Schools

I'm in the office now, there's nothing much to do, so I'm up here finding something to write to while away my time before the reporters actually dig something for me to do.

A good website I'd like to recommend:
http://betterboyfriend.blogspot.com
Witty and interesting. Wish I could write as boldly as she does, but maybe not, since she uses a lot of explicits. One sentence I found unusually interesting was:

"You can be a better boyfriend, but it, like anything in life worth being, requires work. Until next time, clip your finger nails, make sure there's no dirt underneath them. And call your mom, you thoughtless asshole. Do you know she squeezed you OUT OF HER VAGINA?"

You know what, that's absolutely true, but I never noticed it was correct, especially the part about the vagina thing. Good point!

There was something else in the blog that I liked too. The blogger said something about how we should tell everyone that we loved how much we loved them! If everyone did so the world would be a better place. I agree fully. Perhaps it's because I haven't had the experience, but I really can't see why it's so difficult to stand up to someone and say, Hey I like you, can we be friends? I know it may come across as a little strong or even a little strange some times, but if we could tell all those we loved that we love them everyday, and give everyone a little hug or kiss daily, the world would be a friendlier place. Christmas is coming, perhaps we should pick up the habit.

But enough about the blog, go read it if you're interested! I'd like to speak about the widely debated topic of the 'elite' school issue.

Being from an 'elite' school myself, as most of my reads (aka my friends) are, I have to agree with Dr. Lee Wei Ling that we tend to be very sheltered most of the time. Though I would agree that my family is comfortable financially, we're not at the top of the rung when it comes to wealth (not even near, I'd say), but my family and other families from MGS still live very different lives from people who study from neighbourhood students.

I must confess I do not have a very deep understanding to the 'heartland' way of life, though admittedly I grew up in an HDB area, Bukit Batok, and I had a wonderful time there. Unfortunately my parents moved our family to a condominium at Hume Ave, where we now live, when we were 9, and hence I have little recollection of the 'heartland' way of life, having not really experienced it. I have attended 'elite' schools since young, beginning at Nanyang Primary School, proceeding to the the Independent Methodist Girls School as well as Hwa Chong Institution, which is also an Independent Institution.

In all my 11 years of education, I've never seen anyone needing to work and study at the same time. 99% of my friends' families own one car and above, and those whose familes don't own cars are definitely able to afford one. Most come from complete families, live comfortably in condominiums or better and can afford the bills from the occasional shopping trip at middle-income boutiques or higher, for example Topshop or Zara and etc. Our native language is English, and not mandarin which we are vaguely aware is our official mother tongue, nor, worse still, Singlish. I'm not saying all this to brag about our 'privileged' background, because I begin to realise, after meeting some new friends who may not be well-endowed financially as I assumed and imagined everyone was, that we're in fact so sheltered and naive.

We forget that there are actually students around us who need to juggle work and studies. We don't know what it is like to eat at coffee shops or food centres because of a tight budget. We need to realise that there are people who actually have difficulty keeping up during lessons, or who are unable to follow the pace at which subjects are being taught. This is what we all forget, being under shelter for so long.

Unlike Ms. Lee, I'm not going to admit that going to a neighbourhood school will solve all these problems. Although it may be the environment that nurtures a student's interests and thought processes, forcing bright students (we are now assuming that students with high scores are bright) to attend neighbourhood schools might have negative effects (though of course, Ms Lee did not suggest anything like this). Ultimately, he or she might be able to help his or her fellow school mates, and if the plan works out effectively, he or she will be able to work hard and still outdo his or her peers. If, unfortunately, the plan fails, the student may find him or herself losing the motivation and competitiveness that is inherent in every elite school student, and thus under-performing eventually.

It is important to highlight that elite schools aren't that sheltered after all as well. As Lindsay Lohan in her movie "Mean Girls" put it, the school is like a jungle, where you're either the prey or the predator. Instead of providing an insight to the different communities in society, another basic survival instinct is provoked- competition. Competition is highly intense in elite schools, and there are positive and negative traits to such an environment. It helps greatly if one is intelligent, but even more so if one has a never-say-die attitude to everything (I'd never suggest that someone attends an elite school unless he or she has an undying spirit, and/or is unusually bright). I am one who believes very strongly that one's determination is closely linked to one's ability to perform in one's studies, and it does help a great deal to have someone who's at the same capacity to pace and compete. Of course, others may have different opinions about the priorities in education. But for me, the harnassing of a strong is what I think I have gained most from studying in elite schools.

