson. That was the start of a special friendship despite our different races. I would drop in each time I went to the mall, since she was the only one there. We are still friends to this day :)
At the same time, he injects humour and original descriptions into his article. He is a riot to read :) I agree with his rant over the lack of seats in malls. Sometimes, visual and physical fatigue takes over after a long time of browsing. That is when we really long to rest our legs. Just as he knows men who like malls, my god-brother likes to shop in them too :)
I feel poignant whenever I walk past the wet market in my estate too. My mum used to take me to the wet market whenever she needed to prepare for the day's meals. I remember covering my nostrils whenever we walked past the fish stall. I could never stand the smell of uncooked fish and still cannot. I remember anticipating the end of her purchases as that would indicate her walk to the barbecued pork food stall to buy barbecued spare ribs for me. That was my favourite snack. I have not eaten it ever since I was a child. Perhaps it is a subconscious way of retaining the sweet memories associated with it, albeit in an different way. It is as if I don't want to touch their precious fragility and want to encase them in a glass dome forever, afraid that they will disappear if I approach them again. It is like wanting time to stand still.
He yearns for real interaction and friendship between customer and salesperson in the said industry. Yes, it is a rarity being able to gain such a genuineness, since most salespeople merely do their job of selling the product to the consumers. I am blessed to have had got this in a shop at Centrepoint. I entered the shop to look at the clothes but ended up falling into easy conversation with the salesperson. That was the start of a special friendship despite our different races. I would drop in each time I went to the mall, since she was the only one there. We are still friends to this day :)
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