Indeed, everyone is made and brought up differently, and the decision lies, ultimately, on the individual to decide if he or she would perform better in an elite or neighbourhood school. While I imagine that I probably wouldn't do as well as I did or am doing in a less challenging school, some others may prefer to work without competition.

But, oh well, to each his own.

BORED

From Joyce. I'm REALLY bored. SLAP I should be working hard.

You Are 4 Years Old

Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

OOPS!

All American Kid

Popular but not plastic. Athletic but not a jock. Smart but not a brain. You were well rounded and well liked in high school.

Who Were You In High School?

I think so too. Hopefully hahaha.

You Should Get a JD (Juris Doctor)

You're logical, driven, and ruthless.You'd make a mighty fine lawyer.

What Advanced Degree Should You Get?

Seriously??? I was just thinking of giving up on law.

Your Animal Personality

Your Power Animal: Eagle Animal You Were in a Past Life: Whale You are active, a challenger, and optimistic.Hard-working, you are always working towards a set goal.

The Animal Personality Test

OK, not bad.

What Your Underwear Says About You

You've washed your underwear so many times, you don't know what color it used to be. You're comfortable in your own skin - and don't care to impress anyone.

The Underwear Oracle

I beg to disagree!!!!! My underwear is orange!!!

Your Seduction Style: Prized Object

The seduction game you play is tried, true, and still effective: hard to get.You know that the best seducers turn the tables - and get their crush to seduce them.The one running has the power, and you're a challenge that is worth the chase. You are a master of enticing and pulling back. Giving a little and taking some away.You are controlled enough to know rewards come after a long seduction dance.Even though you want to call, email, or say "I love you" first - you don't! You're style is the perfect mix of hot and cold - so much so that you have many suitors.Think Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's ... or any of those creepy guys from the Bachelor.You're skilled at inspiring a chase. The real test is picking the person to slow down for.

What Kind of Seducer Are You?

GOODNESS HOLLY GOLIGHTLY FROM BREAKFAST AT TIFANNY'S WAS DAMN IRRITATING! Though pretty, I must add HAHAHA.

Your Personality Profile

You are elegant, withdrawn, and brilliant.Your mind is a weapon, able to solve any puzzle.You are also great at poking holes in arguments and common beliefs. For you, comfort and calm are very important.You tend to thrive on your own and shrug off most affection.You prefer to protect your emotions and stay strong.

The World's Shortest Personality Test

Oh gosh, this is not bad. Quite true.

Your Hidden Talent

Your natural talent is interpersonal relations and dealing with people.You communicate well and are able to bring disparate groups together.Your calming presence helps everything go more smoothly.People crave your praise and complements.

What's" Your Hidden Talent?

Seriously??! Don't think so...

You Are Internal - Realist - Empowered

You feel your life is controlled internally.If you want something, you make it happen.You don't wait around for things to go your way.You value your independence and don't like others to have control. You are a realist when it comes to luck.You don't attribute everything to luck, but you do know some things are random.You don't beat yourself up when bad things happen to you...But you do your best to try to make your own luck. You have a good deal of power, but you also know the pecking order.You realize that working the system does get you further.You know who to defer to and who to control.When it comes to the game of life, you play things flawlessly.

The Three Dimension Luck and Power Test

Hmm hahaha, yes.

This is addictive.

Your Inner Child Is Angry

You're not an angry person.But when you don't get your way, watch out.Like a very manipulative kid, you will get what you want.Even if it takes a little kicking and screaming.

How Is Your Inner Child?

NO?!

Your Birthdate: February 4

You have an extraordinary character - moral, responsible, and disciplined.Your sincerely and honesty shine through in almost every situation.Driven and focused, you rarely let your emotions get the better of you.You're level headed and rational. People count on your to look at things objectively. Your strength: Your unwavering loyalty and ethics Your weakness: Your rock solid stubbornness Your power color: Navy blue Your power symbol: Shield Your power month: April

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Gosh! This is quite true HAHHA.
Getting late, need to sleep!!!

How You Are In Love

You take a while to fall in love with someone. Trust takes time. You give completely and unconditionally in relationships. You tend to get very attached when you're with someone. You want to see your love all the time. You love your partner unconditionally and don't try to make them change. You stay in love for a long time, even if you aren't loved back. When you fall, you fall hard.

How Are You In Love?

Not a good sign.

OK SLEEP NOW.

Reflections

Now that I'm working in the Entertainment Section at a Chinese paper, I sometimes forget how whatever I write may be hurting some people. Not literally actually, since everything I've written so far is positive. I can't really bear writing anything that'll make people feel bad or depressed about themselves, much less malign them or write about something that they didn't do.

It perhaps only hit me how much hurt a reporter can actually cause to so many people when I read the report on Sammi recently. For those who don't know, which I safely assume is everyone, reporters actually took photos of Sammi in her house. A photo of the figure of a naked female bathing, which Sammi denies is herself, was taken too. While that 'female figure' could have been her maid, her mother, her sister or herself, it's absolutely terrible of the press to actually print these photos and circulate them joyously. For God's sake, what on earth is wrong for anybody to bathe naked?! She was in her OWN house no matter who that lady was, and what is WRONG with these people that you have to film a photo like this and tell everyone delightedly LOOK I HAVE A NAKED PHOTO ON MY HANDS are these people PERVERTED?!?! Do these people have feelings?! How would they feel if their MOTHERS or WIVES were photographed naked? Do they have a conscience?! What BEASTS they are!! Besides the horrible naked photo, they took photos of Sammi's mom buying food, her sister going home from work, and Sammi staring at the mirror, and they make it out to be as if Sammi was suicidal!!! I WOULD be suicidal if I were her by now!!

As a fan, I feel terrible as it is seeing these reports. It hurts and pains me absolutely to see someone I care for being tortured like this. She is trying to take a break for God's sake, LEAVE HER ALONE!!! Not only is her family suffering for no reason, all of us fans feel absolutely terrible watching ahmi undergoing such torture for God knows why.

But ahmi does not fail us. Instead of losing her temper, she wrote a deeply moving article for MingPaoWeekly, which gained the attention of all including Sandra Ng who was so impressed and touched by it she actually teared and read it out over the radio. Instead of and shouting foul words at the press which is what many uncultured artistes do these days, Sammi prefers to leave messages to us fans, who care the most for her, to comfort us. It's no wonder I love this girl. Her strength and courage is most encouraging to us, she's an inspiration. I know she'll never chance upon this article, but I think I'll just wanna let her know, and everyone who has been affected by the papparazzi's underhand doings that, all of us are there for you.

And this is what our beautiful Queen tells us:

Ladies and Gentleman in here, why u guys so....'gig hey' (angry)??? hahahhaaa......i am get use to it!!!!!! No need to spend time on those magazines!!! I want u guys happy, peace, sharing happiness, supportive in here!!!! hehehehhee....all of u like little kids.....hehhehehhee........and i am happy to take care and love u guys!!! ahhahahhaa.....ng hold no need to influence by the magazines. ahhahahahahahaa..........Mi didn't treat u guys la....u guys can see i am chatting with u guys in my bedroom, on my working table. But one thing, the shadow ( they clam ' a naked body in bath", but i really don't know what is the shadow is???? maybe it's just a clothes hanging there...hahahahahahahahahaha) is not MI (me).......choy ! choy! choy won gor hui!!! hahahhahahhaahhaa.....................Come on....Mi is happy as usual!! I hope u guys, too!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bad guy, don't angry, not good for your health! Mi only care peoples that i love!!!!

Isn't she the most wonderful woman on earth?
I'm interviewing her ex-boyfriend, Andy Hui on Sunday. For her sake I shall give him face and not ask embarrassing questions.